T5 actinic bulb confusion??

Lmecher · 01/27/2010, 11:51 AM

I am replacing my T5 tubes. I am confused which actinics to choose, 420nm or 460nm. Is there an advantage one has over the other. I need 2 for a 4 bulb fixture, should I get 1 of each? Going on a reef tank w/bta's and softies. I am very

any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

JNye · 01/27/2010, 12:00 PM

it prolly depends on the bulb/brand. i have seen 460 peak @ 435, so not sure why they label them as 460? i have also seen some marketed as 420/460? what i am saying its better to get reviews on the bulb from users, cause the labels/#s might not mean much. If you are looking for a blue bulb maybe just go with the popular ATI Blue Plus, very blue and high PAR.

Lmecher · 01/27/2010, 12:19 PM

Both made by Current.

FiReBReTHa · 01/27/2010, 12:21 PM

I have been playing with bulb combox for the past while from some old bulbs, (thanks bob!) To give me a color combo idea and last night I put in. 4x blue+ and loved it. Gets it back to being actinic. I am going to try tossing in 1x aquablue special and see how things go.

FiReBReTHa · 01/27/2010, 12:24 PM

420/460 were current usa's pc combo bulb. Was a pretty kick butt PC bulb

Lmecher · 01/27/2010, 12:32 PM

Dr F & S sells either 420 or 460, I am confused as to which to buy. If they offered a combo bulb that would make it easier. I am thinking I will order one of each and be done with it.

FiReBReTHa · 01/27/2010, 03:18 PM

The combo was pc bulbs not t5s.

420 light blue more growth
460 actinic blue more color pop.

I think feel free to correct me.

badazztealcobra · 01/27/2010, 03:39 PM

Personally, with a 4 bulb setup, I would have one actinic in there tops. You're losing out on too much PAR otherwise. I would say go with ATI Blue+ for one, and ATI Actinic 03 for the other if you really want some actinic.....

If it were mine, I would think 3 ATI Blue+ and 1 ATI Aquablue Special would give you plenty of blue with alot of PAR.... YMMV though.

Lmecher · 01/27/2010, 04:01 PM

Thanks

gig · 01/27/2010, 05:09 PM

I'd stick with ATI, UVL or Guiessman....the current bulbs are not that great, you get what you pay for

01/27/2010, 11:51 AM	#1
Lmecher Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,337	T5 actinic bulb confusion?? I am replacing my T5 tubes. I am confused which actinics to choose, 420nm or 460nm. Is there an advantage one has over the other. I need 2 for a 4 bulb fixture, should I get 1 of each? Going on a reef tank w/bta's and softies. I am very any help would be appreciated. Thanks

01/27/2010, 12:00 PM	#2
JNye Moved On Up Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lansing, IL Posts: 2,230	it prolly depends on the bulb/brand. i have seen 460 peak @ 435, so not sure why they label them as 460? i have also seen some marketed as 420/460? what i am saying its better to get reviews on the bulb from users, cause the labels/#s might not mean much. If you are looking for a blue bulb maybe just go with the popular ATI Blue Plus, very blue and high PAR. __________________ Joe Current Tank Info: it don't matter just don't bite it

01/27/2010, 12:21 PM	#4
FiReBReTHa Master Blaster! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 3,641	I have been playing with bulb combox for the past while from some old bulbs, (thanks bob!) To give me a color combo idea and last night I put in. 4x blue+ and loved it. Gets it back to being actinic. I am going to try tossing in 1x aquablue special and see how things go. __________________ 120g Rimless •Rimless Aquarium Club Member• •ATB Club Member• •Ecotech Vortech Member• Current Tank Info: 120g rimless

01/27/2010, 03:18 PM	#7
FiReBReTHa Master Blaster! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 3,641	The combo was pc bulbs not t5s. 420 light blue more growth 460 actinic blue more color pop. I think feel free to correct me. __________________ 120g Rimless •Rimless Aquarium Club Member• •ATB Club Member• •Ecotech Vortech Member• Current Tank Info: 120g rimless

01/27/2010, 03:39 PM	#8
badazztealcobra Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Streamwood, IL Posts: 7,394	Personally, with a 4 bulb setup, I would have one actinic in there tops. You're losing out on too much PAR otherwise. I would say go with ATI Blue+ for one, and ATI Actinic 03 for the other if you really want some actinic..... If it were mine, I would think 3 ATI Blue+ and 1 ATI Aquablue Special would give you plenty of blue with alot of PAR.... YMMV though. __________________ Currently in between tanks at the moment... Planning my next project... "Not using a quarantine tank is like playing Russian roulette. Nobody wins the game, some people just get to play longer th

01/27/2010, 12:19 PM	#3
Lmecher Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,337	Both made by Current.

01/27/2010, 12:24 PM	#5
FiReBReTHa Master Blaster! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 3,641	420/460 were current usa's pc combo bulb. Was a pretty kick butt PC bulb

01/27/2010, 12:32 PM	#6
Lmecher Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,337	Dr F & S sells either 420 or 460, I am confused as to which to buy. If they offered a combo bulb that would make it easier. I am thinking I will order one of each and be done with it.

01/27/2010, 04:01 PM	#9
Lmecher Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,337	Thanks

01/27/2010, 05:09 PM	#10
gig Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hawthorn Woods, IL Posts: 3,003	I'd stick with ATI, UVL or Guiessman....the current bulbs are not that great, you get what you pay for __________________ It's ILLIE!!!!!!!!!!! Current Tank Info: Current Tank Info: 180G RR in wall mixed reef moving toward SPS dominated (247 gal total system), 300lbs+ LR, VHO/T5 mix of lighting, X3 MP40w ES.