VHO bulb color... Whats the difference between these two?

Saltcity · 02/23/2010, 09:22 AM

I'm buying some extra VHO bulbs and I can't find any info on the difference in color for the Aquasun bulb and the Actinic white bulb?

Any suggestions on bulbs to use in an 8 bulb set-up to get a nice color between 14K and 18K? White with a tinge of blue...

Pics?

falconut · 02/23/2010, 09:53 AM

I have the Aquasun bulb and it has a definite pink tint to it. I was told it is the highest PAR bulb of the URI bulbs. I believe that the Actinic white bulb is a 50/50 bulb, half Aquasun and Super Actinic.

The Super Actinic will give you the blue/purple color but doesn't have a brightness about it. I have used two of them to supplement my (2) 250 Watt MH's and it did a nice job. They also have a Actinic 454 bulb, which is supposed to be blue.

I imagine that with 8 bulbs, you could mix them up and come up with a color that you like. You could call URI and ask them. They have descent customer service.

Saltcity · 02/23/2010, 09:59 AM

Ok thanks! Pink is not what I'm going after... lol

I havent seen the 454 bulb anywhere yet....

jimsplace · 02/23/2010, 11:31 AM

I have an all VHO system with 4 bulbs (110w x 4 = 440w) and am running 2 actinic white, 1 03 super actinic and 1 454 and the tank color looks similar to a 20k MH. You can check out my pics on my home page. The 454 will add a lot more blue than the 03's. I would probably try something like 2 or 3 03 super actinics with 1 454 and the rest actinic whites. I would be afraid 2 454's would add too much blue.

Anemonebuff · 02/23/2010, 11:38 AM

Actinic white is 12K(pink) and Aquasun is 10K(white).

TurboGuru · 02/23/2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anemonebuff

Actinic white is 12K(pink) and Aquasun is 10K(white).

Actually vice versa IME. The Aquasun 10k was pink, and the actinic white 12k was white. I love the blue from the 454. The Super-actinic is too purple to be by itself IMHO, but it really makes colors pop.

HTH,
Joe

Saltcity · 02/23/2010, 02:26 PM

Well, I just ordered 4 more extra bulbs from hellolights so I should have plenty to play around with the color!! Thanks for all the help!

02/23/2010, 09:22 AM	#1
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	VHO bulb color... Whats the difference between these two? I'm buying some extra VHO bulbs and I can't find any info on the difference in color for the Aquasun bulb and the Actinic white bulb? Any suggestions on bulbs to use in an 8 bulb set-up to get a nice color between 14K and 18K? White with a tinge of blue... Pics?

02/23/2010, 11:31 AM	#4
jimsplace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 633	I have an all VHO system with 4 bulbs (110w x 4 = 440w) and am running 2 actinic white, 1 03 super actinic and 1 454 and the tank color looks similar to a 20k MH. You can check out my pics on my home page. The 454 will add a lot more blue than the 03's. I would probably try something like 2 or 3 03 super actinics with 1 454 and the rest actinic whites. I would be afraid 2 454's would add too much blue. __________________ Jim Current Tank Information; - 90 Gallon DT / 30 Gallon Sump - SPS Dominate - IC VHO Lighting

02/23/2010, 09:53 AM	#2
falconut Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blackwood, NJ Posts: 3,813	I have the Aquasun bulb and it has a definite pink tint to it. I was told it is the highest PAR bulb of the URI bulbs. I believe that the Actinic white bulb is a 50/50 bulb, half Aquasun and Super Actinic. The Super Actinic will give you the blue/purple color but doesn't have a brightness about it. I have used two of them to supplement my (2) 250 Watt MH's and it did a nice job. They also have a Actinic 454 bulb, which is supposed to be blue. I imagine that with 8 bulbs, you could mix them up and come up with a color that you like. You could call URI and ask them. They have descent customer service.

02/23/2010, 09:59 AM	#3
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	Ok thanks! Pink is not what I'm going after... lol I havent seen the 454 bulb anywhere yet....

02/23/2010, 11:38 AM	#5
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	Actinic white is 12K(pink) and Aquasun is 10K(white).

02/23/2010, 02:26 PM	#7
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	Well, I just ordered 4 more extra bulbs from hellolights so I should have plenty to play around with the color!! Thanks for all the help!