Need new PC bulbs...Where is best deal?

jarice1978 · 03/14/2006, 03:16 PM

I have not replaced my PC bulbs in about a year and a half. I am starting to pay for it. I have had a growing cyno(red slime) outbrake that has progressivly gotten worse over the last month. The question is, where can I get a good deal on PC bulbs?

I have 260 watt coralife system
--two 65 watt white
--two 65 watt blue

(I forget the "k" numbers!)

This is the lowest prices I have seen:

16.99 per bulb:

http://www.petmeister.com/item3469.htm

hopefully this is the correct white bulb!

And Blue:

16.99 per bulb:

http://www.petmeister.com/item2286.htm

what is the standard length of these types of bulbs? Some say 21" and some say 23"..

Thanks for your help

J

smleee · 03/14/2006, 03:41 PM

I'm not sure what brand those bulbs are but I would stick with name brands. I prefer Current.

On another note you probably want to use a 10,000k daylight bulb and not the 6,500k in the link you posted. I'd also suggest using a dual actinic bulb which peaks at both 420nm and 460nm.

I usually buy my bulbs from drsfostersmith.com or thatfishplace.com, whichever has the sale......

eee

Grace's Dad · 03/14/2006, 04:16 PM

True aqua brand are only 12.00 here.
You will want the 10Ks

http://www.innovativelights.com/65wapocobu.html

jarice1978 · 03/14/2006, 04:34 PM

Thanks. I will look into it. 12.00 sounds like a great price! Why are regular stores like "marindepot" and "petsolutions" selling them for so much more ($25 - 35)?

smleee · 03/14/2006, 04:37 PM

While True aqua may very well be a good bulb I've never heard of them or seen them mentioned here. It may or may not be a quality bulb; Grace's Dad, have you used them before?

eee

smleee · 03/14/2006, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jarice1978
Thanks. I will look into it. 12.00 sounds like a great price! Why are regular stores like "marindepot" and "petsolutions" selling them for so much more ($25 - 35)?

Well even from the innovativelights.com link, it has the Coralife bulbs right next to them for ~$25. Maybe post another thread on "True Aqua PC's" and see if they're any good?

eee

jarice1978 · 03/28/2006, 03:47 PM

Okay drfostersmith.com has a good deal on bulbs for the brand "Current" however I have a few more questions...

I have a Coralife Power Compact System with Coralife bulbs. drfostersmith.com has both "Current" and "Coralife" bulbs however there is one difference. The Current bulbs are 22'' and the Coralife bulbs are 21''. Will this cause a problem or will I just need to measure and make sure they fit?

Also, I plan on getting:
two 65 watt 10,000 k daylight bulbs
two 65 watt dual Actinic bulbs

However I saw that there is also a dual daylight bulb. What exactly is the difference? I am a little confused....
What is the best possible bulb selection for my equipment?

Thanks,

J

smleee · 03/28/2006, 04:28 PM

I've never heard of a problem interchanging those two bulbs, the length should be fine. Just make sure you are getting the same pin configuration.

( : : ) square or
( .... ) straight

The bulbs you posted are the preferred setup for must lighting systems with 4x65W pc's. I really like the dual actinic bulbs.

The dual daylight bulbs provide a 6700k and 10,000k daylight bulb in one (it's half and half). There are some advantages to the 6700k daylight bulb, but you will not see the growth difference in your setup or with PC's for that matter. The 6700k is also more yellow in color which tends to show up in your tank and make it look not as "crisp" in view. Stick with the 10k and you'll be fine.

eee

nstees · 03/28/2006, 04:31 PM

i like hellolights.com

HowardW · 03/28/2006, 05:07 PM

I switched out my 03 actinic bulb for a 50/50 to have a 3-1 ratio of 10k daylight to actinic. According to what I've read the 10K daylights have a lot of blue already and far better PAR than any actinics which are mainly used to wash out the yellow and give a flourescent look to corals, other than that you really don't need the actinics at all.

-TS-Vash · 03/28/2006, 05:19 PM

I got my replacement bulbs from a company on ebay odessey or something is the brand they were 5 bucks each i got 2 65 watt 420 nm for 10 bucks plus 5 for shipping so 15 in all for 2 you may want to try ill look up the link for you later.

-TS-Vash · 03/28/2006, 05:35 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/4x-65W-Power-Com...QQcmdZViewItem

4 for 24 bucks with 13 for shipping. and pick what kind you want like 420 nm or 460 nm.

jarice1978 · 03/30/2006, 04:02 PM

Thanks for the info and links. So how are those bulbs working out for you? Do you know what brand they are?

Thanks,

J

-TS-Vash · 03/30/2006, 04:05 PM

There great lights and the brand is odyssey on mine i think the ones in the link are the same.

jasonj90 · 03/30/2006, 06:17 PM

ive also got the cheap odyssey bulbs from ebay. i love them!!!

03/14/2006, 03:16 PM	#1
jarice1978 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 165	Need new PC bulbs...Where is best deal? I have not replaced my PC bulbs in about a year and a half. I am starting to pay for it. I have had a growing cyno(red slime) outbrake that has progressivly gotten worse over the last month. The question is, where can I get a good deal on PC bulbs? I have 260 watt coralife system --two 65 watt white --two 65 watt blue (I forget the "k" numbers!) This is the lowest prices I have seen: 16.99 per bulb: http://www.petmeister.com/item3469.htm hopefully this is the correct white bulb! And Blue: 16.99 per bulb: http://www.petmeister.com/item2286.htm what is the standard length of these types of bulbs? Some say 21" and some say 23".. Thanks for your help J

03/28/2006, 05:07 PM	#10
HowardW Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 1,763	I switched out my 03 actinic bulb for a 50/50 to have a 3-1 ratio of 10k daylight to actinic. According to what I've read the 10K daylights have a lot of blue already and far better PAR than any actinics which are mainly used to wash out the yellow and give a flourescent look to corals, other than that you really don't need the actinics at all. __________________ Florida live rock addict

03/28/2006, 05:19 PM	#11
-TS-Vash Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lawrenceville Posts: 882	I got my replacement bulbs from a company on ebay odessey or something is the brand they were 5 bucks each i got 2 65 watt 420 nm for 10 bucks plus 5 for shipping so 15 in all for 2 you may want to try ill look up the link for you later. __________________ Only The Strong Survive!!! Current Tank Info: BB 120 sps/clam tank closed Current tank 27 gallon cube

03/28/2006, 05:35 PM	#12
-TS-Vash Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lawrenceville Posts: 882	http://cgi.ebay.com/4x-65W-Power-Com...QQcmdZViewItem 4 for 24 bucks with 13 for shipping. and pick what kind you want like 420 nm or 460 nm. __________________ Only The Strong Survive!!! Current Tank Info: BB 120 sps/clam tank closed Current tank 27 gallon cube

03/30/2006, 04:05 PM	#14
-TS-Vash Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lawrenceville Posts: 882	There great lights and the brand is odyssey on mine i think the ones in the link are the same. __________________ Only The Strong Survive!!! Current Tank Info: BB 120 sps/clam tank closed Current tank 27 gallon cube

03/14/2006, 03:41 PM	#2
smleee Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,344	I'm not sure what brand those bulbs are but I would stick with name brands. I prefer Current. On another note you probably want to use a 10,000k daylight bulb and not the 6,500k in the link you posted. I'd also suggest using a dual actinic bulb which peaks at both 420nm and 460nm. I usually buy my bulbs from drsfostersmith.com or thatfishplace.com, whichever has the sale...... eee

03/14/2006, 04:16 PM	#3
Grace's Dad Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fairview Heights, Ill. Posts: 1,142	True aqua brand are only 12.00 here. You will want the 10Ks http://www.innovativelights.com/65wapocobu.html

03/14/2006, 04:34 PM	#4
jarice1978 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 165	Thanks. I will look into it. 12.00 sounds like a great price! Why are regular stores like "marindepot" and "petsolutions" selling them for so much more ($25 - 35)?

03/14/2006, 04:37 PM	#5
smleee Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,344	While True aqua may very well be a good bulb I've never heard of them or seen them mentioned here. It may or may not be a quality bulb; Grace's Dad, have you used them before? eee

03/28/2006, 03:47 PM	#7
jarice1978 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 165	Okay drfostersmith.com has a good deal on bulbs for the brand "Current" however I have a few more questions... I have a Coralife Power Compact System with Coralife bulbs. drfostersmith.com has both "Current" and "Coralife" bulbs however there is one difference. The Current bulbs are 22'' and the Coralife bulbs are 21''. Will this cause a problem or will I just need to measure and make sure they fit? Also, I plan on getting: two 65 watt 10,000 k daylight bulbs two 65 watt dual Actinic bulbs However I saw that there is also a dual daylight bulb. What exactly is the difference? I am a little confused.... What is the best possible bulb selection for my equipment? Thanks, J

03/28/2006, 04:28 PM	#8
smleee Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,344	I've never heard of a problem interchanging those two bulbs, the length should be fine. Just make sure you are getting the same pin configuration. ( : : ) square or ( .... ) straight The bulbs you posted are the preferred setup for must lighting systems with 4x65W pc's. I really like the dual actinic bulbs. The dual daylight bulbs provide a 6700k and 10,000k daylight bulb in one (it's half and half). There are some advantages to the 6700k daylight bulb, but you will not see the growth difference in your setup or with PC's for that matter. The 6700k is also more yellow in color which tends to show up in your tank and make it look not as "crisp" in view. Stick with the 10k and you'll be fine. eee

03/28/2006, 04:31 PM	#9
nstees Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5	i like hellolights.com

03/30/2006, 04:02 PM	#13
jarice1978 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 165	Thanks for the info and links. So how are those bulbs working out for you? Do you know what brand they are? Thanks, J

03/30/2006, 06:17 PM	#15
jasonj90 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: charleston, SC Posts: 401	ive also got the cheap odyssey bulbs from ebay. i love them!!!