correct spectrum in compact fluorescents

saxerphoner · 09/21/2006, 12:35 PM

Do the actinic bulbs in PCs cover the correct spectrum... i.e. Actinic 03? Your opinions would be nice... I've heard that they do not cover the right spectrum due to their design

saxer

* I didn't get a response to this in the lighting and equipment forum...

Aquabucket · 09/21/2006, 12:59 PM

PC 03 actinics are designed to duplicate the spectrum of light as it penitrates deeper depths of the ocean. Ever watch a coral film like Imax's Coral Reef Adventure? The color of the light you see at the depths filmed is very much like the light from an actinic bulb.

The problem with PC actinics is the spectrum can shift in as little as 8 months or so. The U tube design is also not very efficient and much of the light is wasted.

If you can go with T5s they are a much better option.

saxerphoner · 09/21/2006, 01:23 PM

I had heard that they are not even true 03s... that even NO fluorescent (15w) bulbs were better (two or three of them) if in the correct spectrum. I should mention that this advice was for a 20 gal high.

saxerphoner · 09/21/2006, 05:40 PM

Is this not true?

Aquabucket · 09/21/2006, 05:48 PM

Where are you getting this info from? The full spectrum from bulb brands vary as well as type. A PC 03 actinic is going to give you more PAR value than those NO bulbs. To say they are not the correct spectrum is more of a visual preference than what is going to effect the growth of your livestock.

Basically you have been fed a load of BS IMO.

theatrus · 09/21/2006, 06:08 PM

Well, I've seen some pretty horrible PC Actinics. But I've seen some good ones too. Some of it is going to depend on the brand. Sadly, UVL does not make PC lamps (since their VHO Actinics look great, and I hear the same about the T5s... but my order is still in UPS' hands

)

09/21/2006, 12:35 PM	#1
saxerphoner Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: farmville, VA Posts: 129	correct spectrum in compact fluorescents Do the actinic bulbs in PCs cover the correct spectrum... i.e. Actinic 03? Your opinions would be nice... I've heard that they do not cover the right spectrum due to their design saxer * I didn't get a response to this in the lighting and equipment forum...

09/21/2006, 12:59 PM	#2
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,455	PC 03 actinics are designed to duplicate the spectrum of light as it penitrates deeper depths of the ocean. Ever watch a coral film like Imax's Coral Reef Adventure? The color of the light you see at the depths filmed is very much like the light from an actinic bulb. The problem with PC actinics is the spectrum can shift in as little as 8 months or so. The U tube design is also not very efficient and much of the light is wasted. If you can go with T5s they are a much better option. __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket"

09/21/2006, 01:23 PM	#3
saxerphoner Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: farmville, VA Posts: 129	I had heard that they are not even true 03s... that even NO fluorescent (15w) bulbs were better (two or three of them) if in the correct spectrum. I should mention that this advice was for a 20 gal high. __________________ blue & striped damsels, atlantic anem., sun polyp, button polyps, neon green star polyps, blue shroom,hammer coral branch, 3 sm. stars, cleaning crew Current Tank Info: 20 gallon high w/ SS65, hob filter, mj 1200 w/ wavemaker, t5 10000k, t5 actinic 03, t6 actinic 03, LR, Live Crushed Coral

09/21/2006, 05:40 PM	#4
saxerphoner Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: farmville, VA Posts: 129	Is this not true? __________________ blue & striped damsels, atlantic anem., sun polyp, button polyps, neon green star polyps, blue shroom,hammer coral branch, 3 sm. stars, cleaning crew Current Tank Info: 20 gallon high w/ SS65, hob filter, mj 1200 w/ wavemaker, t5 10000k, t5 actinic 03, t6 actinic 03, LR, Live Crushed Coral

09/21/2006, 05:48 PM	#5
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,455	Where are you getting this info from? The full spectrum from bulb brands vary as well as type. A PC 03 actinic is going to give you more PAR value than those NO bulbs. To say they are not the correct spectrum is more of a visual preference than what is going to effect the growth of your livestock. Basically you have been fed a load of BS IMO. __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket"

09/21/2006, 06:08 PM	#6
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Well, I've seen some pretty horrible PC Actinics. But I've seen some good ones too. Some of it is going to depend on the brand. Sadly, UVL does not make PC lamps (since their VHO Actinics look great, and I hear the same about the T5s... but my order is still in UPS' hands ) __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics