Hog Head Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 It is time to change my PC bulbs and I am not sure what to get. When I bought my CUSA 130w PC fixture I didn't know anything about reef lighting. If I had, I would have gone MH instead. Now I have been running CUSA's SmartPaq 6700/10000k bulbs and I really don't like the yellow light they give. I was going to order CUSA's SunPaq 10000k bulb, but I found UVL 12000k bulbs. They also have a 75.25 14000k bulb. It seem like it might be alittle too blue but I have never seen them. You can see what I have for live stock/corals in my signature. What do you think? I don't know anything about UVL. Can someone help with some info on UVL or should I just stick with the CUSA SunPaq's? Please enlighten me if you know of a better bulb. Thanks, Gene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 I too am interested. I am not happy with the tone of blue that I have right now. It isn't a very dark shade so I dont get the glow I want from my corals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Head Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 I too am interested. I am not happy with the tone of blue that I have right now. It isn't a very dark shade so I dont get the glow I want from my corals. What little I have been able to find out about the UVL bulbs is as follows: The 12k bulbs are a mix of 50% actinic 03 & 50% Tri-Band Phosphor , 14k is a mix of 75% Actinic 03 & 25% Tri-Band Phosphor. UVL claims they have a useful life span of 4500 hours. So that means 375 days at 12 hours a day? That is all I have found out so far. I have been using a 24w Giesemann Actinic+ to supplement the PC bulbs. I guess I wouldn't have to anymore if the UVL's did the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 I have had bad experiences with UVL bulbs and will never buy them again. They lack customer service as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Head Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 I have had bad experiences with UVL bulbs and will never buy them again. They lack customer service as well. I guess thats one vote for staying with Current USA SunPaq's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancecobb1 Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 I only have used one uv bulb is was a super actinic t5 it has nice color, other than that I really dont know a whole lot about them, and I really dont know alot pc lighting...I might have to do some research. I buy my bulbs frome Reefgeeks.com they had really good costomer service and Fast shipping! Here is a link to there PC page http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Power_Compact_Fluorescent/Bulbs/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 What has the deepest blue for PC's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Head Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 What has the deepest blue for PC's? Other than just actinic, If UVL's claims are true, UVL's 14k 75.25 would be the bluest I think?(scratch) If I could find someone who has some positive experience with the UVL 12k or 14k bulbs I would pull the trigger on the 12k's. If not, I am going to stay with the 10k SunPaq's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Head Posted August 15, 2009 Author Share Posted August 15, 2009 Couldn't find much info about the UVLs, so the Current 10000k's are on the way. They have been the only bulb I have used so far and the results have been good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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