Thought on this Ebay PC bulb? - nano cube

[fantom555]

Well, its almost time to get new bulbs in my tank, I happened to come across this on Ebay, please let me know what you think if you know anything about lighting systems...please Stock 24 NC dx comes with two 36W 50/50 10k/actinic bulbs, and is 16inches. I emailed this seller and he said his were 16.125 inches, so I am guessing it is the same size, just a slightly diff measurement. These bulbs are 12k and actinic....and ALOT cheaper than any other site. Let me know what you guys think, or should I stick with the JBJ brand from drsfostersmith for $25 a pop? Here is link to the sale...thanks in advance


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290431822146&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

For $12.50 I would try it. I'm sure everyone has a lot more unused equipment in their basement that costs more than $12.50

 

[The_Codfather]

I bought my 36" 196w PC lights from topdogsellers my corals are doing good I'm sure they are the same bulbs made by Odyssea

 

[fantom555]

Ok cool, I think ill give it a try...thanks guys....hopefully it will fit! haha

 

[Hawkeye]

that is a really good price. The fixtures are dirt cheap too. Hard to argue 9000 plus positive feedback against 30 negatives.

 

[Audi0s]

Buy 4 and save on shipping. That way you can get all colors and play around and see how it turns out. I liked a 50/50 and an actinic when I was running the stock hood. It ended up being too blue for me though.

 

[fantom555]

Do actinics even provide wattage? I don't know if I can afford to even do that for my corals sake if they don't, with only 2 36 watt bulbs...right now I am using 2 50/50s.....would say...1 50/50 and one daylight be better for the corals than with actinics?

 

[The_Codfather]

that is a really good price. The fixtures are dirt cheap too. Hard to argue 9000 plus positive feedback against 30 negatives.

My 36" 196w PCs with moon lights was under $100.. one of the rubber nibs off the leg bracket was broken all i had to do was send a pic of it and they sent me two new brackets.. I only wanted the one

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

Wattage? Do you mean PAR (Photosynthetically Available Radiation)? Typically bulbs with with higher Kelvin ratings have lower PAR values than the "daylight" bulbs. But some studies have suggested that there are a wider varity of symbiotic zooanthellae that use blue light. So speaking in very broad generalities more blue light = more colorful corals and more white light = faster growth. Take your pick.

 

[The_Codfather]

Wattage? Do you mean PAR (Photosynthetically Available Radiation)? Typically bulbs with with higher Kelvin ratings have lower PAR values than the "daylight" bulbs. But some studies have suggested that there are a wider varity of symbiotic zooanthellae that use blue light. So speaking in very broad generalities more blue light = more colorful corals and more white light = faster growth. Take your pick.

My daylight bulb is 12k.. all i know it's a lot better the the light the take came with

 

[Hawkeye]

fantom - it depends....

I'd go with one daylight and one actinic. Or if you prefer less blue, one daylight and one 50/50.

 

[fantom555]

Hawkeye,

Wouldn't 2 50/50s be identical to one of each? It would just disperse the light a bit more?

 

[Mbodell]

Uvl has PC bulbs with reflectors in them. I would give those a shot. I would think one of each would be higher par output since they are dedicated. Just assuming that though.

 

[Hawkeye]

i didn't know uvl made pc bulbs.

yes the reason for one of each is that the PAR should be higher in the single bulb - and the blue should be bluer in the single bulb. Don't take my word for it though - get all 4 bulbs and try them out.

The only downside with this is if the blue is in the front - you don't want to position a light-needy coral in the front of the tank.

Whereas with 2 50/50s - you couple place the coral anywhere (front or back) but you may not be able to place them as deep. How tall is your tank?

 

[fantom555]

its a 24 gallon nano cube...im would have to measure, but I like to have corals everywhere, so Ill have to go with the 50/50....thanks for the advice, much appreciated.