lighting

[elisa]

I have a 30 gal w/4 fish and some mushroom corals. The lighting is the fluorescent bulb that came w/the hood. I would like to upgrade to a brighter bulb, but I don't know what to get. Can anyone help? Coralife Actinic Blue? I don't want to upgrade the hood just the bulb for now. Thanks in advance!

 

[nacl-h2o]

I don't now if changing the light bulb would qualify as an upgrade. And you won't be able to put a brghter bulb (higher wattage or lumuns) in there. New bulbs will all ways be brighter so if your bulbs old you will notice a differance, but if your bulb is new you won't. In your situation a 50/50 would look better than a actinic if your just wanting to improve the look of the aquarium. If you truly want more output you will have to upgrade your hood.

 

[nss11110]

you cant just upgrade the bulb, you need to upgrade the hood. if you do I would go with hamilton power compacts. I would go with 2 55wt smartlamps. more than enough to grow anything in there you want.if you dont want to 1 will work but if you want to later get more light loving corals 2 is better. I use 2 65wt smartlamps on my 20. but thats just my opinion

 

[blondenaso1]

If you are truly not looking to spend money, then buying a 50/50 blub for your current setup would be a definate must. But if you are in the market to buy a whole new setup power compacts are definately a good way to go.

 

[elisa]

any specific brand name? thanks for all ur advice..

 

[jim672]

elisa,
Coralife makes a good 50/50 that is reasonably priced and is carried by most LFS.
Jim

 

[old hermit]

i hated my pc 50/50 light half the tank was blue and half bright white. then i went with 4 vho tubes and there is so much difference. the vho lights looks better and they put off more light. my corals have looked so much better since i have had them. they are more expensive though so you may need to search a little. this is just my opinion. im not saying pc are a waste of money i just didnt like them. hth

 

[randolph]

i was told that vho bulbs need to be replaced every 6 months pc"s every 15 months i"m going with the pc's seems cheaper in the long run