PC Bulb Question

b_clark711

b_clark711

Member
Is one bulb better than the other, when it comes to Power Compacts, Current vs. Coralife? I currently have the dual 36" Satellite 2x96w with the Current bulbs. I recently purchased a 120 bow front that came w/ a single PC fixture and I am going to replace that bulb in addition to adding my current fixture to the new tank. With that being said, should I just go with Current, considering that's what my dual fixture has, or is Coralife that much better that I should replace my dual fixture with these bulbs as well as the single 36" PC?
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
IMO current USA bulbs are far superior than coralife and generic pc bulbs and not just because of the dual kelvin, they are actually brighter and the 420/460 actinic just plain makes tanks look better than standard 420nm bulbs.
URI has new pc bulbs out called PC-R with internal reflectors like VHO bulbs. Perpaps you should check those out. havent seen them but I've heard they are like two T5 bulbs with pin connections to fit PC sockets as opposed to the normal twin tube pc bulbs.
 
sign guy

sign guy

Active Member
I bought custom aquatic bulbs a coupple months back to save on money, 36 inch bulbs for 29$, and when you buy 10 bulbs twice a year you shop. I cant tell a differance in color between my corilifes atnics and currents 420/460nm's
 
b_clark711

b_clark711

Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/2682341
IMO current USA bulbs are far superior than coralife and generic pc bulbs and not just because of the dual kelvin, they are actually brighter and the 420/460 actinic just plain makes tanks look better than standard 420nm bulbs.
URI has new pc bulbs out called PC-R with internal reflectors like VHO bulbs. Perpaps you should check those out. havent seen them but I've heard they are like two T5 bulbs with pin connections to fit PC sockets as opposed to the normal twin tube pc bulbs.
I am going to have to agree with you. That's what I have thought all along, although I am going to check out these PC-R (i am sure the R stand for reflector/reflective) to see what's up with those. I passed on the VHO bulbs to begin with, just because I wasn't as pleased with them as I have been my dual satellite PCs. The VHOs run a lot hotter, and to me, they just don't pack the same punch, and I tried the VHOs before I tried my pcs and although the VHOs had a little higher wattage, my corals really respond to the pcs. With that being said, I appreciate your input, mainly because it reiterates what I thought, but I also like getting other opinions, it just helps me make my decision!
Sign Guy - If you shoot me an e-mail I can give you the spot where I get my Current USA bulbs, 36" Fixture (34" Bulb) for $29, every day!
 
b_clark711

b_clark711

Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/2682341
IMO current USA bulbs are far superior than coralife and generic pc bulbs and not just because of the dual kelvin, they are actually brighter and the 420/460 actinic just plain makes tanks look better than standard 420nm bulbs.
URI has new pc bulbs out called PC-R with internal reflectors like VHO bulbs. Perpaps you should check those out. havent seen them but I've heard they are like two T5 bulbs with pin connections to fit PC sockets as opposed to the normal twin tube pc bulbs.
Dude, where can I get some? I checked them out on uvlco.com, but that's the only place that returned any results. I want some of these! 30% more light output, I am SOLD! I actually talked to a guy there, and he directed me!
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
Originally Posted by sign guy
http:///forum/post/2682440
I cant tell a differance in color between my corilifes atnics and currents 420/460nm's
really, the 460nm (bottom tube) is much bluer and brighter than the standard coralife 420nm (or any purpleish true 420nm actinic). the 420nm hardly changes the color at all combined with a 10k bulb while the 460nm of the 420nm/460nm adds a noticeable blue tint to white light. the difference to me (420nm+10k bulb vs 420/460nm+10k bulb) is noticeable the same way a 10k halide looks compared to a 14k halide. the only explanation I could think of is the bulb isn't a true actinic (420nm) but a 450 or 460nm bulb in which case would look like sunpaq 420/460 bulb.
 
sign guy

sign guy

Active Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/2683850
really, the 460nm (bottom tube) is much bluer and brighter than the standard coralife 420nm (or any purpleish true 420nm actinic). the 420nm hardly changes the color at all combined with a 10k bulb while the 460nm of the 420nm/460nm adds a noticeable blue tint to white light. the difference to me (420nm+10k bulb vs 420/460nm+10k bulb) is noticeable the same way a 10k halide looks compared to a 14k halide. the only explanation I could think of is the bulb isn't a true actinic (420nm) but a 450 or 460nm bulb in which case would look like sunpaq 420/460 bulb.

is that top bulb a coralife 03 atinic? Iguess I never payed much atention to the diff between coralife and current bulbs. the bulbs I buy from custom aquatics are avalible in 420/460.
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
here is a better example. the top bulb is blue 460nm (the 2nd 10k) and the 3rd bulb is a true 420nm (purple). true 420nm looks the same regardless of brand. whatever the case 420nm looks much different than 460nm or 420/460nm combo.
 
b_clark711

b_clark711

Member
Go to Champion Lighting's website, and you will need to give them a call. They are only a couple of dollars more, for 35% more light output. You will have to call them as they don't have them on their website. I ordered mine on Friday!
 
b_clark711

b_clark711

Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/2686423
nope, its a direct competitor to saltwaterfish.com but its popular and large enough that you will figure it out
Got ya! Let me say that I HATE this lamp! It has a pink color to it! That's right, PINK! I sent it right back! I ordered it Friday, priority and had it delivered to work. I went home, put it in my fixture, and it's literally pink! It was the 50/50 bulb and I promise you it's PINK! I immediately called Champion, spoke with the Customer service dude, who agreed with me and said that he returned his as well, and I shipped it back. I had the bulb in my possession all of 30 minutes. I repeat, DO NOT purchase these new PC-R bulbs, unless of course you don't want a balanced bulb. I should have been leary when I found out they hadn't released the PAR ratings on them! Hate it!
 
b_clark711

b_clark711

Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/2686423
nope, its a direct competitor to saltwaterfish.com but its popular and large enough that you will figure it out
That's what I thought initially, but I wasn't sure! I did figure it out easily though! LOL
 
b_clark711

b_clark711

Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/2686423
nope, its a direct competitor to saltwaterfish.com but its popular and large enough that you will figure it out
I checked out that site but they don't carry the PC-R bulbs, and when I talked to the guy at Champion, he said that they can't advertise them on the website due to the fact that they reduced the size of the bulb (T5 instead of T6) so other manufacturers don't recommend them in their fixtures! Just wanted to give you the heads up that the particular site suggested does not carry the PC-R bulbs, and in my opinion, it's a good thing!
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
Originally Posted by B_Clark711
http:///forum/post/2686491
I checked out that site but they don't carry the PC-R bulbs, and when I talked to the guy at Champion, he said that they can't advertise them on the website due to the fact that they reduced the size of the bulb (T5 instead of T6) so other manufacturers don't recommend them in their fixtures! Just wanted to give you the heads up that the particular site suggested does not carry the PC-R bulbs, and in my opinion, it's a good thing!
if you go to pc bulbs the description doesn't note they are PC-R but the product banner on the home page (scroll type) that takes you to that link as well states they are UVL's new internally reflected pc bulbs. I dont think UVL makes any other kind of pc lighting. at least on their site thats the only kind they show as having.
Also its known they are basically two T5 tubes with connectors to fit pc pins. you may have to bend/modify the standard holding pc clips but other than that there is no reason not to use them. The wattages are still the same so there will be no problems driving them with pc ballast. its just a minor fitment problem.
 
b_clark711

b_clark711

Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/2686596
if you go to pc bulbs the description doesn't note they are PC-R but the product banner on the home page (scroll type) that takes you to that link as well states they are UVL's new internally reflected pc bulbs. I dont think UVL makes any other kind of pc lighting. at least on their site thats the only kind they show as having.
Also its known they are basically two T5 tubes with connectors to fit pc pins. you may have to bend/modify the standard holding pc clips but other than that there is no reason not to use them. The wattages are still the same so there will be no problems driving them with pc ballast. its just a minor fitment problem.
The guy at UVL told me all about it. He said you would have to modify the bulb clips so that they didn't fall out, other than that, it fits right in! I hate these bulbs, if you read my previous post you will see what I am talking about! Pink dude, PINK!
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
Originally Posted by B_Clark711
http:///forum/post/2686721
The guy at UVL told me all about it. He said you would have to modify the bulb clips so that they didn't fall out, other than that, it fits right in! I hate these bulbs, if you read my previous post you will see what I am talking about! Pink dude, PINK!
Gotcha, I didn't realize you actually had them...well Sunpaq bulbs are definately the color they are suppose to be, had a few sets myself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top