blue 7100k better flourescing than actinic 03?

[Triggerfish]

i just fired up a supplemental single 40w NO coralife blue 7100k on my 125 last night and everything was flourescing unbelievably..

comparing this with a 96w coralife actinic 03 was much much better.
i was under the impression that the actinic 03 was supposedly the light to go with for flourescing...but from a visual aspect is just does not appear to be the case..thoughts?

[thrlride]

Is the 96 watter a PC or VHO?

The super actinic URI's are supposed to be the best at flourescing.

[HaroldT]

I think actinic VHO bulbs look the best. I have heard the hellolights actinic 03 is a nice.

[swashbuckler]

a 7100k blue bulb will not flouresce your corals like an 03 will.

keep in mind- some 03 bulbs are RATED at 7100k -but that means jack, b/c what you have to look at is where the bulb peaks- ala 420nm for a TRUE actinic (like a NO or VHO tube)

a "7100k" blue bulb typically peaks at 460nm- very blue/green, not the violet/blue range of a VHO or NO t-12 actinic- which makes corals explode with color, this is what you are seeing.

[Triggerfish]

the 96w is a pc bulb.

i also have a 65w sunpaq dual actinic 420/460 nm which doesn't do a thing. the light seems sort of white.


here's a pic of my glowing GSP.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/515/365glowing_gsp.JPG