Actinic Bulbs?

[texhorns98]

Do you need to change these with the same frequency as other bulbs? I realize they all will lose umph over time, but I've been under the impression that these bulbs are more for us than our tanks. If I DO need to replace them, is there anything wrong with the Hagen GLO Marine Glo bulb? Much less $$$ than the Giesemanns I have!

 

[texhorns98]

Mine are not overdriven but they also don't have active cooling. I guess my next question would be how important is PAR for your actinic lighting?

 

[texhorns98]

Gotcha. I guess I've always thought that it was less important to have high PAR actinic lighting. I'm learning that's not the case as PAR is PAR is PAR if I'm understanding you correctly.

 

[snowmansnow]

VHOs are probably different, but I know for t5s PAR drops SIGNIFICANTLY with actinic lamps. I'm basing this on the ULV super actinic