Power Compact choices

[lilbluelude]

I have absolutely no experience using power compacts for Reef lighting, so I am asking you guys for your opinions. I am trying to figure out what colors, brands, etc I should use for power compact bulbs.

I recently setup a 10 gallon tank for my girlfriend who desired to have some baby 'fishies'. The lighting I have is a simple power compact setup on top of it. But, one of the lights isnt functioning and these 7.1k bulbs just arent cutting it. Ive got about 18" length I can fit a 36w or 40w bulb in there and they are straight pin bulbs.

I want alot more blue color, well... I want more white and less yellow even. Its like a soft white color currently. Ive been looking at the dual bulbs that have a 10k and 460nm combo in one bulb. Ive also been looking at the other options and Im just not really sure what works best or even well with power compacts...

Coral concerns will only be softies such as simple polyps, kenya tree, mushrooms, etc. She has a desire to have zoas, but Im not sure if thats going to cut it. But, I really dont know..

Any advice on what to get and where to get it?

 

[volnation23]

<span style="color: darkorange">I have 8g Biocube set-up that uses pc lighting. It has (2) 18 watt coralife lights, one Actinic 03 and one 10,000k daylight. My corals seem to be doing quite well and I have a few zoas. It's just a thought. Maybe try checking

 

[lilbluelude]

thanks for the replies... I'll check out marine depot and see if anyone else has any suggestions here. I looked on local sponsor aquabuys and aquarium specialty, but found little selection if any at all(couldnt even find the pin type for them).

Anyone else got some advice?

I'd like to order myself some in the next 2-3 days..

 

[jonboyb]

Marine Design keeps a wall of PC bulbs in-stock. Various temps, sizes, etc.

While I mostly use PC for actinic supplementation, I have a dual 65W PC fixture over a spare 28g bowfront, one actinic bulb and one 10k. I use the tank for zoas and macros mainly, but never had any issues with softies or LPS I've put in there.

 

[jennm]

There aren't many choices.

If it's a single lamp fixture, best bet is a 50/50. If it's a 2-lamp most have a 10K and an actinic. Current USA makes dual daylights (aka Smartpaq) that are a mix of 6700 and 10,000K, and dual actinic which is a mix of 420/460 nm Actinic.

If you have a straight pin configuration it may be a bit trickier to get the dual lamps.

I would think that any sponsor should be able to get them for you. Just need to specify the wattage you need and pin configuration. If they don't have them in stock, surely they can get them for you.

I just looked quickly at one of my suppliers' catalogs and they have Coralife 36W straight pin in 50/50, 10K, Actinic and 6700K.

If you like it bluer, you could go with a 50/50 and an actinic.

I didn't find 40w in straight pin... at least not with that supplier but I have others, that's just the one I can get to from home.

Jenn