lighting question

[kpatrick]

When I first starting thinking about switching my 125 FOWLR to reef a year ago I went to the LFS to get some more powerful lights. He sold me some power compacts (2) 36inch setups. At the time I was just going by what he said but now that I have learned more about reef I am starting to question myself on the power compacts. I have looked on several sites and cant find any that look like mine. They are in a black frame and have 2 u-shaped bulbs in each 36inch frame. He said they were 110 watt each and 10k. I guess my question is this... where is the actinic (i dont recall him saying anything about actinic)? I know this probably sounds dumb but I still havent figured the whole lighting thing out yet however my soft corals, polyps, and toad stool are doing good. Along with the power compacts I am running (2) 36" 50/50 lights that came with the tank but I was thinking about getting rid of those and gettng something with a little more blue tone to it.

Is my lighting okay or do I need to switch something or add more???

thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!!!!

[OrionGirl]

Check www.hellolights.com for comparison. There are lots of u-shaped compact fluorescents, but the straight ones are gaining popularity. Not better, just different. Keep in mind that the PC have more 'oomph' than the regular NO lights, so PC are fine for most lights.

You can get PC actinic--just depends on the bulb. 50/50 bulbs provide some in the way of blue/purple spectrum, but not as much as some of the other full actinics will.

Shop around--lots of options.

[kpatrick]

Orion,
Thanks for your help!!
need your opinion though. I have soft corals. polyps, and told stool and plan on getting other corals as well (not hard coral though). I am going to replace the 50/50 bulbs but in your opinion what should I add in their place?????:

- (VHO,T12) super Actinic R, 95w - URI
- (NO, T12) super actinic r, 30w - URI
- (VHO, T12) actinic 03, 95w - Coralife
- (NO, T12) actinic 03, 30w - Coralife
- (NO, T8) actinic 03, 30w - Coralife
- or something else??
(all listed on the website you told me about)

keep in mind I am still using the to PCs' which should be 220w (4 x55watt) at 10k


thanks