different types of actinic

[Racso]

Just to try something out, i put a second PC lighting strip on my tank, and I noticed that the actinic lights are different. The current USA light is a blue light, and the Coralife light is purple. I also notice that the current light is birghter, as in, when I have both actinics on, I can only see a difference in lighting in the shadows (and thats how I noticed the coralife was purple).

Anyway, what is better, or worse? Does it make any difference?

[kodyboy]

blue generally means around 460nm and purple/pink around 420nm, with the 420 being "true" actinic, whatever that means. I think the 420 makes the corals fluoresce more, but the blue looks better (to me at least).

[chris4869]

The blue is brighter, and is better at washing out the yellow spectrum of your daylight bulb (especially 67K bulbs).

The actinic is better for bringing out the colors in your fish and corals. It has a slight edge over the blue even though it's not as bright.

[jeffgp]

ive seen the 420-460 bulbs. but he dosent remember where he got it from