Cheapest 96 watt true actinic 03

[KyleP]

Where can I find the best deal on 96 watt true actinics 03? I have to buy a couple and have searched a few online stores, but wanted to check with all of you to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Thanks!

[KyleP]

Also, I gotta ask. Newb question but, the actinics 03 will make greens pop more than blue bulbs, correct?

[BodiBuilt]

Is $17 ea. good?
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=141&products_id=1613

[KyleP]

Thats the best deal I've seen so far. I hope the product is decent. Which will cause the greens in corals to pop the most, 420 or 450 actinics? Whats the difference look like to the human eye? Thanks!

[BodiBuilt]

They are decent bulbs for the price. I have used a few of them and they seem to hold up well. I get the 420/450 thing mixed up sometimes, but I'm pretty sure its the 450's that are a brighter blue. The 420 is more of a softer grayish-purple color and does not penetrate or illuminate the water as well as the other, which is more of a blue color and brighter.

Heres a (not so great) pic of some Catalina 96w bulbs in my DIY retro.The top bulb is marked Actinic 03, the bottom is marked Blue Actinic.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh264/BodiBuilt/96wPOWERCOMPACT004.jpg

Heres a shot with the 10K's on at the same time. It almost looks like the lower 10K bulb is burned out, but its not. Its because of the brightness (intensity) of the Blue Actinic bulb beside it!

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh264/BodiBuilt/96wPOWERCOMPACT017.jpg

I think I've seen some bulbs available in a 50/50 Blue Actinic and Actinic 03 which would essencially do what I have done with one bulb instead of two (or eight - lol).