Current USA Dual Satellite Powercompact Fixture

[MaineReef22]

Is this a good fixture? How can i upgrade the bulbs to get better coral growth?
What bulbs do i buy?

[zachfishman]

If you already bought it, it's a great fixture haha. I don't know about that model, but I have an old CurrentUSA PC fixture (48" 2 bulb PC) and really like it. If I had a dual one I'd probably put in a 10,000k bulb and a dual actinic 420/460 bulb for good color and growth.

[MaineReef22]

If you already bought it, it's a great fixture haha. I don't know about that model, but I have an old CurrentUSA PC fixture (48" 2 bulb PC) and really like it. If I had a dual one I'd probably put in a 10,000k bulb and a dual actinic 420/460 bulb for good color and growth.

Yeh i have it already whats the difference between the regular 10k and a dual daylight which is whats in it. Also whats the difference between the 420/460 combo the regular 420 the regular 460 and the actinic 03 i have the 420/460nm combo bulb in it right now. I just want the best possible coral growth out of it

[zachfishman]

The differences aren't that great, go ahead and use up the bulbs you have and save the cash. For a 10k vs 10k/6.7k, the latter will be a little warmer/ a little more yellow. For the 420 vs 420/460 combo, the added 460 will make things a tad bluer (vs the slightly more violet of the 420nm actinic).

In terms of growth I couldn't say, the difference is probably minuscule. Although since 420nm light is more tuned to the blue-absorbing pigments in chlorophyll, going with an all 420nm for your next actinic might be good.

[MaineReef22]

The differences aren't that great, go ahead and use up the bulbs you have and save the cash. For a 10k vs 10k/6.7k, the latter will be a little warmer/ a little more yellow. For the 420 vs 420/460 combo, the added 460 will make things a tad bluer (vs the slightly more violet of the 420nm actinic).

In terms of growth I couldn't say, the difference is probably minuscule. Although since 420nm light is more tuned to the blue-absorbing pigments in chlorophyll, going with an all 420nm for your next actinic might be good.

Well im gonna be buying new bulbs because even though they still work there about a year and a half old now. So you think i should stick with the 10k dual daylight and get the all 420nm for my actinics sounds good but what is the difference with the 460nm bulb

[zachfishman]

An all 460nm bulb will be visibly bluer than a 420nm bulb (which appears slightly more violet - and so will your tank). My personal preference is a 10k over a 10k/6.7k - but that's solely for aesthetics; in terms of growth I don't know.

Overall though, your coral growth will improve much much more from fresh lights than the spectrum change. I change my PCs every 12 months and notice a large change in brightness - due solely to the old bulbs wearing out (and therefore losing lots of PAR).