power compact bulb replacement question

[budhorse775]

I have a 55gal reef tank with four 65 watt 50/50 (actinic/10,000k) Coralife bulbs in it. I have had the same bulbs for about a year and think it is time to replace them. My question is should I replace them with two 10,000k bulbs and two actinic bulbs or should I use two 10,000k bulbs and two 50/50 bulbs? That would give me the equivalence of say three 10,000k bulbs and one actinic bulb. Do the actinic bulbs have any effect on coral growth or would more 10,000k lighting be better? Any suggestions?

[scrmbld33]

i would do 2 actinics 2 10ks my sis has this setup, works great and has nice color

[mg426]

If you do the two actinics and two 10ks you will have the option of running them seperate of each other. i think its a good idea.

[rjwilson37]

Just make sure you only change out one at a time at 1 a week over a few weeks, otherwise you will shock your corals and bleach things out. That is a big change from 1 year old bulbs to new bulbs, especially on PC's that need replacing every 8-10 months.

[PatMayo]

PC bulbs should really be repalced before they are a year old. 8 months is more like it.

At least that is what I did with mine.

Regards,

Pat