What's the diff between the Actinic blue and blue plus?

[dc_909]

I was wondering what the difference in color is between these 2 types of T5 bulbs?

Why would you choose 1 over the other?

Is one more blue? or purple?

[IslandCrow]

The blue plus is still a full spectrum bulb and not an actinic. In other words, the blue plus definitely has a blue tinge, but the actinic is much bluer. I actually use both on my tank along with one of the daylight bulbs. It's just a matter of the color you're going for. I've been told there are some things that need actinic, but I don't know how true that is.

[dc_909]

So, to get a slight blue look out of the 4 bulb fixture, should I go with

2 aquablue
2 Actinic

or

2 aquablue
1 Actinic
1 Blue Plus


or

2 Aquablue
2 Blue Plus

[2fishy]

I am not sure but I am giving you a bump because I am curious about the answer too! I have a 4 bulb fixture with 420 nm actinics and 2 daylight, but have heard I should have a 420 nm, a 460 nm and the daylights. But now with your question I wonder if I should only have 1 daylight and 1 aquablue. Sorry to hijack!



I really like your avatar!!!:D

[dc_909]

2fishy,

What does your tank look like as far as color spectrum? Is it white, slightly blue, blue etc...

Do you have pics?

[Aquabucket]

This is what I run on my 40. Plenty of pics in my gallery.

1- GE daylight (great value and brightest T5 out there).
1= Aquablue special (11,000K)

for dawn/dusk

1 - blue plus
1 - 03 actinic

[2fishy]

To me the spectrum is white. I, for whatever reason, can't get a very good picture!:mad: Too much coffee I think!:D Here is about the best picture I could get that was truest to the color in the aquarium. I do have glass tops on the aquarium which seems to take away some from the light but I also have not figured out how to adjust the lighting on the camera yet, either. I am curious to find out what the acrylic top is that everyone has been mentioning. I haven't looked at any of the threads on that subject yet, just read the titles. I have to keep my aquarium covered because I have 3 young boys that tend to throw things in that direction. I do not have the back plastic strips on the glass tops though, to allow some oxygen in there. The weedy plant on the right is sargassum that I left in there only because there seems to be a lot of "bugs" in there. My emerald crab and hermits seem to be thinning it out so I just left it for now. Anyway, here it is...

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/2fishy_2006/100_1090.jpg

[2fishy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8200492#post8200492 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aquabucket
This is what I run on my 40. Plenty of pics in my gallery.

1- GE daylight (great value and brightest T5 out there).
1= Aquablue special (11,000K)

for dawn/dusk

1 - blue plus
1 - 03 actinic

And I REALLY like your aquarium!!! I am so glad that you posted that! Thanks!:D

[dc_909]

When you say daylight do you mean

aquablue or GE 65k

[Obi-dad]

Blue+ is not a full spectrum bulb. It peaks at 450nm, blue. This is also called actinic+ by one manufacturer. There are other blue bulbs that peak slightly differently at 460nm, these appear blue just like the blue+.
The actinic or 'pure actinic' bulb peaks at 420nm, it is purple.
The aquablue, or 11k bulb is a white bulb, mix of daylight and actinic phospors.
The daylight or sun bulbs are white but more toward yellow than the aquablue (6000k or 6500k).
If you have a 'blue+' bulb that appears white, it is mis-marked.

[dc_909]

Thanks