Power Compact ?

[Captainhemo]

Hi All

I recently purchased a new 36" pwer compact fixutre. for my 33gal tank It is fitted with 1x55W 10000k and 1x55W Actinic bulbs.
Being that these bulbs are only 20"s in length and tjhat one is mounted at each end of the fixture, the light is not destributed evenly in the tank. One end is receivin gmuch more light from the 10000k bulb wheile the other end is getting alot of light from the actinic bulb . You can definately see a big difference form end to end, one end has quite a blue tone to it, while the other end apperars somewheat birghter/whiter.

I do not know what effect this will have onthe tank but Im sure it isnt the best situation. It would seem that they shouldnt even make a 36" dual bulb fixture with 55/65W PC bulbs. I'd think any light taht is configured this way would have a similar problem.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do with this ? Or shoul diI not be too worried about it ? Maybe I'd be better off running 2x50/50 bulbs ? Is it any less effective to use 50/50 bulbs as opposed to seperate 10000k and Actini 0 3 bubls ?

Any suggestions/help would really be appreciated, TIA

Captainhemo

[AJ_77]

Find the bulb you like, and run two of them. Worked just fine for me. 50/50 would work - I and others have had good results with the GE 9235K 55W bulbs.

If you move to a 50 gallon tank, you can fit 2 of these fixtures over it, and then mix-and-match bulbs without the obvious effects.

[bluetang]

Welcome to Canreef, Captainhemo..

[Captainhemo]

Thanks for the repllies guys !
If you are having success with this GE9235 , I may as well go with it as well. Anytgestions on where to find such a bulb ? Is the bulb actually made by GE or is that just a product umber? Doing a google searchh for GE9235 55W dosent result in any matches.
I looked at J+L 's webstie but the closest was an Energy Saver 50/50 55W bulb

Thanks again
-captainhemo

[Captainhemo]

Does anyone know of a od place in Canada, preferably BC or Alberta, where I can purchase these GE9325 bulbs ? Website ?

TIA
-captainhemo

[Samw]

The GE 9325K 55W bulb was the first bulb I used when I got in the hobby. It is still my favorite PC bulb. Under only 110W, my purple Monti cap was more purple than it is since I changed to my new lighting (MH + 50/50). However, the intensity was only strong enough for a few months and after 6 months, I had to change the bulb as the Cap would turn brown. Once I changed the bulb, it turned purple again. I've tried other PC bulbs and they all sucked (50/50, 6700K, 10K) for me. The 9325K bulb has quite a following in the freshwater hobby.

Search in the Planted Tank forum for 9325 and 9325k. It is the most popular bulb on there. Dozens and dozens of threads on it. There are constantly group buys there. One of the moderators in BC got them from Albrite.

Examples

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...ighlight=9325k

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...ighlight=9325k

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...ighlight=9325k

Below, compare the first tank without the (9325K) vs the others which has 1 or more 9325Ks. Its interesting that people are building their lighting systems around the 9325K, ie. "How do I complement the 9325K bulb".

http://www.plantedtank.net/forum/vie...er=asc&start=0

Typical Rave about the bulb

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...highlight=9325

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...ght=9325k+rave

People want to duplicate the GE bulb since they are limited availability

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...ighlight=9325k

Looking at people's signatures, you can see many 9325K users.

There should be more picture comparisons in that messageboard but I can't find them right now.

[Captainhemo]

Thanks very much for all the links and iinfo. I did go ahead and find a couple of these bulbs, they just arived this aftrernoon. They really enhance all th colors in the tank, it looks very different compared to the 10000k and the actinic combination. Hopefully when I fianlly get some corals started they will like them as much as I do !!

Thanks again for the hep with these , it was really appreciated

-captainhemo

[AJ_77]

That's great! Where did you finally find them (and how much were they)?

[Captainhemo]

Hi Alan

I was able to finally get a couple from ALbrite Lighting in Victoria . They were $29.00 (cdn) a piece and it sounds like they'll be keeping them in stock .
I almost brought a bunch in from Atlanta, Ijept hearing how hard it was to find some that when I found em in Atalnata, I thought maybe I'd bring in a bunch for everyone. Just befroe placing the order, I found Albrite hdd 5 sitting there so I grabbed a couole. It ended up that Albrite sold them cheaper to me than what I would have been able to sell the ones from Atlanta ( after shipping/taxes/duty etc). As long as Albrite keeps them in stock, I wont bother with bringing more in If it becomes a problem to get them , I may reconsder if the interest is still there

One of these days I'll have to add a coral to find out how the bulbs are gonna work. Gotta give the tank some more time , I sitll am adding Live Rock as I can afford it and am enjoying watching the hermits and the couple doty's I've got to get things going . Things are cp,omg ;a;pmg . s;pw;u bit sirely, Im really enjoying it !!

[Samw]

Here's 1 more link for 9325K comparisons. Hard to believe but the 2nd comparison is the same tank!!!! I believe it because I've seen the difference in my tank and its just as drastic in improvement.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...opic.php?t=762