Is this True of PC Antics?

I just got a orbit PC hood from Current USA
And when i turned on the lights half the Antic looked really dull. When i emailed to ask about it this is what he said. is it true?


The 420 nanometer side will appear less bright to the human eye, but in reality the wavelength in combination with the 460 nm side enhances all the absorption characteristics of corals. You get the natural look of the 460 nm side with the fluorescing effect of the 420 nm side.

 

420NM is indigo which is true actinic... Here is a good pdf article about lighting http://www.easttnreefclub.com/Lighting%20Your%20Reef%20Aquarium.pdf

 

Heres a shot

So heres the pictures I took of my bulb. They arent the greatest but you can see how one side looks like its not turned on all the way.

Glen.

 

What does it say on the bulb? It should have some kind of description on it from the manufacturer.

 

An actinic fluorescent bulb should have a uniform color throughout the length of the bulb. I hope that's what you were originally asking about...

Jim

 

well the answer given above matches the text on the bulb. it says 420nm on the side of the bulb that is darker. the 460nm is the glowing neon blue color. So i guess I was just worried that the side labled 420 was not working properly. But i guess it is just how antics look?

All this stuff is so new to me.

I just got a Reef Test kit today in the mail and i was all excited till i opened it and one of the bottles some how leaked all over the kit. So besides ruining all the instructions and the color charts, the bottle is completely empty. Annoying thing about mail i get stuff and never know exactly what I will get.

Thanks guys.

Glen.

 

On my dual current sattallite fixture its the same thing one side is a 420nm, as the other side of the bulb is a 460nm.

 

The photo above is what is expected of Actinic bulbs. They will appear dim but that is normal.

J

 

If one is 420nm and the other is 460nm, thats different shades of the blue spectrum.