What PC bulb combination??

I just want to know for future reference whats a good bulb combination for soft corals. I dont have any corals yet but in my fixture right now I have a 65 watt 10,000 k bulb and a 65 watt 50/50 (10,000/Actinic). To me this combo looks too bright. I was thinking of either using the 10,000k and a dual actinic, 2 50/50 bulbs or using a 50/50 bulb with a dual actinic. Is there any benefit of using any of these combinations over another??

 

ReefGeek > Lighting > Power Compact Fluorescent > Bulbs

Id recommend uvl 454 blue and uvl 14k for ur bubs. these are the best ive used hands down.

 

I recently ran into the same situation with my 24g aquapod. I had one 65w dual 6700K and 10000k and one 65w dual actinic (420nm and 460nm). I personally didn't like the combo because none of my corals showed nice color under it.

Actinic light promotes the growth of Zoaxanthellae algae, which the vast majority of corals use as their energy source. The "white" lights just help to balance that with other bumps in the color spectrum.

If you want the best color out of your corals using a CF, I would suggest a 65w 420nm actinic bulb and maybe off set that with a dual 65w 10000k/460nm actinic. It will have more of a blueish tinge to your tank.

When it comes down to it though, each mix of bulbs will create a different color in the tank and you have to personally like the look of it.

460nm= more purple
420nm= more blue
10,000k= more white
6,7000k= more yellow (can promote algae growth)

 

Thanks for the info guys