Derekreefer Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 This bulb, UV Super Actinic Bulb - 420nm, has a light purple color and looks really dim. Is it true that the human eye cannot see 420nm UV light so it is naturally going to seem dim? The bulb is brand new and looks extremely less bright compared to the AquaticLife 420/460 nm Actinic that came with the fixture (AquaticLife 4 bulb T5). thanks for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 yep...I have a VHO version of it and it looks dim. I've also had PC's in the same wavelength and they look dim. You get great color pop from them, but I've always been annoyed that they are so dim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derekreefer Posted September 17, 2010 Author Share Posted September 17, 2010 Does it look REAL dim....like nightlight dim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Does it look REAL dim....like nightlight dim? I guess not that dim, but that's subjective. I'd have to see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbnj Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Based strictly on what I've read, the VHO bulbs look much brighter when run on IceCap 660 ballasts, which overdrive the bulbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Based strictly on what I've read, the VHO bulbs look much brighter when run on IceCap 660 ballasts, which overdrive the bulbs. Hmm...well I'm running an icecap ballast as well so who knows. We'd have to see the bulbs and really do a par reading to know for sure if it is "dimmer" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbnj Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Hmm...well I'm running an icecap ballast as well so who knows. Yeah, but you're running the 430 ballast, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Hmm...well I'm running an icecap ballast as well so who knows. Yeah, but you're running the 430 ballast, right? yep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derekreefer Posted September 17, 2010 Author Share Posted September 17, 2010 I do not have a PAR meter. I could take a picture with only this bulb turned on over the tank. I'll take the picture tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I do not have a PAR meter. I could take a picture with only this bulb turned on over the tank. I'll take the picture tonight. Ok, but you'll need to note what settings your camera took the photo at as if you leave it to "auto" your camera might meter down a lot to make up for the bright light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdavis735 Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Look directly at the bulb.lol.when I bought my super actinic t5 you couldn't look at the bulb when on.it was super bright.looking in the tank it looked dimmer,but the coral really popped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike M. Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Can't comment on bright vs. dim, but I can say that I put a 454nm URI on and it is a purple/blue which allows for the reds in the tank to show up when just he actinics are on, but the tank doesn't fluoresce the way it a 420nm provides. I like the fluorescence in Mark's tank so much that I have installed a second set of VHO endcaps on the system and as of next Tuesday, I'll have one 420 and one 454 running to get the best of both worlds. Mine will be driven on a 660 ballast. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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