Just a little rain on your parade. Those blue lamps (especially Coralife)are just that, IOW they are blue and not actinic. An actinic lamp IMO is a lamp that radiates at 460nm. A bulb that radiates at 460nm gives you that intense coloration especially in zoanthids. Blue lamps just give you blue color without the intense colors. :sad: How do I know :question: , I have Coralife blue tubes sitting around doing nothing. :eek:

Bob,
Were you raining on my parade or Willow's? I know what you are talking about as far as coloration - my main tank has URI VHO actinic which I believe provides the ultimate in actinic coloration. My 2gal cube is lit by a 13watt power compact in the 6700k range. Not the best choice for color, for sure, but probably a good compromise for growth with such a small bulb. I'm pretty sure that the 13 watt replacement bulbs described as true actinic and actinic03 are more than just blue bulbs. ?
If I had two bulbs I would have the option of actinic supplementation but I don't so I have to make do without actinic.

- Chad

I agree, if they are advertised as 03, or true actinic they should be fine. As far as 6700K goes that should be fine for growth. You just won't get the nice coloration you get at home. :biggrin:

im not sure they make actinic 03 in such small bulbs. if they do then great if the don't then blue is the next best thing. better blue than nothing right?

Good point Bob, and thanks for the warning about the Coralife bulbs. I guess I will need to consider stocking the tank with corals that look interesting under daylight instead of ones that look fantastic under actinic. Too bad...

Willow,
These guys have a pretty good selection:
http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...xID=lt-rpcb-13

- Chad

Put a mantis in it.

I think his tank is a little small for a mantis. Ive seen some really big ones that would probly be longer then his entire tank.

Actually, if I could find a mantis (especially one of the small varieties of smashers) I would get it in a second! I was also thinking about a pitsol shrimp/goby combo but I'm only gonna have 3/4" of substrate and I know that pistols like to dig :confused: .

Sean,
I agree, I have seen some awful big varieties of mantis, one was something like a foot and a half long. After being in this hobby for a couple years, I am now terrified to set foot in the ocean :razz: .

- Chad

ok...if not a mantis then at least something that bites :razz:

maroon clown.. my little bastard used to think my hand was lunch.. every damn day!