will 10k pc make my tank look brighter than 50/50pc
 

thinking of changeing over ,there is already another actinic on my system .

I don't know. Maybe. The thing with actinics is that they're dim by comparison, so I'd guess that a 50/50 will appear less bright than a 10k. My guess is that it might appear a wee bit brighter, but don't expect too much, it's the same wattage in the end. But this is just a guess, the only way to be sure is to take the plunge and give it a try.

Try a 6500K daylight with your actinic, then you'll see a difference.

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i just placed the order for the 10ks so hopefully they will look a little brighter than the 5050s.

I think you will notice a difference. I have a 2 * 96W PC set up that orginally came with an actinic and a 10k bulb. I added another 10k and the change was significant.

Ed

Hey there.
I run 4 65 watt pc bulbs on my reef, 2 50/50's and 2 10,000k's. As an experiment, I put both 50/50's on one side and both 10,000k's on the other after reading your post. What I found was the light level appears to be very close for light intensity, slight edge to the 10,000k side but the colours on the 50/50 side are far, far better. the contrasts are great and the corals more pronounced.
The 10,000k side seems greenish/yellowish and quite washed out. the corals don't really stand out.

Now when I have a split of both on each side, that is the most pleasing lighting to me for my reef. I'll take a picture for you of the lighting I set up and the experimental lighting, but the camera interface cable has been missing for a few days so it may take me awhile to post the pic.

I agree that the colour was better with the actinic though I did notice a fairly big difference in intesity. I have a corner tank so the shape of the tank limits on what I can do with the lights- I would like to get some more actinic light on my tank (I also have a small 50/50 light at the back).

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that would be great can you post a pic,the last time i saw 10ks on a tank they were vfo i dont know if that made a difference,but chads tank much brighter than mine a little yellow to but he didnt have any actinic on there .

Here is the shot, it does not do justice to the real lighting effect.
10,000 k on the left 50/50 on the right.

http://bucksplace.htmlplanet.com/fig...experiment.jpg

your right the 50/50s do make the tank look better but i was wondering if by putting a single actinic with the 10k it would reduce the yellow effect and keep the brightness,thanks again for posting the pic :)