Coralife compact fluorescent– freshwater/ saltwater lights?
by Aquaboy on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 | 4 Comments
I noticed Coralife has the aqualife power compact for freshwater and saltwater. If there any difference in the 2 other than a small price difference?
The freshwater one comes in a green box, the saltwater has one in yellow and one in red (the red is twice the wattage as yellow).
I bought the one that comes in a yellow box for a freshwater planted aquarium. Should I return it and go for the other one? Does the one made for freshwater have a different bulb?
Thanks!
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the saltwater is more powerful
I think if you look at the different models, the one made for plants has a 6,700K tube but the saltwater one has 10,000K and an actinic (if two tubes, which is why the wattage is double). The 6,700K is closer to natural daylight, where the 10,000K is made to simulate the wavelengths of light that exist in about 30 feet of water where most of the red wavelengths are filtered out (more appropriate for corals, anemones, and other reef photosynthesizers).
I’ll have to check some websites to see the boxes these come in to be sure of which you have, but for plants, I think you’re better off having the 6,700K tube.
I used the Coralife lights in the past and wasn’t happy with them. We had ballast issues actually. I’ve also heard some people and horror stories with fires with them. I tend to avoid the lower lights at all cost, it is often worth the extra money up front, that way you have something nice to begin with and don’t waste money twice.
There is a big difference in the temperature of the bulbs. Freshwater plants and marine corals grow best at different spectrums, so be sure to buy the appropriate fixture for your tank.