Coralife VHO Trichromatic Bulbs

[dobish]

I built a hood and powered it up yesterday with a pair of 48" VHO Coralife 10000K and Trichromatic bulbs. The 10000K's are very bright and white, but the trichromatic bulbs are IMO dim and have a pinkish hue

. I've used normal output trichromatics for years and have always been pleased and am puzzled that the VHO bulbs are such a different 'color'.
Has anyone else noticed this problem? Is it possible I might have bad bulbs?

I also have always tried to balance the temperature of the bulbs I am using (i.e. 10000K, 6500K, 7200K)....what do you think of switching to all 10000K bulbs and ignoring mixing in the 6500K? (I'll run actinic bulbs with the 10000K)

Any input would be appreciated.

[ December 30, 2001: Message edited by: dobish ]</p>

 

[SteveP]

Yeah, the TriChros are quite dim IME. You ought to try the URI bulbs. They are much brighter. If you're concerned about balancing color you can get the 10KK's and the 50/50's.

Steve
8{I

 

[dobish]

Thanks Steve....
So, you'd recommend the URI daylight bulbs??

or should I just stick with the 10000K's?

 

[John G]

Second the vote for URI. Using seven 46 inchers over my 120. Mix of 4 actinic whites ( 12000k-50/50) and 3 actinic 03 (420 nm). Having good results so far.

 

[SteveP]

URI daylight bulbs ARE 10000K. If you're happy with the Coralife 10000K just get the URI 50/50 or the Super Actinic.

Steve
8{I

 

[Big R]

I'd run all Coralife 10,000K's. If you are using a IceCap ballast, just use NO bulbs. Persanally, I think the URI daylight bulbs are too yellow.

R

 

[dobish]

Thanks to all of you for the responses....
...due to all of your input, I'm going to ditch the trichromatics and try some URI's. I'm sure I'll find a combination that works well.

Thanks again,