Actinics and MH

Natural Blue · 01/10/2012, 02:27 PM

Do most people leave there actinics on when there MH's come on or do they turn them off while the MH's are on?

I've got two 250w 14K MH's and two T12 super vho actinics. I've been leaving the actinics on while the MH's are on but am wondering if that's recommended or not.

Also, how long are most people running there lights?

corbett_n · 01/10/2012, 02:32 PM

my opinion is you only need the actinic lights on when you are looking at the tank. VHO actinic look awesome, they just burn out quick and are kind of expensive. I would just have them come on right before you come for the day to make them last longer. They don't really help with growth

sporto0 · 01/10/2012, 02:34 PM

What brand of 14k MH bulbs did you buy? I run 2 250w 10,000-13000k AB MH's & 2 t-12 VHO super actinics. My actinics come on 45 minutes before the MH's & stay on all day, including 45 minutes after MH's shut down, I replace the actinics every 8-9 months though because of how many hours I run them. They may not be directly involved with fast growth, but they definitely help with coloration. I would appreciate if we could communicate on how your 14k bulbs look & work for you, I was thinking of going to the Giesman 14.5 Megachrome bulbs next time (3 months from now).

seapug · 01/10/2012, 02:47 PM

The type of mh bulb does matter, but I run them both at the same time. Experiments have shown additional peaks of blue lighting encourage the development of florescent pigments in many corals, beyond our visual perception of them.

Natural Blue · 01/10/2012, 03:07 PM

I got the Plusrite MH bulbs after a lot of reading on here. Plus they were $13 each.

Natural Blue · 01/11/2012, 10:41 AM

How long is the norm for running your MH bulbs?

Right now I'm running my actinics from 2pm-10pm (8 hrs) and my MH's from 3pm-9pm (7 hrs). Is this about right, to short, to long?

JerseyClowns · 01/11/2012, 03:21 PM

When I ran MHs & VHOs on my 210G Reef, I ran the MHs for 8 and the VHO for 8 staggered as follows: MH on at 11 AM off at 7PM, VHOs (454s, Actinic Whites, and Super Actinics) 4PM to Midnight.

01/10/2012, 02:27 PM	#1
Natural Blue Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 151	Actinics and MH Do most people leave there actinics on when there MH's come on or do they turn them off while the MH's are on? I've got two 250w 14K MH's and two T12 super vho actinics. I've been leaving the actinics on while the MH's are on but am wondering if that's recommended or not. Also, how long are most people running there lights?

01/10/2012, 02:34 PM	#3
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	What brand of 14k MH bulbs did you buy? I run 2 250w 10,000-13000k AB MH's & 2 t-12 VHO super actinics. My actinics come on 45 minutes before the MH's & stay on all day, including 45 minutes after MH's shut down, I replace the actinics every 8-9 months though because of how many hours I run them. They may not be directly involved with fast growth, but they definitely help with coloration. I would appreciate if we could communicate on how your 14k bulbs look & work for you, I was thinking of going to the Giesman 14.5 Megachrome bulbs next time (3 months from now). Last edited by sporto0; 01/10/2012 at 02:40 PM.

01/10/2012, 02:47 PM	#4
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	The type of mh bulb does matter, but I run them both at the same time. Experiments have shown additional peaks of blue lighting encourage the development of florescent pigments in many corals, beyond our visual perception of them. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FS: Aquapod 25+ gallon, LR, MH, T5, Actinics, and more!	Jennifier615	Nashville Area Reefers	2	08/21/2010 11:45 AM
photoperiod for all sps tank, no actinics just MH?	Ehaze	Reef Discussion	7	01/05/2009 09:26 AM
actinic and MH light schedule	southstar066	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	1	12/14/2008 09:39 AM
actinics and MH can not remember!	rbursek	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	2	09/26/2007 07:37 AM
actinics with MH?	61scout80	New to the Hobby	4	03/04/2007 10:25 PM

01/10/2012, 02:32 PM	#2
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	my opinion is you only need the actinic lights on when you are looking at the tank. VHO actinic look awesome, they just burn out quick and are kind of expensive. I would just have them come on right before you come for the day to make them last longer. They don't really help with growth

01/10/2012, 03:07 PM	#5
Natural Blue Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 151	I got the Plusrite MH bulbs after a lot of reading on here. Plus they were $13 each.

01/11/2012, 10:41 AM	#6
Natural Blue Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 151	How long is the norm for running your MH bulbs? Right now I'm running my actinics from 2pm-10pm (8 hrs) and my MH's from 3pm-9pm (7 hrs). Is this about right, to short, to long?

01/11/2012, 03:21 PM	#7
JerseyClowns Moved On Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Washington, New Jersey Posts: 59	When I ran MHs & VHOs on my 210G Reef, I ran the MHs for 8 and the VHO for 8 staggered as follows: MH on at 11 AM off at 7PM, VHOs (454s, Actinic Whites, and Super Actinics) 4PM to Midnight.