Actinic Bulbs - Are They Still Used?

dtum · 09/18/2014, 02:36 PM

Are actinic bulbs still used nowadays and if yes, what would be the benefit?

On a 8 bulb fixture swapping a single bulb out for actinic hardly changed the overall look.

d2mini · 09/18/2014, 03:15 PM

They are usually used for dusk/dawn.
They are low in PAR so usually daylight and other high PAR bulbs will overpower their spectrum.
At least that has always been my use for them.

dtum · 09/18/2014, 03:40 PM

And if they're not used for dusk/dawn, is there any benefit? Either visual or spectrum wise?

Drae · 09/18/2014, 04:01 PM

Purely visual. They make coral's pop and fish glow. No benefit from a growth standpoint. Best actinic bulbs are vho imo

sirreal63 · 09/18/2014, 04:11 PM

The par levels are low, but the Pur level is good, the VHO peak at 420nm which is a secondary growth part of the spectrum, if I remember correctly. I am not near any of my links, but I think you can find it. 420 isn't just for breakfast anymore, or something like that.

kurt_n · 09/18/2014, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirreal63

The par levels are low, but the Pur level is good, the VHO peak at 420nm which is a secondary growth part of the spectrum, if I remember correctly. I am not near any of my links, but I think you can find it. 420 isn't just for breakfast anymore, or something like that.

This. That 420nm-ish spectrum is starting to turn out to be kinda important. That's why you see more and more of the newer LED fixtures incorporating the lower 400nm wavelengths, versus the "royal blue" or upper 400s.

Reefvet · 09/19/2014, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt_n

This. That 420nm-ish spectrum is starting to turn out to be kinda important.

Kinda important ?

Yeah it is. Actually the 400-500nm range of the spectrum is the most important to photosynthetic marine life.

rgulrich · 09/19/2014, 04:42 AM

That might be why Actinic 03's and the subsequent VHO Actinic and Actinic Whites were so popular in the 80's and 90's as supplements for our halide systems.

Mark426 · 09/19/2014, 05:39 AM

Yes they are used, but only if you are certain that you already have enough light (PAR) with the other lighting you are using.

dtum · 09/19/2014, 06:27 AM

I do have more than enough par - getting 500 at mid level when all 8 bulbs are on.

Fishy 1 · 09/19/2014, 08:14 AM

I run a giesmman DD pure actinic on my six bulb unit. The reason I went for this bulb over a normal actinic is it has some UV spectrum in it as well as the 420nm. When I was researching bulbs I wanted to cover the whole spectrum for good growth and color. So I chose this one for my lower spectrum bulb. I read somewhere that corals benefit from having the UV spectrum.

kurt_n · 09/19/2014, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefvet

Kinda important ?

Yeah it is. Actually the 400-500nm range of the spectrum is the most important to photosynthetic marine life.

I've been accused of being too subtle with my sarcasm sometimes. Sorry.

Look at some of the newer tests Dana Riddle has been doing, and I think you'll see the lower end of that range is actually more critical than the upper end.

kevensquint · 09/19/2014, 09:52 AM

By changing out my supplemental T5's to super blue or actinic there is a subsequent change in coral color. Not as intense as if I change my MH from say 10k to 20k. But enough to make me believe regardless of low PAR, actinics have an impact.

09/18/2014, 02:36 PM	#1
dtum Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 861	Actinic Bulbs - Are They Still Used? Are actinic bulbs still used nowadays and if yes, what would be the benefit? On a 8 bulb fixture swapping a single bulb out for actinic hardly changed the overall look. __________________ Pragmatic Reef 180 gallons 72'' x 26'' x 22''

09/18/2014, 03:15 PM	#2
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	They are usually used for dusk/dawn. They are low in PAR so usually daylight and other high PAR bulbs will overpower their spectrum. At least that has always been my use for them. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

09/18/2014, 03:40 PM	#3
dtum Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 861	And if they're not used for dusk/dawn, is there any benefit? Either visual or spectrum wise? __________________ Pragmatic Reef 180 gallons 72'' x 26'' x 22''

09/18/2014, 04:11 PM	#5
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	The par levels are low, but the Pur level is good, the VHO peak at 420nm which is a secondary growth part of the spectrum, if I remember correctly. I am not near any of my links, but I think you can find it. 420 isn't just for breakfast anymore, or something like that. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

09/19/2014, 04:42 AM	#8
rgulrich greybeard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: MD Posts: 893	That might be why Actinic 03's and the subsequent VHO Actinic and Actinic Whites were so popular in the 80's and 90's as supplements for our halide systems. __________________ The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 360 degree walk around 300 DD island–4 300W & 2 165W ViparSpectra, 4 Kessil A350W, 2 A360WE, 3 XF150, 1 XF250, 1 XF350 Gyre along with 2 PP40 and 2 IceCap 3K gyre for robust current. Basement 150 gallon RubberMaid sump, SKIMZ skimmer, DCP18000

09/18/2014, 04:01 PM	#4
Drae RAIDER NATION! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: City of sin... Posts: 3,476	Purely visual. They make coral's pop and fish glow. No benefit from a growth standpoint. Best actinic bulbs are vho imo

09/19/2014, 05:39 AM	#9
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	Yes they are used, but only if you are certain that you already have enough light (PAR) with the other lighting you are using.

09/19/2014, 06:27 AM	#10
dtum Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 861	I do have more than enough par - getting 500 at mid level when all 8 bulbs are on. __________________ Pragmatic Reef 180 gallons 72'' x 26'' x 22''

09/19/2014, 08:14 AM	#11
Fishy 1 The Reefer From Downunder Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Western Australia Posts: 2,256	I run a giesmman DD pure actinic on my six bulb unit. The reason I went for this bulb over a normal actinic is it has some UV spectrum in it as well as the 420nm. When I was researching bulbs I wanted to cover the whole spectrum for good growth and color. So I chose this one for my lower spectrum bulb. I read somewhere that corals benefit from having the UV spectrum. __________________ Rory "The day that I stop learning will be the day that I die" Current Tank Info: Newly Born Regency 220 "The Impulse Reef"

09/19/2014, 09:52 AM	#13
kevensquint Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: new york Posts: 2,277	By changing out my supplemental T5's to super blue or actinic there is a subsequent change in coral color. Not as intense as if I change my MH from say 10k to 20k. But enough to make me believe regardless of low PAR, actinics have an impact.