Lighting... Blue vs. Daylight, timing of each?

Coral Reefer TX · 03/05/2006, 07:34 PM

I have Current dual satellite PC's. 130 watts total.
Dual Daylight 6,700K / 10,000K & Dual Actinic 420NM / 460NM.
On a 46 bow.

I love the way the Blue Actinic make the colors look when they are on alone. But I'm assuming that the Daylight is more crucial for coral health, is that right?

I'm sticking with basic soft and LPS corals - leathers, mushrooms, etc. The bulbs turn on independently, and I have a dual timer for them.
I know that I should run the lights 10-12 hours a day, but... Is it OK for about 4 of those hourse to be Blue Actinic only, or does the blue really not do much for the corals?

Avi · 03/05/2006, 09:05 PM

The "daylight" bulbs you're speaking of have a higher PAR value than the actinics and so they will promote growth moreso than the actinics will.

I think the best practice would be for the actinics to go on some time before the "daylights" and then remain on for some time after the "daylights" go out.

03/05/2006, 07:34 PM	#1
Coral Reefer TX Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 59	Lighting... Blue vs. Daylight, timing of each? I have Current dual satellite PC's. 130 watts total. Dual Daylight 6,700K / 10,000K & Dual Actinic 420NM / 460NM. On a 46 bow. I love the way the Blue Actinic make the colors look when they are on alone. But I'm assuming that the Daylight is more crucial for coral health, is that right? I'm sticking with basic soft and LPS corals - leathers, mushrooms, etc. The bulbs turn on independently, and I have a dual timer for them. I know that I should run the lights 10-12 hours a day, but... Is it OK for about 4 of those hourse to be Blue Actinic only, or does the blue really not do much for the corals?

03/05/2006, 09:05 PM	#2
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	The "daylight" bulbs you're speaking of have a higher PAR value than the actinics and so they will promote growth moreso than the actinics will. I think the best practice would be for the actinics to go on some time before the "daylights" and then remain on for some time after the "daylights" go out. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR