Actinic lights or not?

pnyxxpress · 11/28/2007, 04:47 PM

My LFS told me I wouldn't need actinic lighting as long as I use 14k MH. Now I don't think he would steer me wrong but thought I would throw the question out here. To see if a could cause a stir.

Thanks

BeanAnimal · 11/28/2007, 05:47 PM

It just depends on what you like to see.

I have phoenix 14Ks but get a little more pop with a single 54W UVL T5.

You will get better growth with a 10K bulb. You can add actinics until your like the color. You can a little less PAR with a 14K but have more blue (pleasing to the eye) and then decide if you want actinics or not.

I suggest looking at some local reefers tanks, or have the LFS demo some combinations for you.

mg426 · 11/28/2007, 05:55 PM

What looks good to him may not look so good to you. irun 14ks with a couple actinics.

BeanAnimal · 11/28/2007, 07:12 PM

Wow... I just read my post, sorry for not proof reading it folks!

twon8 · 11/28/2007, 07:49 PM

I stopped running actinics a while ago, i do run some t5's in addition to mh. the t5s bring out a lot more/different colors, depending upon bulb choices.

i would get some t5s and a few bulbs and play around with it till you get something appealing to you

mg426 · 11/28/2007, 07:53 PM

Its trial and error unless you see a combo on a tank that you like.

scottfarcuz · 11/28/2007, 08:09 PM

In my experience multiple points of light source will help maintain healthy tissue at the base of sps.

pnyxxpress · 11/29/2007, 07:10 AM

Thanks for the responses!

bhdmc · 11/29/2007, 11:04 AM

I just run my actinic one hours before my 14K MH goes on and one hour after my 14K MH goes off to set up sunrise and sunset. It also cut down the cost of my electric bill and replacement. Like everyones states, it is a matter of preference.

11/28/2007, 04:47 PM	#1
pnyxxpress Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Valle Mines, Mo Posts: 77	Actinic lights or not? My LFS told me I wouldn't need actinic lighting as long as I use 14k MH. Now I don't think he would steer me wrong but thought I would throw the question out here. To see if a could cause a stir. Thanks

11/28/2007, 05:55 PM	#3
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	What looks good to him may not look so good to you. irun 14ks with a couple actinics. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

11/28/2007, 07:49 PM	#5
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	I stopped running actinics a while ago, i do run some t5's in addition to mh. the t5s bring out a lot more/different colors, depending upon bulb choices. i would get some t5s and a few bulbs and play around with it till you get something appealing to you __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

11/28/2007, 07:53 PM	#6
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Its trial and error unless you see a combo on a tank that you like. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

11/28/2007, 05:47 PM	#2
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	It just depends on what you like to see. I have phoenix 14Ks but get a little more pop with a single 54W UVL T5. You will get better growth with a 10K bulb. You can add actinics until your like the color. You can a little less PAR with a 14K but have more blue (pleasing to the eye) and then decide if you want actinics or not. I suggest looking at some local reefers tanks, or have the LFS demo some combinations for you.

11/28/2007, 07:12 PM	#4
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Wow... I just read my post, sorry for not proof reading it folks!

11/28/2007, 08:09 PM	#7
scottfarcuz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,610	In my experience multiple points of light source will help maintain healthy tissue at the base of sps.

11/29/2007, 07:10 AM	#8
pnyxxpress Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Valle Mines, Mo Posts: 77	Thanks for the responses!

11/29/2007, 11:04 AM	#9
bhdmc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New York Posts: 956	I just run my actinic one hours before my 14K MH goes on and one hour after my 14K MH goes off to set up sunrise and sunset. It also cut down the cost of my electric bill and replacement. Like everyones states, it is a matter of preference.