using 6500k compact bulbs?

jadeguppy · 03/22/2008, 02:57 PM

I've heard some people get great growth using these. Has anyone experinced this? My tank is only 16" deep. Is there something that can be bought locally to bring out the coral colors? Maybe a black light?

jadeguppy · 03/22/2008, 04:15 PM

back to page 1

blufish · 03/22/2008, 04:50 PM

You'll need something in the actinic range to fluoresce corals. Blacklights are not the right wavelengths and are too dim.

elegance coral · 03/22/2008, 06:17 PM

I have run as low as 5K over Elegance corals. Great growth, but ugly as sin. They need lots of supplemental actinics.

jadeguppy · 03/22/2008, 08:50 PM

So for a grow out tank, the 6500k "pig tail" lights that are about $3 each will work, but for my eyes to see the coloration I will need some type of supplemental actinics. However, the actinics are not needed for the corals health and growth. Am I correct on all of this? What do you suggest for actinics? I'm not sure how ling I will keep this tank up, so I don't want to spend a bunch of $ right now.

DarthBaiter · 03/22/2008, 09:44 PM

You can get actinic screw on florecence lights from coral life. They do a great job in a grow out tank. I use one Actinic and one 6500k.

jadeguppy · 03/23/2008, 08:03 AM

I think I have seen those for sale at Walmart. Thanks for the idea!

jadeguppy · 04/01/2008, 08:28 AM

Okay, I put 3 100watt equivelent bulbs over my 40g long frag tank. It actually doesn't look too bad. My green mushrooms still glow. Right now I don't have any sps under them. Will sps or clams grow under these bulbs?

Alexaggie · 04/01/2008, 01:02 PM

I am building a canopy for a 55g. I have 2x 175w MH on it but I am not sure if I will have room for T5 actinics. Would 2 or three of the screw in bulbs above provide decent actinic for this setup?

03/22/2008, 02:57 PM	#1
jadeguppy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: nw Florida Posts: 2,611	using 6500k compact bulbs? I've heard some people get great growth using these. Has anyone experinced this? My tank is only 16" deep. Is there something that can be bought locally to bring out the coral colors? Maybe a black light?

03/22/2008, 06:17 PM	#4
elegance coral They call me EC Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: central Florida Posts: 6,208	I have run as low as 5K over Elegance corals. Great growth, but ugly as sin. They need lots of supplemental actinics. __________________ "Most of the failures with marine aquaria are due to lack of knowledge of the biological processes that occur in the aquarium." Martin A. Moe, Jr. "A scientist seeks the truth, wherever that may lead. A believer already knows the truth, and cannot be swayed no matter how compelling the evidence." Current Tank Info: I'm trying to see how many tanks will fit in my house before the wife loses it.

03/22/2008, 09:44 PM	#6
DarthBaiter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 662	You can get actinic screw on florecence lights from coral life. They do a great job in a grow out tank. I use one Actinic and one 6500k. __________________ "Fluke, I'm yo faddah, come join me on the DockSIde!" Current Tank Info: 90g reef display 30g sump, 75g display 10g sump, 30g cube display, 12g AP reef, 14g BC reef, and a 75g planted livebearer tank.

04/01/2008, 01:02 PM	#9
Alexaggie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 31	I am building a canopy for a 55g. I have 2x 175w MH on it but I am not sure if I will have room for T5 actinics. Would 2 or three of the screw in bulbs above provide decent actinic for this setup? __________________ ------PBITAWA-------

03/22/2008, 04:15 PM	#2
jadeguppy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: nw Florida Posts: 2,611	back to page 1

03/22/2008, 04:50 PM	#3
blufish 10 & Over Club Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 212	You'll need something in the actinic range to fluoresce corals. Blacklights are not the right wavelengths and are too dim.

03/22/2008, 08:50 PM	#5
jadeguppy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: nw Florida Posts: 2,611	So for a grow out tank, the 6500k "pig tail" lights that are about $3 each will work, but for my eyes to see the coloration I will need some type of supplemental actinics. However, the actinics are not needed for the corals health and growth. Am I correct on all of this? What do you suggest for actinics? I'm not sure how ling I will keep this tank up, so I don't want to spend a bunch of $ right now.

03/23/2008, 08:03 AM	#7
jadeguppy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: nw Florida Posts: 2,611	I think I have seen those for sale at Walmart. Thanks for the idea!

04/01/2008, 08:28 AM	#8
jadeguppy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: nw Florida Posts: 2,611	Okay, I put 3 100watt equivelent bulbs over my 40g long frag tank. It actually doesn't look too bad. My green mushrooms still glow. Right now I don't have any sps under them. Will sps or clams grow under these bulbs?