Do you have to supliment MH lighting

jeeptp75 · 02/27/2006, 12:03 PM

I see so many hood systems anymore that have both Metal Halide lights and compact flourescent or Metal Halide lights and VHO lights. Do you have to have both? My tank is only 13" wide and I dont have much room for that much lighting? I found nice Metal Halide system only that I like but its only 2 - 150w 20,000 k bulbs. Is that enough or do I need to supliment. My tank is 22" deep.

eckrynock · 02/27/2006, 01:08 PM

Actinic supplementation is mainly a preference thing. 20k bulbs are too blue for my preference already. Most people who run 20ks don't supplement with actinics. Running two 12ks or 14ks may be blue enough for you without getting the actinics.

jeeptp75 · 02/27/2006, 01:24 PM

So basicly its a look thing more than an addional growth thing?

anjhof · 02/27/2006, 02:16 PM

yes - I like the actinics so it is not such a drastic change from bright lights to darkness. Although, from what I understand actinics do nothing for the growth of corals.

02/27/2006, 12:03 PM	#1
jeeptp75 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 415	Do you have to supliment MH lighting I see so many hood systems anymore that have both Metal Halide lights and compact flourescent or Metal Halide lights and VHO lights. Do you have to have both? My tank is only 13" wide and I dont have much room for that much lighting? I found nice Metal Halide system only that I like but its only 2 - 150w 20,000 k bulbs. Is that enough or do I need to supliment. My tank is 22" deep.

02/27/2006, 01:08 PM	#2
eckrynock Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 733	Actinic supplementation is mainly a preference thing. 20k bulbs are too blue for my preference already. Most people who run 20ks don't supplement with actinics. Running two 12ks or 14ks may be blue enough for you without getting the actinics. __________________ Ed Genesis 1:21 Current Tank Info: 90 gal

02/27/2006, 01:24 PM	#3
jeeptp75 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 415	So basicly its a look thing more than an addional growth thing?

02/27/2006, 02:16 PM	#4
anjhof Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Huntley, IL Posts: 746	yes - I like the actinics so it is not such a drastic change from bright lights to darkness. Although, from what I understand actinics do nothing for the growth of corals.