Blue vs Actinic, timing of each?

Coral Reefer TX · 03/05/2006, 07:39 PM

Newbie question ...

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?
Thanks

Coral Reefer TX · 03/06/2006, 06:01 PM

any thoughts?
Thanks

kelleymmm1 · 03/06/2006, 07:51 PM

I have been wondering the same. will running the actinic lights do any thing possitive. and do you run those all night like moon lights?

Coral Reefer TX · 03/06/2006, 08:08 PM

Kelley,
Still not sure about positive effects of actinics, but I don't think many people would recommend running them more than 12 hours a day. They do likely contribute to algae growth if overused.

swashbuckler · 03/06/2006, 09:32 PM

although corals can use actinic spectrum, they benefit far more from wavelengths peaking at 420-460nm (actinic) AND 650-700nm (yellow-red)........which most FULL spectrum lighting incorporates- you can see this as well with coral response- they will typically not expand as much until the daylights come on......

03/05/2006, 07:39 PM	#1
Coral Reefer TX Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 59	Blue vs Actinic, timing of each? Newbie question ... 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? Thanks

03/06/2006, 09:32 PM	#5
swashbuckler Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,726	although corals can use actinic spectrum, they benefit far more from wavelengths peaking at 420-460nm (actinic) AND 650-700nm (yellow-red)........which most FULL spectrum lighting incorporates- you can see this as well with coral response- they will typically not expand as much until the daylights come on...... __________________ "Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop" -The Producers Current Tank Info: 40breeder, 150W AquaMedic Oceanlight, 190W VHO Superactinics, AquaC Remora, 5 gallon fuge.

03/06/2006, 06:01 PM	#2
Coral Reefer TX Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 59	any thoughts? Thanks

03/06/2006, 07:51 PM	#3
kelleymmm1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 55	I have been wondering the same. will running the actinic lights do any thing possitive. and do you run those all night like moon lights?

03/06/2006, 08:08 PM	#4
Coral Reefer TX Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 59	Kelley, Still not sure about positive effects of actinics, but I don't think many people would recommend running them more than 12 hours a day. They do likely contribute to algae growth if overused.