Question What is atinic lighting for?

rhoodhouse · 11/14/2006, 08:24 AM

I have a question what does Atinic Lighting do for your reef system? I really am not sure if there is a reason that you need atinics or if it is just to make your tank look nicer.

Thanks
Rodney

RichConley · 11/14/2006, 09:25 AM

It looks nice.

jeffbrig · 11/14/2006, 10:20 AM

Certain pigments in corals flouresce (glow) when hit with light at a specific wavelength. Actinic bulbs provide that spectrum in mass quantities. Look for threads with photos taken under actinic.

And as Rich says, it looks nice.

Here's a picture someone took under actinic (I've "borrowed" it for use here). Note the blue background, that's what color the lighting is. However, the zoas absorb the blue, and emit neon green, orange, red, etc. That's why people love actinics.

DrHank · 11/14/2006, 10:44 AM

Actinics were designed to increase the depth of light penetration. Thereby they increased the PAR to the tank (long before people were talking about PAR). With the advent of MH and VHO lighting they became less necessary and more to enhance the visual enjoyment of your tank. jefbrig hits the nail right on the head regarding and his signiture "Beware..." are words to live by IMO. CHEERS!

RichConley · 11/14/2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jeffbrig
Certain pigments in corals flouresce (glow) when hit with light at a specific wavelength. Actinic bulbs provide that spectrum in mass quantities. Look for threads with photos taken under actinic.

The issue is that your average 10K bulb puts out almost (within 90%) as much blue/purple light as your average actinic bulb. Take a look at the spectral chart for a 10K bulb next to a 20K bulb. The 10K has just as much blue, just also has much more yellow/green/red/etc.

Actinics are for looks, period. Theyre a significant dropoff in many wavelengths, with no real gains in any.

11/14/2006, 08:24 AM	#1
rhoodhouse Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 166	Question What is atinic lighting for? I have a question what does Atinic Lighting do for your reef system? I really am not sure if there is a reason that you need atinics or if it is just to make your tank look nicer. Thanks Rodney __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯>((((º> Current Tank Info: 70gal Main Tank (2) 175w MH lighting 20gal sump, 5gal nano (wifes), & 40gal Prop System

11/14/2006, 09:25 AM	#2
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	It looks nice. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

11/14/2006, 10:20 AM	#3
jeffbrig Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 5,548	Certain pigments in corals flouresce (glow) when hit with light at a specific wavelength. Actinic bulbs provide that spectrum in mass quantities. Look for threads with photos taken under actinic. And as Rich says, it looks nice. Here's a picture someone took under actinic (I've "borrowed" it for use here). Note the blue background, that's what color the lighting is. However, the zoas absorb the blue, and emit neon green, orange, red, etc. That's why people love actinics. __________________ Beware the power of stupid people in large groups..... Current Tank Info: formerly 250g room divider

11/14/2006, 10:44 AM	#4
DrHank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,138	Actinics were designed to increase the depth of light penetration. Thereby they increased the PAR to the tank (long before people were talking about PAR). With the advent of MH and VHO lighting they became less necessary and more to enhance the visual enjoyment of your tank. jefbrig hits the nail right on the head regarding and his signiture "Beware..." are words to live by IMO. CHEERS! __________________ Doc (Click the red house for the FPRS site) Current Tank Info: 210 gallon Mixed reef, 65 reef