Actinic Lighting

RonD · 05/02/2007, 10:09 AM

Looking in a lot of stores that produce/grow corals, I see many using only Halide lighting. There is rarely if ever any actinic lighting to be seen. Is there really any benefit to running Actinics aside from our simple visual pleasure looking in.

Village Idiot · 05/02/2007, 10:22 AM

Actinics seem to be more for the humans rather than the corals and fish. It make their colors fluoresce and look pretty.

Kaiser Tang · 05/02/2007, 10:34 AM

Although actinics do add some light, they are mostly for just adding viewing pleasure. They bring out corals' colors. You don't need them by any means. Halides do all of the work.

taketz · 05/02/2007, 11:42 AM

Well, not necessarily halides, but the daylight spectrum bulbs do most of the work.

Although, I've always liked Actinics almost purely their affect on colors, I also can't help but think that going from darkness to 100% strength daylight should be offset by something, hence sunrise/sunset aspect of actinics.

RonD · 05/02/2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by taketz
going from darkness to 100% strength daylight should be offset by something, hence sunrise/sunset aspect of actinics.

this is something I hadn't thought of before.. in a fish tank yes, but in an all coral evironment ?? worth while ?

kfowler · 05/02/2007, 05:37 PM

Some say the extra spectrum does help. I think it's still open for discussion. People run their frag tanks with no actinics and they seem to do fine.

05/02/2007, 10:09 AM	#1
RonD Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 721	Actinic Lighting Looking in a lot of stores that produce/grow corals, I see many using only Halide lighting. There is rarely if ever any actinic lighting to be seen. Is there really any benefit to running Actinics aside from our simple visual pleasure looking in. __________________ If I had a clue... I'd be sitting on the floor playing with it. My vid's http://www.youtube.com/user/rondev Current Tank Info: 210 Gal Display, 220 Gal frag tank, 300 gal sump, Sequence Hammer head Pump, Reeflo Orca 250 Skimmer, 2x400w MH. Tit. Heaters, 200+ lbs Jakarta LR and an empty wallet :)

05/02/2007, 10:34 AM	#3
Kaiser Tang Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,314	Although actinics do add some light, they are mostly for just adding viewing pleasure. They bring out corals' colors. You don't need them by any means. Halides do all of the work. __________________ "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: Marineland 150 XH Reef w/ 55 AGA Sump, Oceans Motions Super Squirt, Ecotech Marine Vortech, Current Prime 1/3 hp Chiller, 200 lbs. LR, 175 lbs. LS, 800 watts PFO MH and 440 watts IceCap VHO. Softies, LPS, and Clams!

05/02/2007, 05:37 PM	#6
kfowler Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,095	Some say the extra spectrum does help. I think it's still open for discussion. People run their frag tanks with no actinics and they seem to do fine. __________________ Kevin "You cannot achieve what you are not willing to pursue." Current Tank Info: 20g Mixed Reef

05/02/2007, 10:22 AM	#2
Village Idiot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 214	Actinics seem to be more for the humans rather than the corals and fish. It make their colors fluoresce and look pretty.

05/02/2007, 11:42 AM	#4
taketz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 504	Well, not necessarily halides, but the daylight spectrum bulbs do most of the work. Although, I've always liked Actinics almost purely their affect on colors, I also can't help but think that going from darkness to 100% strength daylight should be offset by something, hence sunrise/sunset aspect of actinics.