what role do blue antic lights play in the reef.

Caetano_Thiago · 10/21/2009, 04:24 AM

so im thinking about getting the solana rimless cube from current-usa. now they have this cool polished light pendant 150w MH. but that would be the only light that comes w/ the tank.. im pretty sure the pendant doesnt have some blue LEDs or Small Compact blue antics. soo my questions is what is the role of those blue antics? regualates sleeping pattners? coral growth? what happens to fish and coral if they dont get this? are they missing out on some sort of light spectrum from those bulbs?

Zebodog · 10/21/2009, 06:36 AM

MH of 10,000K and above don't need actinic supplements. They produce enough light in the blue spectrum. Corals and fish will be fine without them when running MH
Having said that many people, myself included, like them as a dusk/dawn bulb.

stanlalee · 10/21/2009, 06:43 AM

if it comes with leds nothing. they are just moonlights and dont have enough intensity to do anything but enhance your viewing pleasure with the main lights off. 420nm true actinic (which is dim purple looking not blue) is responsible for pigment production in corals so they are in fact functional. Actual blue (450-460nm) may help flourescing corals floresce (I think) and makes the tank visually appealing (also can have significant photosynthetic energy...read can sustain some photosynthesis). generally 420nm for function and 460nm for looks. Most 20k halides have plenty of spike in the 450-460nm area and even some whiter bulbs have significant 420nm energy (AB 13K bulbs) so you dont HAVE to have supplemental actinics.

10/21/2009, 04:24 AM	#1
Caetano_Thiago Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: 831 Salinas Posts: 420	what role do blue antic lights play in the reef. so im thinking about getting the solana rimless cube from current-usa. now they have this cool polished light pendant 150w MH. but that would be the only light that comes w/ the tank.. im pretty sure the pendant doesnt have some blue LEDs or Small Compact blue antics. soo my questions is what is the role of those blue antics? regualates sleeping pattners? coral growth? what happens to fish and coral if they dont get this? are they missing out on some sort of light spectrum from those bulbs? __________________ just keep telling myself that i only spent half of what was actually spent.. and ill be ok. Current Tank Info: 14G Oceanic BC, RapidLed Retro kit with Cree LEDS, intank media basket (middle chamber turned into fuge),Intank fishsaver, MJ900 return pump,hydor deflector, intank water director, intank fuge underwater light, jbj ato, EcoTech MP10ES

10/21/2009, 06:36 AM	#2
Zebodog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 692	MH of 10,000K and above don't need actinic supplements. They produce enough light in the blue spectrum. Corals and fish will be fine without them when running MH Having said that many people, myself included, like them as a dusk/dawn bulb.

10/21/2009, 06:43 AM	#3
stanlalee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hampton roads, va Posts: 1,799	if it comes with leds nothing. they are just moonlights and dont have enough intensity to do anything but enhance your viewing pleasure with the main lights off. 420nm true actinic (which is dim purple looking not blue) is responsible for pigment production in corals so they are in fact functional. Actual blue (450-460nm) may help flourescing corals floresce (I think) and makes the tank visually appealing (also can have significant photosynthetic energy...read can sustain some photosynthesis). generally 420nm for function and 460nm for looks. Most 20k halides have plenty of spike in the 450-460nm area and even some whiter bulbs have significant 420nm energy (AB 13K bulbs) so you dont HAVE to have supplemental actinics.