Do actinics 'do' anything?

[SeanT]

After reading a few recent threads it has gotten me to wondering this.
I have a 75 gallon tank with dual 250 w metal halides (A Ushio 10k and a Iwasaki 6500k...growth experiment.)
I also have 2, 110 watt actinic VHO bulbs.

Now, they do make the tank a bit more pleasing to the eye but do they aid in the growth of SPS, Clams etc?

And are there any studies that show this?

Thanks.

[MalHavoc]

Straight from the man:

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=793652&highlight=actinic#post793652

[SeanT]

Thanks Jason. :thumbsup:

[Will]

Let me just mention that I'm running a 10k 175w MH bulb on my 20H along with 2x75w super actinic VHOs, and a few weeks ago I had a hood made for that tank. It arrived about two weeks ago and it's an excellent hood, but the actinics don't fit in it. I'm going to have to get some grooves routed out so that I can slide the VHOs in. Without the VHOs, the tank is just UGLY. Everything is brown, brown, brown. I WANT MY VHOs BACK!!! :(
-Will
ps- Anyone know the best way to route out those grooves? The wood is 3/4" thick and the grooves will need to be ~1/4" deep, ~2" across, and ~8" up the sides of the hood. Is it feasible?

[Carribean Reef Man]

Completly possible just depends on how much space and patience you have. The best way is to use a router and make 2-3 passes.

[Jamesurq]

if you don't have a router, just use a razor knife to score the spot you need to deepen and chisel it out.

[reefsareus]

I have 2-110 watt actinics (URI) on my 120. I also run 2-250 watt 10K bluelines and a 400 watt 20K radium. I like the tank better with the vho's and believe that all the blue light gives the corals better color.

REEFS

[wizardgus®]

WARNING: Anecdote ahead.

I have resisted this whole VHO/Actinic thing until now. Just added 1 95W VHO URI bulb to my fixture. The very first day my Torch opened way more. Also, my "defective fluorescent corals now fluoresce quite nicely. I'm sold. :cool: