best atinic lighting

dermer · #1 08/02/2007, 01:26 AM

i currently have 2 250 watt 20k mh and i think that i need some atinic supplement what are the best ones to go with

Melody · #2 08/02/2007, 01:34 AM

Vho uri super actinic R is the best, IMO.

dermer · #3 08/02/2007, 02:09 AM

i have been looking at a set of T5 any thoughts on them

Trigeek · #4 08/02/2007, 05:48 AM

I think most are very happy with T5 actinics. They'll take up less room than VHOs. Check the lighting etc. forum.

AZDesertRat · #5 08/02/2007, 12:04 PM

URI (now UV Lighting) VHO Super Actinics are the best available. T5 is close but still does not have the same coloration as VHOs do.

Peter Eichler · #6 08/02/2007, 12:44 PM

T5s actinics can be quite good, however some are far less impressive than others so do some research on bulbs if you decide to go that route.

D-Nak · #7 08/02/2007, 12:46 PM

My first question is... what type of look are you going for or what do you want to accomplish by adding more actinics? I personally think adding actinics to 20k bulbs would be too blue for me. If you're looking for more PAR, then I think you have many options by switching out your halides for ones that produce more PAR.

I personally like the look of the VHO actinics the best (versus T5 or power compacts) since they seem to make things "glow" more. If you have a limited mount of space, T5s will probably give you the most output. I think your best bet is to take a look at LFS set-ups or fellow reefers' tanks who may be using halides and actinic supplmentation to see which you like the best.

D-Nak

RichConley · #8 08/02/2007, 02:16 PM

Adding acticnics to 20Ks isnt goign to make them any more blue. Its going to make them more purple.

D-Nak · #9 08/02/2007, 05:14 PM

Right Rich... too blue too purple... it's going to be too much for me (just my personal taste).

D-Nak

Pmolan · #10 08/02/2007, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dermer
i currently have 2 250 watt 20k mh and i think that i need some atinic supplement what are the best ones to go with

I think the next step for you would be blacklight bulbs. 20K isnt blue enough?

AquaKnight407 · #11 08/02/2007, 10:16 PM

Is your tank back painted or covered at all, dermer? Add a black background (either vinyl or limo tint) and it will make everything pop with those 20k bulbs.

IslandCrow · #12 08/02/2007, 10:57 PM

I agree that T5 actinics don't have quite the same look as the VHOs, but they've gotten much better with the 420nm wavelengths now available. If you go with T5s, I'd suggest getting an equal number of 420nm and 450nm bulbs, like the Geissman Pure Actinic 03 and Actinic Plus. The result is very similar to VHO actinics. The Actinic Plus by itself doesn't have the florescence, and the Pure Actinic by itself is very purple.

dermer · #13 08/03/2007, 09:50 AM

thatnks for all the in put yes my background is blue the reason im looking for somthing to supplement so that i can have a warm up and cool down period instead of mh on mh off i like the color my mh put off they are hqi double end bulbs