Do I need Actinic Lighting?

TCC · #1 10/07/2006, 07:24 PM

I have an all MH system running 3 250W lamps over a 75 gal tank.

I'm curious if I need, or should have, actinic supplementation?

If I'm not supplementing with actinic PC or T5, is there a specific spectrum of MH bulb I should be running?

(I run the two end lights about 4 hrs/day and the center light is on for 9hrs/day) I keep a mix of SPS and LPS, and a clam.

Thanks in advance for any advise you can offer.

superedge88 · #2 10/07/2006, 08:25 PM

You don't have to use actinic suppliment, but many people like the mix asthetically. You need to see what you like the looks of before you make your decision on exactly what type of 250 watt bulb you want to use.

kypatriot · #3 10/07/2006, 08:44 PM

I've asked whether actinics were necessary before too, and the answer I got was that it's just a personal preference for looks.

Ti · #4 10/07/2006, 09:08 PM

It really is up to you.

TCC · #5 10/08/2006, 07:47 AM

Excellent. Thank you for the replies.

michaelm2431 · #6 10/08/2006, 07:58 AM

What spectrum are you're 250watt bulbs? 10K 12K 20 K ? Here's a pic of my 125 with 20K on both sides and 10K in the middle. With no atnics. Hope this helps.

TCC · #7 10/08/2006, 08:16 AM

Yes, thank you for the pic! That does help a lot actually. I got the lights used and it came with a Radium-Blue center lamp and 6500K for the sides.

I don't particularly care for the 6500K lights. It hadn't ocurred to me to go blueer at the ends and a bit lighter in the middle, but I like the affect.

Are the 20K considered basically the same as "actinic"? Both basically mean at the blueer end of the spectrum, right?

-Beautiful tank by the way.

michaelm2431 · #8 10/08/2006, 08:28 AM

Thanks. The pics. were last months. This month , the tank is full and had to set up another 75gal tank.
Radium's are supposed to be the best for growth and color, I heard. With the 20K, you don't need the actinic. The growth isn't as good as the 65K or the 10K. The stuff in the center of the tank grows twice as quick as the sides. I think I'm gonna switch out the 10K with a bluer bulb (12k or 15K) I rather have the nice look than the quick growth.

michaelm2431 · #9 10/08/2006, 08:30 AM

Yes, the higher the #, the bluer the spectrum.

bogdanman9 · #10 10/18/2006, 10:08 PM

Put the actinics on a timer so they come on for the dawn dusk effect - they look great