Adding Actinic

[ratherbefishin]

I have a 20H that is currently illuminated by a Coralife 65watt PC fixture. The bulb is stock, its a 50/50 that is 10K and actinic. While all the corals seem to be doing fine under this lighting as of now, I am wondering about the benefit of adding an additional actinic fixture (an LFS near me has Coralife T5 single & double linear strips). A) Will this increase the coloration of my corals more so? (a few shrooms, a few zoas, a candy cane, some xenia, a kenya tree and green sinularia are all that I have in the tank at the moment) B) Will I notice improved aesthetics by adding more blue to the lighting?

I am limited on the type of lighting the tank is in my dorm--metal halides are too hot, etc.

Any other lighting suggestions would be great too,
thanks.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

actinic will definately make the colors appear better, but they are not needed really. But i always have them anyways. And yes, you will notice improved aesthetics with more blue.

And if i were you, i'd just get the 50/50 gone and replace it w/a full 10K if you are getting another one (which would be actinic or 460nm BLUE. I prefer the 460's over 03 actinics...03 actinic is 420nm and is much more purple. Its what is on the 50/50 bulb you have now most likely)