How much Actinic Light?

[Bandsaw]

I currently have two (2) 65W 10000K PC and two (2) 65W Actinic PC bulbs in a Coralife Aqualight, 48".

I also have an old NO Fluorescent fixture (48") that came with the system but I am not using.

I am thinking about replacing the 65W Actinic PC bulbs with additional 10 000K PC for a total of 4 65W 10 000K bulbs.

I'd use the NO fixture and put 2 NO (I think they are 32 or 48W) Actinic Blue 03 bulbs in it.

My question is "How much Actinic light is needed on a 75g tank (18 inch depth). Would this scheme work?

 

[samsfishnchips]

Bandsaw,

actinic is mostly personal taste, do more or less as you like it better

sam

 

[Bandsaw]

Thanks Nunez for the info.

 

[fishaholic911]

I love the look of the actinic.I run 5 super actinic 95 watt uri vho and 1 50/50 95 watt uri vho on my 110 tall

 

[HowardW]

If you switch to all 10K Coralife bulbs your tank is definately going to have a yellowish tint to it, as the 10K Coralifes do give off a white/yellow color.

You could also replace your actinics with 50/50s for a 3-1 ratio of 10K to actinic. Also if you use the Current Sunpaq 50/50s as opposed to the Coralife ones, that will further cut back on the yellow look and also be brighter because the Sunpaqs are a 10K/7100K and not an 03 actinic.

 

[Bandsaw]

Thanks Howard for the idea. I was looking at the 50/50 bulbs yestorday on a website. Until then, I did not know they were made.

Would you suggest I still use the NO Actinic in addition to the 50/50 and 10K combos (that would be 2 65W 10K PC, 2 10K/7100K 65W PC and 2 NO Actinic 03 (48" NO))?

 

[docwells]

I run four 110watt actinics on my 68 gallon tank. It is only 3 inches shorter than your 75. I also runn two DE 250 watt MH. Currently running phoenix bulb, but will be switching back to ushio. Colors are good, but growth is less in my opinion.

 

[HowardW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7366375#post7366375 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bandsaw
Thanks Howard for the idea. I was looking at the 50/50 bulbs yestorday on a website. Until then, I did not know they were made.

Would you suggest I still use the NO Actinic in addition to the 50/50 and 10K combos (that would be 2 65W 10K PC, 2 10K/7100K 65W PC and 2 NO Actinic 03 (48" NO))?

It's all a matter of personal preference and what the light requirements of your particular tank are. The 6500K and 10Ks will give you the most PAR for your tank. If you added 1 or 2 48" NO flourescent tubes to supplement, you may be able to get away with running all 10K's on your PC bulbs or even the dual daylight 6500/10K PC bulbs. The 48" URI (UV Lighting) NO Super actinic bulbs will give a very nice look to supplement your 10K PC bulbs in my opinion.

 

[Bandsaw]

OK Thanks all.

I have one Crocea that I wanted to bump the lights up on was the reasoning. I've had him for quite a while and is doing well (closing respose is fast and does not seem to be over extended). He is located 6" under the water surface and is securely fastened to the rock work that he sits on.

I tried putting the NO fixture on the tank with the Coralife. It fits, but leaves no room for working, heat evaporation, etc.

I may try the 50/50 with the Actinic. I like the looks of the tank now. Just a little worried about what it will look like with a 3:1 ratio as opposed to the current 2:1 (10K:Actinic).

I know I should upgrade to MH, however up here, a new MH unit is well over a grand to purchase.

All the other corals are doing fantasic with good growth and some are splitting. I should post new pics sometime.