MH and actinics?

[Mopar Reefer]

I have a 100gal tank with softies and a LPS. I'm upgrading my lighting to 2 250 MH's from a 8 bulb Nova extreme. Do i need to supplement the MH's with some time of actinics or can I just run the MH's?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Do you like the blue hue in your tank or do you like white?

 

[username in use]

you could run 14k or even 20k if you want the bluer look without the additional bulbs

 

[Mopar Reefer]

I like the blue but am looking for growth not just cosmetics? The MH set-up has SE 14k's. Growth shouldn't be a problem with just the MH's right?

 

[jubjub]

well lower the Kelvin rating the better growth you should get....6500 is natural sunlight but is quite yellow...i went with 10k bulbs to get good growth...although it doesnt look good...imo even with antinics, its still mediocre but good growth....

new tank im going with phoenix 14k's though

 

[reefscape15]

Agreed with jubjubrsx. 14k is probably the best mix of growth and color, but i prefer the look of 20k the best. No you don't have to add actinics if you choose not to. If you want supplimental lighting, i've seen many metal halide systems with only LED as supliment, and they look pretty stunning sometimes