Necessity of Actinic ?

[wsboyette]

If using plenty of MH lighting, is it really necessary to augment that with Actinic when keeping corals ?

 

[Flavum]

no its not at all. I run just a 150 pendent and my corals grow like weeds. although obviously your corals will get a better coloration with Actinic lighting.

 

[joeychitwood]

What kind of MH bulb(s) are you using? A 14K bulb generally has enough blue to eliminate the need for specific actinics. A 20K bulb will be very blue.

 

[crvz]

usually they're for visual affect only.

 

[an411]

I am a big fan of reeflux 12k bulbs give a great hint of blue makes the actinics not necessary

 

[wsboyette]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13289214#post13289214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joeychitwood
What kind of MH bulb(s) are you using? A 14K bulb generally has enough blue to eliminate the need for specific actinics. A 20K bulb will be very blue.

I am still in the planning stages, soon to be ordering my chosen skimmer and lighting equipment. The 14K MH @ 175 watts will be what I'll use, then (on a tank that is 24" deep).

 

[joeychitwood]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13290050#post13290050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wsboyette
I am still in the planning stages, soon to be ordering my chosen skimmer and lighting equipment. The 14K MH @ 175 watts will be what I'll use, then (on a tank that is 24" deep).

I have a 14K Phoenix bulb in my Giesemann pendant, and the coral growth in my tank is very satisfactory. I also like the appearance, bright white light with a hint of blue.

 

[boilermaker1]

Running 14K Hamiltons... no actinics... stuff grows just fine.