Question for halide owners

[Trueno22]

Do 20k bulbs have the same effect as actinics? Where they make the colors of the coral glow like a black light. Or would I have to supplement actinics to get that effect?

 

[graveyardworm]

20k is nice for making the colors pop, but to get that nice flouresing glow you will need actinics.

 

[GaryR1984]

They get you closer as they have a bluer color then 10 and 14k bulbs. If you want the extreme pop then you would need supplemental lighting. I think a 20k bulb is fine w/o more lights.

 

[Trueno22]

great thanks for the advice. I was going nuts not being able to see the brilliant blue I use to get in my zoo's when under pcs.

 

[Trueno22]

I think I will buy a 24 inch t5 fixture. since I have a 10 gallon if shouldn't affect me much from going fro halide to t5s

 

[Fuzzy]

You might want to take a look at the Current USA 460nm LED lights in addition to the T5's.
They will give back some of the actinic pop, as well as add some shimmer to the water.

 

[Trueno22]

I was looking at those the look awesome, but the thing is I would have to have a canopy built for my 10 gallon. and I have no idea where I would buy a canopy for it lol

 

[fcm90]

build it very simple especially on a 10G

 

[orlandobrian]

I have an idea... what about buying one of those cheep basic petsmart/petsupermarket/walmart/garage sale 10 gallon light fixtures and gut it. Then you could srew the LED fixture to the inside of that and it would rest on top of the tank - even have air holes already drilled on top.

 

[Fuzzy]

Along that same line,AH Supply makes retro kits that fit perfectly in the hoods.

http://www.ahsupply.com/

I used their Bright Light kit on our 25 Tall when I kept Seahorses. Nice rig for very little $'s.

 

[Trueno22]

wow. you are awesome very great stuff indeed.