When to change Atinics??

[GrampaDon]

Do the atinics really need to be changed before they burn out.?

I'm kinda under the assumption they are not needed except for sunrise and sunset, and that the halides perform the photosynthesis work.? Am I way off base here.?

 

[chrissreef]

Yes, actinics have a 420nm or 460nm spectrum peak which is what zooxanthellae (in coral tissue) needs to photosynthesize. The MH has some of this spectrum as well as others (red, green, yellow etc.) which corals don't need as much, we add this for our eyes. So basically, both the MH and actinics product spectrum and PAR (think intensity) that the corals use. As the bulbs age, this spectrum alters and the corals can't photosynthesize as much. They look like "mood" lights to us but the spectrum both they and MH produce help the corals grow.

 

[GrampaDon]

Yes, actinics have a 420nm or 460nm spectrum peak which is what zooxanthellae (in coral tissue) needs to photosynthesize. The MH has some of this spectrum as well as others (red, green, yellow etc.) which corals don't need as much, we add this for our eyes. So basically, both the MH and actinics product spectrum and PAR (think intensity) that the corals use. As the bulbs age, this spectrum alters and the corals can't photosynthesize as much. They look like "mood" lights to us but the spectrum both they and MH produce help the corals grow.

Gotit, and thanks.

I will need to order new ones then.

 

[inlandreef]

The average rule of thumb is to change your fluorescents around 10 to 12 months.