why use actinics

[sjfishguy]

Recently I have heard conflicting reports on the benefits of actinics. Some are telling me that they are used purley for asthetic purposes in our tanks, that they don't do any more than make the corals color pop out; that the wavelength actinics produce is not used for photosynthesis, so they are not really doing anything for the health of coral and therefore should not be really counted in your total wattage. Is this true? If so, the only reason we have them is for asthetics then? And I should not worry about changing the bulb until it goes out as long as it still looks nice?

 

[David Grigor]

There is some techical true beneifts, I'm in the belief that some color come from the need for the coral to proctect the zooanthelle from UV. Better for health of coral ? greatly debated and are never going to find a clear cut answer.

However the #1 reason to use or not is aethetics and if you like the additional flourescing qualities that actinics will bring. Also depending on the K value of your daylights as the higher K bulbs can produce some flourescing qualities without the need for actinic supplementation. Most people with 10K or less though prefer actinic supplements.

Most definately there is some useful spectrum from an actnic and/or blue bulb for photosynthesis and definately should be counted. However, I'm not one to use wattage as a way to measure light output so I could care less if you count of don't count the wattage as part of your total. Its the amount of useable light the matters not the wattage. Input of electricity is not directly related with light output.

 

[sjfishguy]

Yeah, I know about the wattage thing, dont want to start that debate. So fine, you shouldnt count an actinic's par value when assessing the total par of your lighting? So I shouldnt worry about changing the actinics anymore as long as they are working then right?

 

[BLANKENSHIP76]

I only change mine when one of them go out. Then I go to ebay, and buy the absolute cheapest acintic PC lights I can find.

I find they usually last around a year, give or take.

 

[HowardW]

<<< Some are telling me that they are used purley for asthetic purposes in our tanks, that they don't do any more than make the corals color pop out; that the wavelength actinics produce is not used for photosynthesis >>>


I dunno, I've read where some people have successfuly kept mixed reef tanks long term using nothing but actinics.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

IMO....complete waste of wattage. Only good for human asthetic's......