Is actinic light mandatory??

tabwyo · 11-24-2006, 12:29 PM

I was wanting to upgrade to a nice HQI pendant for my large display so I could rob the Orbit fixture for my 29/HF/BB tank. I like the sleek look of those sexy little pendants. Simple, clean and most of all small. I like the white look of a 10k bulb. I was wondering if any of yall run MH w/o actinic supplamentation and if so have you seen a +/- effect. I would really preffer not to have another bulky fixture if I can get away with it.

gwaco · 11-24-2006, 05:57 PM

tabwyo , sure you can run it with-out actinic supplements . remember most of what we use is for our aesthetically pleased eyes , nothing else really cares . you will just need to find a 10 k bulb you like .

tabwyo · 11-24-2006, 06:23 PM

Well you hear so much about how actinic light accelerates photosynthisis in corals. I am not looking for record growth or award winning photo ops. But I do want to maitain a healthy environment with as colorful corals as possible within reason.

gwaco · 11-24-2006, 07:41 PM

well you could opt to go with something around a 14k too add just a bit more blue .

gwaco · 11-24-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabwyo

Well you hear so much about how actinic light accelerates photosynthisis in corals. I am not looking for record growth or award winning photo ops. But I do want to maitain a healthy environment with as colorful corals as possible within reason.

you could also just leave the light on longer to . the m.h. that is .

jenajet · 11-24-2006, 09:20 PM

My 90 runs on mh alone and have very good coral growth so I think the pendant alone will be fine.

pledosophy · 11-25-2006, 12:10 AM

Iuse only a 14k bulb, but I'm a sps newb.

tabwyo · 11-25-2006, 03:59 PM

So hows about a 175w 10k over a 29g? I'd rest the pendant on 2"x2" blocks right on top of the display.

wharyat · 11-25-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabwyo

So hows about a 175w 10k over a 29g? I'd rest the pendant on 2"x2" blocks right on top of the display.

Sounds good to me.

Yep actinics are mostly for our enjoyment. They can, however, keep photosynthesis going after the MH lights are off.

tabwyo · 11-26-2006, 10:23 AM

I think I may go with a 250w HQI. I can pick one up cheap. I tried the 175 over the tank and it just isn't bright enough for me.

Loverotties · 11-26-2006, 03:52 PM

Sounds good!

combiemaster · 11-26-2006, 04:16 PM

i run two 250w over my 100G with 20k Bulbs at the start its really blue but after the 100hr burn i love the color i got looks nice and white and blue. my corals and fish love it plus since i got it i have purple coraline growing on my rocks that was not there before.

tabwyo · 11-26-2006, 05:17 PM

Just hopin that 250 wats won't bring the heat up more than I can deal with with a fan.

Wiskey · 11-28-2006, 11:04 AM

I use only XM10K 250W MH over my 125. Corals are happy and growing.

Whiskey

Mike O'Brien · 11-30-2006, 01:19 PM

Have you looked into the Iwasaki 15k 175 watt ?