Actinics

[dileggi]

What exactly is the purpose of actinic lights on the tank? Do they actually help in growth and lighting? Or, they simply for coloration?

I looked on the lighting sticky, and I seen it mentioned actinic's, but it really didn't state what their purpose was...unless I missed it.

Thanks!

[an411]

I believe that the actinics are to simulate a dawn and dusk. That is the reason they go on before and stay on after the normal lights go on and off

[dileggi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11707401#post11707401 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by an411
I believe that the actinics are to simulate a dawn and dusk. That is the reason they go on before and stay on after the normal lights go on and off

Hi an411 - thank you! That's what I thought as well, but since they stay on while your "whites" are on, I was wondering or thinking that there had to be more to it than just that. What do you think?

I was going to take this topic to the lighting forum, but I really didn't want to take a newbie question there.

[an411]

That I am not sure of if I had to take a stab at it I would say that is for looks but I could be wrong. I know that the tank looks a lot better with the actinics and my white lights on then just white lights. I am interested to see the answer to this myself hopefully someone can get us the straight info

[Leafer]

I thought that the blue spectrum light penetrates deeper. ie: A diver is in bright white light at the surface but as he descends light blue shifts, darkening to ebony in the abyss . Therefore you get more natural looking light, similar to shallow reefs if you supplement with blue lighting.

[dileggi]

So, then it sounds that the actinics are for nothing more than show?

[Skeptic_07]

i had asked this question too and thats basically what i was told, they're pretty much just for looks.

[atrain5851]

the actinics help provide a full light spectrum

[dileggi]

I appreciate all the feedback. I am in the process of ordering the lighting upgrade kit for the BC29. I'm getting the retro fit kit.

Anyway, it will double my wattage from 72 to 144. Right now, I have 1 36w 10,000k and 1 36w actinic03...plus moonglow/led.

I was going to get 2 36w 10,000 and 2 36w actinic....keeping the led moonglow.

The guy at nano tuners suggested this set up, which lead to my questions:

1 36w 10,000K
1 36w 50/50
2 36w actinic03

again...plus the moonglow/led.

[an411]

I know my t5 setup has 2 10k plus 2 actinics all 54watt