using 6500k compact bulbs?

[jadeguppy]

I've heard some people get great growth using these. Has anyone experinced this? My tank is only 16" deep. Is there something that can be bought locally to bring out the coral colors? Maybe a black light?

[jadeguppy]

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[blufish]

You'll need something in the actinic range to fluoresce corals. Blacklights are not the right wavelengths and are too dim.

[elegance coral]

I have run as low as 5K over Elegance corals. Great growth, but ugly as sin. They need lots of supplemental actinics.

[jadeguppy]

So for a grow out tank, the 6500k "pig tail" lights that are about $3 each will work, but for my eyes to see the coloration I will need some type of supplemental actinics. However, the actinics are not needed for the corals health and growth. Am I correct on all of this? What do you suggest for actinics? I'm not sure how ling I will keep this tank up, so I don't want to spend a bunch of $ right now.

[DarthBaiter]

You can get actinic screw on florecence lights from coral life. They do a great job in a grow out tank. I use one Actinic and one 6500k.
http://www.oceanicsystems.com/assets/006/12808_400wh.jpg

[jadeguppy]

I think I have seen those for sale at Walmart. Thanks for the idea!

[jadeguppy]

Okay, I put 3 100watt equivelent bulbs over my 40g long frag tank. It actually doesn't look too bad. My green mushrooms still glow. Right now I don't have any sps under them. Will sps or clams grow under these bulbs?

[Alexaggie]

I am building a canopy for a 55g. I have 2x 175w MH on it but I am not sure if I will have room for T5 actinics. Would 2 or three of the screw in bulbs above provide decent actinic for this setup?