Do actinics need replacing?

[jasper24]

I have an Aqualight Pro with a 150W Phoenix 14K and 2 x 65W actinics. I replace the MH bulb every 7-9 months but have not replaced the actinics in a year and a half. Is there any benefit to changing these out or are the actinics just for looks? Thanks.

[laurentb]

by providing a good actinic light to your tank you promote the propagation of coraline algea. plus by using them an hour before and after your daylight you give them a more natural effect.

[riptidesreef]

The actinics should actually be changed more often than the metal halides. Just because they are still lighting does not mean they are still functioning properly. After prolonged use, the actinic will actually change spectrum and begin to promote certain types of algae growth as well as not serving the intended purpose. Live corals actually need a variety of lighting to feed. Like jasper said...it also helps with the production of coralline. I typically change my actinics every 6-8 months (depending on use) and halides every 12 months. I'm sure other people have had different results with different techniques but this has worked well for me so far. Hope this helped.

[H2OLUVSME]

ive never changed an actinic. to my knowledge its so far off the spectrum that even if it shifts, its not enough to matter. shoot a PM to the Ice Cap rep, or check their forum for info on this subject. i specifically remember him commenting on this subject many times.

[mzeinstr]

please post what you do find out..... i'm wondering, also.

marti

[jasper24]

Anyone else have an opinion?

[AcroSteve]

I have not changed my actinics in the two years I have had them. And I got them used. :lol:

I never really thought it was causing me any problems, but my tank is not perfect, so I think there may be a possibility.

[McCrary]

I wouldn't think that changing out the actinics would matter. Most seem to use them as supplemental lighting to MH and because most halides include the 420-480 nm spectrum the actinics simply provide that "pop" and a more blue color to the tank.

[LobsterOfJustice]

It's been almost a year and a half for me (never changed).

I plan on replacing them soon. This is my thinking. Eventhough the VHO's are "supplemental" for me, some people use them as main lighting, so they obviously are strong enough to make a difference in the total light over my tank.

[nickster]

I remember reading that SallyJo of GARF uses URI VHO lighting and that these bulbs in particular keep their speectrum for the duration of the life of the bulb

[dougie]

i have 2x SERA deep sea special atinics over my 55g, and i change them every 6 months.

Cheers.

[Michael Mota]

I change mine every 6 months or so and what a difference in the light output

[wds21921]

I change mine out every 8 months as a precautionary step. I'd rather spend a few extra dollars to make sure my animals and tank stay healthy than to have to go backwards and remove any variables that accumulate.

[shortstack]

ive heard anywhere from 6 months to 1 year for PC actinics.

[H2OLUVSME]

i used all VHO on my 75 for quite a while. i changed the daylights every 6-8mos as reccomended, but never changed the actinics. like stated above, i also got mine used.

[Travis L. Stevens]

I have to agree with H2OLovesMe. Actinic lighting usually burns at 420-450 nanometers. Very little of this light is actually helpful to autotrophic marine organisms. They tend to use more light in the 6500K-10,000K Spectrum. Actinics is usually just for visual appeal. Though people have reported better coral coloration compared to non-supplemented lighting, it isn't detremintal to the coral not to have actinics, to have them, or to have old bulbs. This is all speculation, but I would guess that old, worn out actinics have burned out their color and will start pushing more towards a 20,000K temperature, which would be more help than a hinderance. In fact, I would propose that a tank supplemented with 20,000K bulbs would do better than those supplemented with Actinics.

[goda]

actinics loost the intensity faster then normal daylight bulbs.

and PC in general loose the intensity faster then any other florecant

[skeeter-doc]

I always change out my actinics and even after a short while, the change can be seen with the naked eye,

I suggest changing them just to see the difference from what you currently have to the original spectrum can be outstanding!

[GARFVolunteer]

Since I moved to IceCap ballasts, I change all bulbs every 18 months unless I am broke then it is longer...

Thanks,

Scott

[wds21921]

Does Sanjay have anything availabe on actinics and spectrum loss/duration data?

[leeweber85]

If you can afford to change them, go for it. Otherwise if it still looks good to you then there's no reason.