Actinic lighting

[EQCM2B]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT class=nf face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#Is actinic lighting for our benefit or our corals? I am planing on putting in a 250 watt MH at about 10k but I would like to know if I need to also have some actinic as well. I want to have the flourecing effect in my tank. I plan to have a little of everything, shrooms, lps, and sps.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[graphixx]

actinic as far as I know does have a benefit to sps corals. I will try and find the article. I am sure someone else will chime in before I find the article. but as far as I know yes it does have benefits to the corals

[jerryc]

The Actinic is for us although it dose benefit the coral by adding
extra light and giving you the benefit of dusk to down effect.

[dakar]

Yes the shorter wavelengths of actinic lighting does both, provides the flourescing effect that pleases our eyes but additionally provides lighting in the narrower end of the spectrum that most MH bulbs just can't.

Photosynthesis has been shown to occur with wavelengths is short as 520nm.

[davejnz]

I agree with the points made above.Actinics,especially the bluer actinics(450-470nm) provide a spectrum that cholorophyll A and B(found in the zooxanthellae inside corals) use in photosynthesis.

http://www.captivereefing.com/viewtopic.php?t=1188&highlight=

[graphixx]

actinism is the term for light that induces chemical reactions. like stated above actinic lights range from the 420 to 450nm its very important to photosynthesis, a chemical reaction. actinic lights producemuch of their light at this wavelength. Now actinic lights have a terrible CRI but in a reef tank it adds an abundance of useable photosynthetic radiation.

[EQCM2B]

thanks alot. Now I guess I need to figure an actinic lamp into my odd shaped DIY canopy as well. (pentagon)

[dakar]

Fortunately there are a lot of options, even with an odd shaped canopy, from power copacts to shorter length T5 tubes. If you need some help, let us know how much space you have to work with and we may be able to help you out..

[EQCM2B]

Will do.
Thanks

[EQCM2B]

So with the tank that I have and 250 watt MH, would this be a good choice to supplement? I will only have about 24 inches (maybe) after installing the MH to put another light. I was thinking of this with both bulbs being actinic, or shuold I make it one actininc and another something else?

http://cgi.ebay.com/CORALVUE-24-T-5-COMPLETE-RETRO-KIT_W0QQitemZ7719766846QQcategoryZ46314QQtcZphotoQ QcmdZViewItem

[davejnz]

Those CV actinics are a 450nm bulb,they look exactly like the ATI blue+ side by side IMO.I think they would be a great complimentary bulb for a 10k,most 10k's peak @420 so the 450nm bulb will give you more light at that end of the spectrum.

[EQCM2B]

Thanks for the help. I am leaning towards the XM 10K. Still looking at all the comments about them.