Actinic???

I have a 4x65 watt PC over my 75 gal. They are CSL 50/50. I would like to get a bluer color. I was wondering if I were to put a NO 40 watt actinic with the PC's would it make that much difference. I am just looking for a couple of guesses before I put the money out. Thanks.

T/A

It is pretty bad when you think about it you would think the PCs would make a good actinic. I was just wondering if just 1 NO 40 watt actinic would be sufficient.

 

T/A

Quote: Originally posted by Transam on 09 April 2003

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It is pretty bad when you think about it you would think the PCs would make a good actinic. I was just wondering if just 1 NO 40 watt actinic would be sufficient.

 

T/A

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If you already have a balast for NO bulbs, use it.  If you're going to buy a balast for this I'd look more closely at VHO.  There really isn't much (if any) price difference between NO and VHO bulbs.  It will cost you more in electricity though.

Wow!  This is very interesting......

Mark and I disagree on some things but when it comes to the basics of aquariums and how people should run their tanks we almost always agree.

However, Mark, I must say I disagree with just about everything you just wrote.  This is really strange, because I can't believe that over the past 7 years we've known each other, we haven't really discussed this topic.  Metal Halides are fantastic, and I've never seen an aquarium that was over lit in my life.  Also, I don't think blue lighting is all that important for a reef tank.  The blue light is what we add for our enjoyment.  Sure blue light is all you find in the deep, but that is not where all the corals are found. 

I applaude the new hobbiests who are anxious to get metal halides and blast their tanks with white light.  It's either do that now, or do it in a few years when you decide you need it.  I don't think there is really a debate in the hobby over halides.  I thought everyone agreed that they can only enhance an aquarium.....

am I wrong?

Adam

MH are a waste of money. Tell me why, on a limited budget, I should buy MH when a very nice looking tank can be acheived without them!

I am starting to think that we have to overilluminate for the Zooxanthellae to overproduce because we can't feed as much as we need!

Those Lights of America power compact lights are great but tend to burn out within a year. I have used them a lot! Don't recommend them any longer.

Differing viewpoints are welcome

Quote: Originally posted by Mark Peterson on 16 April 2003

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MH are a waste of money. Tell me why, on a limited budget, I should buy MH when a very nice looking tank can be acheived without them!

I am starting to think that we have to overilluminate for the Zooxanthellae to overproduce because we can't feed as much as we need!

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Blanket statements will usually get some contradiction!  Even with MHs our tanks don't come close to the intensity of natural sunlight in the tropics.  Some people like to keep corals from shallow areas (many SPSs) where the light is full spectrum too.  The fact that so many reefers use (the more expensive) MH should account for some credit (or maybe we're all sheep?).

Quote: Originally posted by Mark Peterson on 16 April 2003

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MH are a waste of money. Tell me why, on a limited budget, I should buy MH when a very nice looking tank can be acheived without them!

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Disagree, depends on what you consider a very nice looking tank.  I prefer a SPS only tank.  Definately for me MH's are a must.  I agree that on a limited budget, you will not have MH's.

Quote: Originally posted by Adam Blundell on 16 April 2003

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*snip*  Also, I don't think blue lighting is all that important for a reef tank.  The blue light is what we add for our enjoyment.  Sure blue light is all you find in the deep, but that is not where all the corals are found. 

*snip*

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Now, I could be wrong in my understanding here, but I think Adam is right regarding the redlighted statement above.  My feable coral/zoo/photosynthesis understanding follows:

The reason (or part of the reason) that corals fluorece or glow under atinic lights is that the coral produces a protein that absorbs the "blue" light. It then uses some of that photon energy to power the zooxanthellae photosynthesis and reemits the energy as light at a lower energy level (frequency).  This process is a net producer of energy for the coral, but the coral must expend some energy to get there (kinda equivalent to activation energy in some chemical reactions...don't get the glazed look over your eyes :) ).  Thus atinic (blue) light makes the greens/yellows glow.  UV light would possibly make the blues/purples glow.  Light, already in the PAR zone, would directly feed the zooxanthellae.

That's my understanding, I'd welcome comments/opinions regarding this subject...it is interesting (to me).

Hey all my  boss has a MH fixture and buld she told me it has not been used they have sold the tank found this in a box when moving almost 6 months later she told me that she thinks it is 250watts and only 6500k do they make 6500k MH I thought they were all higher than that?  She is giving it to me for $20 so after I get it I will be returning the 65 W Fluorescent Spot is this one 250 watt MH and 1 Actinic 4x OVR NO gonna be enough for my tank or do I need a few more NO's?  I am for sure gonna buy this light for $20 you just can't go wrong!