$$ and VHO and a lighting POLL!!!

[SnowManSnow]

hmmm so.. if i install 175w of actinic in addition to my 400w MH can I run ONLY the actinics for a few hours each day without the MH? Or is the actinic light usable by the corals on its own.

If I can run the actinics alone it should save me $$ becase I'd only be using half the w of the MH.

I guess my question is.. is actinic light usable by photosynthetic corals? or is it just pretty to look at? I'm running my MH about 9 hrs now.. can I cut that back?

Thanks.

B

 

[trido]

I am setting up a 14k 150MH and 196w of actinic on my softy tank. I like it blue. You already know what I voted.
I believe that Unarce and Thales for example, run their actinic near 10-12 hours and the MH closer to 6.
Yes the corals do use the actinic lighting as it provides the blue end of the spectrum.

 

[SnowManSnow]

so you vote to use the VHO.. but believe that the 400w mh will wash it out when it comes on... right?

b

 

[Anonymous]

Add 175w of VHO in addition to the 14K Hamilton HQI

That would be my perfect choice. I only have VHO though. 440W.

 

[SnowManSnow]

This would give me 575w of light over a 24 deep tank!!!!!! GEEZ the madness!! where does it all end?????

 

[Len]

Actinic light is usable for photosynthesis. In fact, it was designed as an optimized spectrum for Chlorophyll A photosynthesis. The problem with actinic bulbs is they don't produce a whole lot of light, so aren't' a terribly efficient way to light a tank. But you can shorten your MH photoperiod when using actinics. I run my actinics 14 hours a day, and my MH only comes on for about 6 hours.

 

[SnowManSnow]

so do you think that it would look better with the actinics and the 400w MH? or would the MH light just wash it out and look basically the same????

b

 

[Unarce]

I'm the lone option 3 vote :lol: I thought you meant, 'too washed out in blue'.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't know how to vote, but I do like Len. I run my actinics about 12 hours and the MH about 6 each with about 4 hours of overlap.

 

[SnowManSnow]

ordered my VHO retro today as per popular opinion. I'll let you know how it turns out!

 

[Len]

I don't know how to vote, but I do like Len. I run my actinics about 12 hours and the MH about 6 each with about 4 hours of overlap.

I like you too

 

[Len]

I have two 400W with 225W of VHO. The VHO don't get washed out; they definitely are visible when they're on.

 

[SnowManSnow]

now i just have to figure out how to mount it all around the big pendant

 

[trido]

so you vote to use the VHO.. but believe that the 400w mh will wash it out when it comes on... right?

b

Yep, you are correct. More toys for the tank are the only way to go.
Edit:

I have two 400W with 225W of VHO. The VHO don't get washed out; they definitely are visible when they're on.

What K are your MH bulbs Len?

My VHO's are definately in need of replacing then. They have been running for 13hrs a day since last june 1st. Mid Feb. was my replacement plan.

 

[SnowManSnow]

its hard for me not to replace bulbs at least every 8 months.. but thats just me being crazy.

b