MH + Actinic FL combination

[Domino]

HI!!

I am planning to buy some MH lights and the LFS owner told me:

"When you use 20,000K MH lights, you don't really need to use actinics at the same time because the light effect ws pleasing enough on its own but that if you use 10,000K or 14,000K MH, then it is recommended to use actinics."

Any meaningful comments on this statement?

cheers!!

[Eric]

HI!!

I am planning to buy some MH lights and the LFS owner told me:

"When  you use 20,000K MH lights, you don't really need to use actinics at the same time because the light effect ws pleasing enough on its own but that if you use 10,000K or 14,000K MH, then it is recommended to use actinics."

Any meaningful comments on this statement?

cheers!!

20K MH or the Actinic will help you see more colours from your corals and fishes. Normally ppl match their 6.5K or 10K with actinic more for the viewing pleasure becos of the glare and yellowish colours of the 10K.

Eric

[riot]

Pretty good advice, but its really dependent on the individual perception on pleasing colour, etc.

However, you might like a simple FL tube or simiiliar for day night transition. I always get a rude shock when the MH shuts off suddenly.

[lightningstrike]

20K MH or the Actinic will help you see more colours from your corals and fishes. Normally ppl match their 6.5K or 10K with actinic more for the viewing pleasure becos of the glare and yellowish colours of the 10K.

Eric

sound advice. I m using 2x 150W 10kk MH supplemented by 3x 25W zoomed coral sun actinic blue FLs. have timed the actinic lights to come on and off 30 mins b4 the MH comes on/off.

[Domino]

Thanks for the replies!

So I should keep the actinic for the transitions. This is what I was thinking too.

Is it better to buy the 20,000K or the 10,000k? my tank is 18" deep only.

how many hours should I leave the MH lights on?

[lightningstrike]

IMHO, U should look into the PAR value of the various Kelvin of lights available. other things to watch out for includes intensity, lumens, etc...... there is a lighting thread pinned by AT somewhere in the forum. do a search on it to find out more.