actinic - to leave or not to leave...

steva44 · #1 07-25-2007, 05:10 AM

Hey I am debating whether I should leave the actinics to run at the same time as my other power compact bulbs. Or do I just run them one hour before and one hour after the main lights; only two hours of the day?

surgeonfish · #2 07-25-2007, 05:39 AM

I would leave the actinics on while the other PC's are on if you have a reef system. You may not visibly notice a difference, but the corals are getting the additional beneficial light. If you have a fish only system, unless if makes the tank brighter, I would save the energy and bulbs by running them only at dawn and dusk.

rigger11 · #3 07-25-2007, 05:41 AM

agreed

steva44 · #4 07-25-2007, 06:13 AM

Also, how long should I have them on before and after the main lights? Is one hour O.k.?

Thanks!!!

surgeonfish · #5 07-25-2007, 06:27 AM

Can you give us more information about the size of your tank, is it reef, FOWLR or fish only, and what exactly are you using for lighting? If you have a reef tank, you may not have very strong lighting and I would leave your PC's on for 10-12 hours. If you have a fish only system and algae is a problem run your main PC's for less (6-8 hours). The actinics give the tank a nice look and don't usually contribute to nuisance algae so you can leave them on as long as you like. I would still turn them off at night to simulate a natural day/night cycle.

steva44 · #6 07-25-2007, 06:37 AM

I have a 110gal reef system with a light bar that has 2 65w dual daylights by coral life (pc) I only have a few softies now and some anenomes about 150lbs live rock