Actinic question

[copeseter]

Do actinics make the corals color up more or are they just for our viewing pleasure? Why I ask is I run my actinics earlier and later than my halides even when I am not home. I thought if it was just for my enjoyment I would just run them when I am vieiwing. But if they help the corals obtain a better color, I will leave well enough alone. Looking to save energy costs.

 

[lion_crazz]

Actinic light is good for corals and coraline algae and help ease the corals into the daylight (halide) lighting.

 

[bang guy]

Just my opinion but Actinic lighting is just as bright to corals as the equivalent PAR in a different spectrum. They are as useful as any other spectrum but they are mostly chosen for the aesthetic value - they make corals glow.

 

[aztec reef]

and the reason why they glow is: cause actinics like flourecents they produce a short wave uv light that exibits a phosphur to fluoresce producing visible light to the human eye, making corals glow. aka phosphorescence process.
Phosphorescence process.
phosphorescence is a process in which energy absorbed by a substance is released relatively slowly in the form of light.( making it apper "neon" to the human eye)
This applies to any color of fluorescent light.

 

[bang guy]

Fluorescing Proteins in the flesh of the coral.