Atinic lights. Are they just for reefs?

[phil1964]

I got a tank 3 months ago and it came with 2 96w 10k daylights and 2 96w atinics. If I have a FOWLR can I do without the atinics? What if I have mushrooms and some (what I think are) brown button polyps growing on my LR. Are atinics neccesary?

 

[mdhyde]

Atinics are not necessary. They simulate deep water sunlight, but mostly people buy them because the color just looks cool in the water.
I am an old school reefer and many years ago, we didnt have atinics and tanks were just fine.
If you prefer daylight, swap them out and put your atinics on ----! Most people prefer them......

 

[phil1964]

Thanks mdhyde
I will wait for more replys but if I get rid of them they will go up for sale on this board. For free. Plus shipping of course! I really do not like them. I have to get more white lights first so don't go crazy people.

 

[demosthenes]

Send them to me, I'm up in Muncie! Truly though, I would keep them if I were you. They simulate a more natural environment for your fish, though I believe most are color-blind? But you may decide to get some mushrooms or polyps in the future, and then you would need them, and not have them, but it's your choice, either way.