Lighting Question

[sj022698]

I am wanting to do corals and fish. I have 260 watt lights.
2- 12,000k
2- Actinic
Is it imperative to have the actinic? I'm not a big fan of the blue color. I'd rather have 4- 12,000k
Isn't 12,000k more natural?

 

[cain420]

if you want corals, most would say you need halides!
it would be nice to know if the lights u are referring to are pc, t5, mh, no...???

 

[talath]

If you can afford metal halides, they'll be your best bet. MH lights cover so much more of the spectrum, with greater intensity, than anything else. They're pricy, but you'll probably like the reflected color of your inhabitants better, and most of your corals will like the MH's better as well.

 

[sj022698]

Sorry. Power compact. I can't afford the MH

 

[cain420]

the actinic lights are very nice to have.. i use my moon lights to start the day at 6am.. then at 7am they turn off and the actinics come on.. then at 8, the actinics are accompanied by the 10000k.. then the 10000k turn off at 8pm and leave the actinics on for another hour.. then the lunars take back over.. makes for a nice transition from day to night and night to day...