Thinking about getting actinics

nina&noah

Member
I don't have them, I don't know anything about them. However, the tank I bought my mom for Christmas (14 gallon nano) has them and I love the way the tank looks with them. So is there any benefits or draw backs to having actinics? What should I look for? Are they expensive? My tank is a 90 gallon reef.
Sorry if this sounds stupid. I'm learning as I go. It is one of the draw backs to having the tank built for you. I didn't learn about any of the equipment before I bought it!
 

renogaw

Active Member
what type of MH do you have? pendants?
if so, you can get some add on T5 actinic lights and hang them with the mh.
if you have a hood (you said your tank was in wall, so maybe this is how) you can just get retrofit t5's and put them in the hood as well.
i'm gonna move this to the lghting/equipment forum so you can get more help if you don't mind
 

anonome

Active Member
The benefits to actinic lighting is that Coraline algae will grow much better with actinics, in fact it is advised to have some actinics for this. Now the cons....nope can't think of any. If at all possible try to retro fit some into your system.
 

nina&noah

Member
I thought it might help if I posted pictures of my lights. That way you could tell me what I have, and you could tell me if I could add the lights.


Sorry, the reflection of the window kind of ruins the full tank shot! I can only take pictures of my tank at night.
I'm afraid I might not have room for the actinics. What do you think?
By the way, thanks for moving it Ren. I didn't even know there was a lighting section on this board!
 

nina&noah

Member
Ok, now I feel like an idiot. I just realized that the lighting section is right above the "Aquarium." Which I visit almost daily. Way to be observant!
Okay, back to my lights...
 

renogaw

Active Member
if i were you, i'd see about putting a piece of plywood or something where those lights are, to widen it to mount a retrofit actinic t5 setup on either side, and mount those lights to the plywood. the pieces are sold relatively cheap as DIY retro kits, and aquactinics is a company that supplies them.
 

nina&noah

Member
Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/2934418
btw, thats a very TALL 90 gallon tank...
Yes, I know. I HATE it. It is very tall and very thin. I can't reach the bottom and arranging rock/coral is a PITA. I actually pay someone to clean my tank monthly, because I can't do it. I know how, but I'm just not physically able! The hole was already in the wall, so my husband said "If you want a tank it has to go there." I didn't know what I know now, or I would have fought a little harder.
 

renogaw

Active Member
Originally Posted by NigerBang
http:///forum/post/2934420
No doubt.. i would hate to light that thing to the bottom.. Running 400's?
What kinda PAR you getting?
i agree, i hope you're running 400w mh's in there. you may have to keep the tank as fowlr, i dont know if you'll be able to keep corals in there without a boat load more rock. i don't think actinics are going to help you... they will never reach the bottom.
 

nigerbang

Active Member
Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/2934488
i agree, i hope you're running 400w mh's in there. you may have to keep the tank as fowlr, i dont know if you'll be able to keep corals in there without a boat load more rock. i don't think actinics are going to help you... they will never reach the bottom.
Higher PAR and Higher wattage will help by providing more usable light towards the bottom of the tank..
Actinics will do absolutly nothing in a tank that deep except add a little more of a blue color to the tank..
 

nina&noah

Member
Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/2934488
i agree, i hope you're running 400w mh's in there. you may have to keep the tank as fowlr, i dont know if you'll be able to keep corals in there without a boat load more rock. i don't think actinics are going to help you... they will never reach the bottom.
I have some coral in there now that I've had for over a year. I just can't get carried away, because it simply won't fit. I also have a clam that is doing great. He is on the top of the rock, so I can't fully enjoy his colors, but he is growing and looks great.
Maybe that is why the people who installed the tank never suggested the actinics, because they wouldn't do any good for my tank.
 

nigerbang

Active Member
Originally Posted by nina&noah
http:///forum/post/2934508
So how will I know how much I am getting?
With a PAR meter... Rather expensive though... See if your local Reef club has one that you can borrow.. Our club has 3 for example although the wait list for them is rather long..
If you can achieve a PAR of around 200 at the sandbed then you pretty much and keep anything down on the sand. Including Clams and SPS
 

nina&noah

Member
Originally Posted by NigerBang
http:///forum/post/2934512
With a PAR meter... Rather expensive though... See if your local Reef club has one that you can borrow.. Our club has 3 for example although the wait list for them is rather long
Okay, thanks! I will see if the guy who cleans my tank has one. I am looking into trying a SPS coral, so this might be something I need to know first.
I need to look into joining my local Reef club.
 

nigerbang

Active Member
Originally Posted by nina&noah
http:///forum/post/2934520
Okay, thanks! I will see if the guy who cleans my tank has one. I am looking into trying a SPS coral, so this might be something I need to know first.
I need to look into joining my local Reef club.
Joining my LRC was the best shot in the arm for my knowledge and our members sell awsome frags for the low low or sometimes for free! We have around 600 members(I think 608) We even hosted MACNA last year!!
 
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