What are Actinic bulbs?

dwool36 · 07-31-2006, 08:13 AM

I just bought a light fixture with the following bulbs:

2 X 55 watt Daylight bulb 10,000K2 X 55 watt Actinic bulb

What are Actininc bulbs and their purpose? This is for a FW 55. Will the 2 10,000K bulbs be sufficient for plant growth?

**Damon** · 07-31-2006, 08:20 AM

Yes the 2 55 bulbs will be fine over a 55 gallon tank for plants. Actinic bulbs are for reef tanks.

girth vader · 07-31-2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwool36

I just bought a light fixture with the following bulbs:

2 X 55 watt Daylight bulb 10,000K2 X 55 watt Actinic bulb

What are Actininc bulbs and their purpose? This is for a FW 55. Will the 2 10,000K bulbs be sufficient for plant growth?

you could always put the actinics on a separate timer and have them come on for 1 or 2 hrs b4 all lights out. It's cool to see the fish in that light. Not quite moonlight, but if your not spawning corals, they're fun to use in a FW for nocturnal fish. like your BN.

azn1stknightsou · 09-16-2006, 12:23 AM

Isnt 10000K too much for plants? I was under the impression that they can only use lights up to 8000K.

**Damon** · 09-16-2006, 08:52 AM

No. 10000K works fine for planted tanks.

**Scuba Kid** · 09-16-2006, 10:02 AM

Do you mean planted tanks?

**Damon** · 09-17-2006, 07:26 AM

Wording corrected

dwool36 · 09-17-2006, 08:50 AM

Well, I replaced the two actinic bulbs with 2 -55w 8000k bulbs. So, I now have 2 55w 10,000 and 2 55w 8000.

**Damon** · 09-17-2006, 10:58 AM

Very good combination that should be appealing to the eye..........
I use 6700K and 9325K bulbs combos. Brings out the reds IMO. Yours should also. but give a better blend vs the contrast I perfer.

07-31-2006, 08:13 AM	#1
dwool36 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 312	What are Actinic bulbs? I just bought a light fixture with the following bulbs: 2 X 55 watt Daylight bulb 10,000K2 X 55 watt Actinic bulb What are Actininc bulbs and their purpose? This is for a FW 55. Will the 2 10,000K bulbs be sufficient for plant growth? __________________ 55 gallon planted 8 Kribs 6 black neons 8 cardinal tetras 1 bushynose pleco 55 Gallon community Northern Mountain Swortails Fancy Guppies 3 YoYo Loaches 15gallon planted Breeding Pair Blue Rams 29 Gallon Breeding Pair Keyhole Chichlids 2 green corys 2 spotted corys

07-31-2006, 08:20 AM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Yes the 2 55 bulbs will be fine over a 55 gallon tank for plants. Actinic bulbs are for reef tanks. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

09-16-2006, 12:23 AM	#4
azn1stknightsou Shark Bait Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sacramento Age: 19 Posts: 84	Isnt 10000K too much for plants? I was under the impression that they can only use lights up to 8000K. __________________ God has a sense of humor. Want proof? Just go to Walmart and look at people.

09-16-2006, 08:52 AM	#5
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	No. 10000K works fine for planted tanks. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress) Last edited by Damon; 09-17-2006 at 07:26 AM.

09-16-2006, 10:02 AM	#6
Scuba Kid Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: RI Age: 18 Posts: 4,224	Do you mean planted tanks? __________________ Current setups: 1800 gallon koi pond, 10 gallon planted, 150 gallon reef, other FOWLR tanks

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09-17-2006, 07:26 AM	#7
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Wording corrected __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

09-17-2006, 08:50 AM	#8
dwool36 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 312	Well, I replaced the two actinic bulbs with 2 -55w 8000k bulbs. So, I now have 2 55w 10,000 and 2 55w 8000. __________________ 55 gallon planted 8 Kribs 6 black neons 8 cardinal tetras 1 bushynose pleco 55 Gallon community Northern Mountain Swortails Fancy Guppies 3 YoYo Loaches 15gallon planted Breeding Pair Blue Rams 29 Gallon Breeding Pair Keyhole Chichlids 2 green corys 2 spotted corys

09-17-2006, 10:58 AM	#9
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Very good combination that should be appealing to the eye.......... I use 6700K and 9325K bulbs combos. Brings out the reds IMO. Yours should also. but give a better blend vs the contrast I perfer. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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