Actinic Timing

[ox5477]

Prob been asked a bunch of times, but how long during the day and roughly what time period should the actinics come on. I think I remember reading that they should only be on for a few hours during the normal day cycle. As of now, I have no corals except for a good colony of mushrooms. Plan on maybe getting some zoos and other mainly photosynthetic softies in the future, but nothing too crazy as of yet.

Thanks for the advice guys

 

[SkiFletch]

Most people run actinics for two reasons... Coral color, and a "smooth" wakeup and bedtime for the fish. As such, many people have them come on 30-60 minutes before their primary lighting and go off 30-60min after their primary ligthing.

 

[Colin_T]

it also depends on what sort of lighting you have on the tank in addition to the actinics. If you have globes with a 10-14,000Kelvin rating then you probably don't need actinics for anything other than wake up and beddy bies like SkiFletch said.

If you have globes with a Kelvin rating of 4-6,000K then actinics can be on all day.

 

[ox5477]

ok, cool. Thanks guys

 

[SkiFletch]

Ultimately aside from the wakeup and bedtime, you'll have to look at the tank and see if you think it looks better with the actinics on or off

 

[ox5477]

ok, so its not hurting anything to keep them on? I figured thats why you only had them on a few times a day... cause maybe the wave length could be harmful with prolonged exposure... But if not, I think it brightens up the colors so at least when company is over they should be on

 

[SkiFletch]

No, only thing it's harmful to (and really not that much) is your electric bill

 

[ox5477]

ya... I'm feeling it already with the 125 freshwater I set-up. With the huge external and extra heater, it's increased my bill by like 10 bucks... I think all from the tank seeing as how I haven't changed my habits with most other things