actinic T5

[rookie320]

Hello to everyone,

I would like to see if anyone agrees with something i read in Marine Atlas from baensch,here is the passage:

Actinics can be left on during the night.Their electricity consumption is low, and the useful life of the tube is preserved,since tuning the lamp on and off shortens its life expectency......You even save yourself a timer and have the added benefit of being able to observe the animals during the night.The fish have no probleme sleeping in the pale twilight....

The book is farely acurate for all the rest but i still have nt found anyone to confirm this part.And i like the idea of having light in the aqua to see it wenever i am up even past the 12 light period.

I plan to put corals eventually, Would it still be ok or do i need a min of darkness? :?:

Thanks for sharring the force :lol:

 

[ChrisRD]

Hi and :welcome:

I'm going to move this to the General Reefkeeping Discussion forum because IMO it's sortof an advanced question. I'll leave a shadow in the NRF as well.

Most people I know who want some dim lighting at night for viewing, etc. just use moonlights...

 

[rookie320]

Thanks a lots, I have noticed that most use the moon lights and i know they are there for that, But i really like the look of the actinic at night but if no one does it i will prob. not risk the big $$$ that i know small mistakes can cost. I am just starting so it expensive enought like it is..
8O

Thanks for the advise.

 

[ricky1414]

I have 65w of actinic over my 20gal, and I would be afraid of some sort of algae bloom as a result of keeping it on all night. The glow would be cool, but there might be a downside.

 

[DOGMAI]

I just leave mine on till I go to bed. Its that simple. Mine is a cheepy I feel because it was only like 25 bucks a 36" light. I could give a crap if it goes out quicker at that price. I have had it for about a year and is still working fine.

Thanks,
Shane

 

[Len]

It depends on the wattage (and respective size of tank). I wouldn't consider a 96W actinic on a 40 gallon tank dim. Remember: fish and corals "see" light differently then you do. Nearly every marine organism can't see the higher frequencies.

I'd go with a ~20W blue incandescent ("party") bulb for moonlighting.

 

[Tackett]

I have my lights on timers and i have it fixed so that the actinics come on about 3 hours before the main lights, and go off 3 hours after the main lights go off.
I have moon lights during the night, you cant really see too much with those though. I wouldnt screw with it if I were you. It kinda comes down to their benefit or your benefit if you know what i mean.

 

[rookie320]

Ok i guess i could scrap the idea, so far no one agrees with the book,so i ll go with the safe way.

Thanks for the replys.

 

[jsbradbury]

Go to Home Depot and check out the rope lights. For like $6 you can get a 12ft. strand of the blue ones and I heard they make decent moonlights for cheap.