actinic

[tothna]

[font=Arial, Helvetica][size=-1][font=Arial, Helvetica][size=-1][font=Arial, Helvetica][size=-1][font=Arial, sans-serif]28 watt 10,000K daylight and 28 watt true actinic 03 blue T-5 fluorescent lamps

I just got one of these lights for my 55gal. Would these cause a lot more algae than the standard All-Glass Aquarium lights that come on a 55?
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[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Actinic is for saltwater, and the 10,000 K bulb also makes me think you have a saltwater tank. If so, I'll have to pass since I am not a saltwater guy.

I do not recommend using them for freshwater for the same reason you already worry about (algae).

HarleyK

 

[skinless]

wow, did not realize actinic lighting would really affect algae growth, but it seems to make sense. I have been using an actinic on my 55 FW for several months now kinda as a dusk/dawn bookend with my standard fluorescent bulb. The 55 used to be a SW tank so I had two seperate strip lites to use.

I have plenty of filtration, water movement, and weekly maintenance, but it aways seems like I have more algae to scrape off the glass than my other tanks...Is it most likely the actinic bulb that is causing the excess growth?

 

[skinless]

BTW, The actinic is only on for two hours a day total (1hr/1hr), would it affect algae growth that much??

 

[Princley]

yes more green will grow but it's worth it

 

[ShawnE94Sl]

I use two 65w 10k and two 50/50 (10k/actinic) on my 90g. I like the little bit of blue you can see. With out them the tank looks to green to me.