q about the actinic (blue) bulbs?
 

Hi,

I was wondering if those blue bulbs (actinic) have any effect
whatsoever on the plants even though they have high wattage?

Does it have the same effect as the "white" lamps?

wrote:

Hi,

I was wondering if those blue bulbs (actinic) have any effect
whatsoever on the plants even though they have high wattage?

Does it have the same effect as the "white" lamps?


They're only for marine tanks.

http://www.arcadia-uk.com/en/220marineblueactinic.html

Nikki

Thx, so they do not afffect the plants whatsoever... interesting.

Freshwater plants will use the blue light, and I've had actinics on a
planted tank in the past (it was converted from a reef tank) with no
ill effects. But it provides no benefit and the plants actually receive
a little less usable light/wt than if you used a more balanced lamp.

Thx, I was thinking actually of getting one of those dual bulbs systems
and use the blue bulb to simulate dawn/dusk effect on the tank and the
10k daylight and have leds for the moonlights.

Am I crazy with this idea in a freshwater planted tank?

wrote:
Thx, I was thinking actually of getting one of those dual bulbs systems
and use the blue bulb to simulate dawn/dusk effect on the tank and the
10k daylight and have leds for the moonlights.

Am I crazy with this idea in a freshwater planted tank?

Sounds beautiful and I don't think it would harm anything. I wonder if
there's something rosy or orange you could use that would look even more
like dawn? Maybe a normal fluorescent with one of those silly color
sleeves you can sometimes find at aquarium shops.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

I'd get the dual system but use 6700K bulbs instead. You can always add
the moonlights if you want.

Maybe an incadesent light on a dimmer. Need some way to increase the
light automatically over time. That would be kinda cool.

Am I crazy with this idea in a freshwater planted tank?


Yeah, fraid so. Lots folks try this and discover as the books say it's
light outside of the range plants can use. You might like the looks
but it does the plants zero good whatsoever.

--
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I will have to look for it later this evening but I seen a site that had a
DIY guide to making your own moon lighting set up.
Curtis

I bought one of the Aqualights you speak of.
The night effects are nice. However, I was informed, by a sales staff
member, that Bacterial algae may become more prevailent over time. Don't
know for sure my self. I've changed the actinic bulb out for a plant bulb.

Ross Taggart

I have found that these extremely expensive bulbs work a little better than
the typical planted aquarium bulb for plants. But it is worth twice the
price, or more? What I like the best about these bulbs is that they put off
the frequencies needed from a plant bulb but tend to put off additional
frequencies and give the aquarium a nicer look.

I no longer use them due to the price. I have switched to a more standard
planted aquarium bulb. Unfortunately they give off a more purple color. I
am toying with the idea of mixing these bulbs with standard white
home/office bulbs. I have a 75g with six 40 watt 48" bulbs. So, if I mixed
I would be doing 4 of the plant bulbs and 2 of the standard white.

"Richard Sexton" wrote in message
...
Am I crazy with this idea in a freshwater planted tank?


Yeah, fraid so. Lots folks try this and discover as the books say it's
light outside of the range plants can use. You might like the looks
but it does the plants zero good whatsoever.

--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
http://www.mbz.org | Mercedes Mailing lists: http://lists.mbz.org
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | Killies, killi.net, Crypts, aquaria.net
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Old wris****ches http://watches.list.mbz.org

http://www.aquabotanic.com/lightcompare.htm
http://www.aquariaplants.com/myfavoritelinks.htm

Heres a couple links from some good web sites for plant health etc.

Ross Taggart