Actinic lighting???

[DA fisherman]

Okay I Have some questions on what effects do some t5 lights do?

I have a current USA 4x54w t5 light fixture ,
2 bulbs 10,000k
2 bulbs actinics
I know the 10,000k are more or less to simulate day light.

But what do the actinic lights do??? Are they there just for a more blue look??

Or do they really help in adding a energy source to the aquarium ???

I'm asking cause I was thinking of switching my lights around To:
1 bulb 12,000k
1 bulb trueblue
2 true actinics

I was told when I first started in this hobby about a 1 yr ago that they where just for looks BUT then I was told by somebody else that they do much more and are important ... And that person has a very well established 280g tank so I went with what he said.

soooo in short what do you guys think about actinic lights??

 

[melosu58]

Moving this to General hardware and equipment discussion.

 

[DA fisherman]

Thanks sorry I just started using the app and still learning my way around

 

[melosu58]

soooo in short what do you guys think about actinic lights??

I use VHO bulbs. Out of the 4 bulbs I use 2 of them are super actinic while the other two are 50/50. The blue color of the spectrum is the only part of the spectrum to make it to the reef depths. You can see a little info on the actinic from this link.

Aquarium Lighting: Choosing the Proper Lighting For Your Aquarium

 

[DA fisherman]

Actinic Bulbs - Emit light predominantly from the blue end of the color spectrum. Recreates light conditions found in deep water and provides the light energy necessary for proper photosynthetic coral growth. Actinic bulbs are ideal for reef aquariums.....foster & smith

Thanks that answers that lolz