Why is it?

Discussion in 'Show Off Your Fish Tanks!' started by cira050, Jul 12, 2009.

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  1. cira050

    cira050 Torch Coral

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    I have 2 differend light fixtures. They each had 1 antinic bulb and 1 white bulb. Now i just changed it so there are 2 antinics in the light fixture closest to the front of the tank and 2 white bulbs in the back light fixture. I did this so i can take pictures with antinics and so 10/15 minutes before i turn the lights off completely, i will turn the whites off and the fish can go in their hiding places and what not. Anyways, why is it that the tank looks so so different now? it looks like its lit a lot less (dimmer/not as bright) and the rock looks completely different (color of the light wise). why is that? Is the dimmer thing an illusion? i have the antinic light strip 1st to the front of the tank and the white are in the back. Do you prefer mixed or seperate light bulbs? Is this effect happening because its a smaller tank? would this happen as noticeable to a large tank?

    Thanks,
    Ryan
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2009
    cira050, Jul 12, 2009
    cira050, Jul 12, 2009
    #1

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  2. cira050

    cira050 Torch Coral

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    sorry i posted this in the wrong catagory on accident... Amcraig... come out come out wherever you are
     
    cira050, Jul 12, 2009
    cira050, Jul 12, 2009
    #2
  3. Elebriend

    Elebriend Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    The reason why you are seeing such a dimming effect is because of the light spectrum that the actinics are producing. Depending on your bulbs they will be producing between420-460ish nm wavelengths of light. The human eye really cant pick these up very well due to the nature of the cones within our eyes. Therefore the cones in your eyes aren't being stimulated as much as the white bulbs would, considering they produce other wavelengths of light which our eyes are very accute for.
     
    Elebriend, Jul 12, 2009
    Elebriend, Jul 12, 2009
    #3
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  4. cira050

    cira050 Torch Coral

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    Wow kudos for being that knowledgeable. K+. Anyways, so this wont have any effect on the corals or anything? as long as i like how it looks its ok?
     
    cira050, Jul 12, 2009
    cira050, Jul 12, 2009
    #4
  5. Elebriend

    Elebriend Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Corals will flouresce under actinics, a lot of people get them so they add that extra pop for visuals. As far PAR (photosynthetic active radiation) goes though your not gonna get what you would out of your daylight bulbs.
     
    Elebriend, Jul 12, 2009
    Elebriend, Jul 12, 2009
    #5
  6. PharmrJohn

    PharmrJohn The Dude

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    However, the PUR (photosyntetically usable radiation) will be greater than the daylight.
     
    PharmrJohn, Jul 12, 2009
    PharmrJohn, Jul 12, 2009
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  7. Elebriend

    Elebriend Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Ok, i've heard this expression before, what is the actual difference?
     
    Elebriend, Jul 12, 2009
    Elebriend, Jul 12, 2009
    #7
  8. cira050

    cira050 Torch Coral

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    Im with ya man, i have no idea
     
    cira050, Jul 12, 2009
    cira050, Jul 12, 2009
    #8