Actinic not firing...ruining cycle?

Trying to cycle my tank for about 3 months now and recently I've been coming home to find only my 12000K cf on, not the 96w actinic. Is this ruining the cycle? My whole tank looks red, orange, and green. Should I just leave the lights off unless I can make sure the actinic comes on?

Also, since i'm buying a new bulb, is it enough actinic to do one daylight and one combo bulb, or should I stick to the 1 to 1 ratio?

 

No, it is not ruining the cycle.
Actinics are more for pleasing our eyes by giving the fluoressing appearance (check that spelling ) to corals and by putting out light in the 420-460nm spectrum,

Jim

edit: You can cycle a tank with NO bulbs if you want.

 

Good to know!

 

You should see if the actinics are twisted all the way in. Somtimes there is a little notch they fit into.

 

I've tried everything, even switching the plug they are in. They fire sometimes but for the most part I have to switch the ballast off then back on to get them to turn on. I think they are bad, I got them in a trade, when they are on the bulb isn't clear, it is very cloudy.

 

not good, but don't worry about it ruining your cycle, the lights aren't doing anything anyway but promoting algae growth at this point. I know alot of people who go through their cycle with very little light.

 

That's good, everything is finally starting to drop down to about 0 so I should be adding some stuff real soon, I really didn't want to have to wait a few more months.