Black Lights to replace Actinnics

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by bully25, Mar 3, 2007.

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  1. bully25

    bully25 Plankton

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    Mar 3, 2007
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    1.5 yr Reefer. lighting set up 4-110 w VHO's on 660 icecap ballast. Problem is lights are all on 1 ballast. I want to be able to turn on actincs seperately to get cool look from corals. What would be bet way to fix this problem. Buy another ballast and reconfigure wiring or somehow find small blacklights to get the look I want. Would blacklight cause problem? Can someone give advice.
     
    bully25, Mar 3, 2007
    bully25, Mar 3, 2007
    #1

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  2. Bruce

    Bruce Giant Squid

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    I heard somewhere that blacklights kill the zooxanthelle. I have never researched this...so let me do that right now.

    Edit: Cant seem to find anything....ha....I will keep looking. But i would not use the blacklights untill we find out they are safe.
     
    Bruce, Mar 4, 2007
    Bruce, Mar 4, 2007
    #2
  3. Diver_1298

    Diver_1298 Eyelash Blennie

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    Blacklights are usually around the 370nm spectrum. This is well below the 420 to 460 nm band that most marine actinic bulbs are set up for. This is too low to do anything for the corals in your tank.

    Jim
     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2007
    Diver_1298, Mar 4, 2007
    Diver_1298, Mar 4, 2007
    #3
  4. Black_Raven

    Black_Raven Scooter Blennie

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    Modify your lights and buy a second ballast.
     
    Black_Raven, Mar 4, 2007
    Black_Raven, Mar 4, 2007
    #4