lighting for 29 gallon reef

would 2 50/50 bulbs (50% 10000k 50% true actinic) be beter then 1 10000k and 1 actinic? i have a pc fixture.

 

if the lamps are mounted side by side
then 2 x 50/50 would probably be better as it would give an even spread of light
if you had 1 actinic and 1 10K lamp side by side, half the tank would look very blue compared to the other half

if the lamps are mounted one in front of the other
then 1 actinic and 1 10k would probably be OK in terms of how the tank looks

Steve

 

so corals wont grow any better or worse? just mainly a change in tank color?

 

Its basically the same lighting Armison

although if they are side by side, the corals under the 10k may grow better than the ones under the actinic (depends on coral type)

depending on your coral type, you might find that you struggle to get good growth under 2 x PC lamps, irrespective of the colour temperature of said lamps

Steve

 

thanks

 

I would suggest getting 460nm blue instead of 420nm or actinic. It will give more light and PAR to the tank.

 

ok thanks

 

i have a 150 mh on mine and the coral is growing incredibly fast and looks great