Supplementing MH lighting.

Was woundering do you HAVE to have actinic lighting supplementing a MH light or is it just for the bluer look. Im thinking you need it but was just asking some of the experts on this one.

 

Nope, not needed.

 

I have 4-54 watt HO T5's with my MH's. running 460 and 420 actinics

 

not needed like posted above..

but keep in mind if your not gonna supplement them with actinics of some type. go with a 14k or 20 k bulb for color. 10ks without anything supplementing is not pleasing to the eye.

 

But are they necessary for coral growth and what not??

 

Yea i was thinking that also. I do like the blue look. I will have to get a 20k probably the one i have now is 14k.

 

I agree with tatted. My fixture came w/it so I use them. I think an advantage to having them is it may help wake up (so to speak) the corals. JMO and if your not going to supplement the MH's definatly go w/ 14 or 20K bulbs.

 

Thanks for all the info. Will deff. be getting a 20k bulb.

 

the lower Kelvin rating... the better the growth- in most cases- the actinics are more for aesthetics in that 10k bulbs look really white and dont show some of the hidden beauty of the corals as well as say a 20k actinic does... its you own call though but IMO supplement with actinics