Actinic lighting in fresh water ?

Yea I have 8 fish tanks.. 3 of my smaller ones are powered with just white leds.. the 10g and 2.6g tanks.. But the rest are all using either T5's or Power compacts.. The 55/30g are using T5's.. The 55g has 4 T5's over it.. 3x6700k and one colormax (I never got around to replacing the old barely visible colormax lol its over a year old hah) And my 30g before the T5 fixture blew on me was using 6700k lights..

My 27g hex is using 1 65w power compact.. Its a 6700/10k and the discus tank is using duel 6700k lights... Plants grow well in all the tank, but as You and I said.. the Yellow color in the tanks gets old.. Even the 6700/10k PC light on my 27g still looks yellow/greenish..

The discus tank is using that 420/460 purple and blue actinic light and it looks friggin amazing.. and my 30g as I mentioned I got a fluval eco light just a regular LED 36 inch light not knowing it has 6 blue LEDS and this is where I found that actinic or blue light makes the tank look awesome. lol See I bought my 44g Pentagon (my discus tank) on CL for $100, tank stand and the guy gave me his duel 65 PC Current fixture.. It came with the 6700/10k light (the one im using on my 27g now) and the 420/460 actinic.. The 420/460 must be an old probably original light.. its very dark on the corners so it probably should be replaced. However.. im thinking since it probably is the original light because its very dark on the tubes (fixture is from 2007) That its clearly not putting as much light out as it used too , soI should just stick with it that way it wont be as intense and cause algae like a new one would..

Im reading up more on actinic lights.. The 420 which is the purple one for saltwater is more like UV light and makes colors "glow" Im wondering now if I do get a 10k/460 actinic if I will lose the current color im liking.. Hense why im debating on keeping the 420/460 combo or not..

And my 27g hexagon.. I have a PC light on.. I custom made this light and the ballast is a duel ballast so I have a unused plug.. Im thinking of getting a actinic for this tank too.. Im so sick of the black rocks and yellow looking tank.. But they don't sell the 10k/460 combo locally.. Im debating on getting a 420/460..

Gah I hope im not confusing you. lol

Actinic lighting and algae

It’s hair algae, came with a frag I had recently gotten. I’m aware of the water chemistry concerns. My phosphates are under .25 and nitrate is under 10 I haven’t checked my silicates lately but last I checked they were 0. The hair algae is confined to a small spot and does not seem to spreading. I’m more concerned with light right now and will get the water fixed later.

John

Aquarium or Actinic Lighting by Interlectric

Freshwater Aquariums:

Lighting serves both a functional and an ornamental purpose when plants are part of the aquarium environment. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants increase the oxygen level essential for fish respiration and at the same time reduce the carbon dioxide level, preventing the buildup of carbonic acid which can be harmful to fish. Special plant grow lamps, that produce high emissions in the red and blue regions, are commonly used. Brilliant colors are observed in both the fish and plants when these special tubes are used.

Saltwater Aquariums:

Lighting for saltwater aquariums serves a functional purpose and produces a sea-like or natural environment for fish and invertebrates. Actinic Blue tubes that have a high emission peak at 420 nanometers are commonly used. This high-energy blue light penetrates to the bottom of the tank providing light for photosynthesis. Full spectrum or Daylight tubes are mixed with Actinic Blue tubes in an aquarium lighting system to simulate the sun, the natural source of light. The same affect can also be attained in a single lamp by mixing Actinic Blue phosphor with Daylight phosphors. By using the proper lighting, algae, fish, and invertebrates can thrive in a saltwater aquarium.

If interested in finding out more about aquarium lighting contact one of our Interlectric Sales Representatives at 1-800-722-2184.