Do you need actinics??

[Nhrafan26]

What is the benefit to having actinic bulbs?
I am looking at what fixture to buy for the new tank I just set up but am having a very hard time deciding what to go with.
I am looking at this: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~action~view~idProduct~CU01063~idCatego ry~FILTFIMHMMMDMLM5~category~36in~vendor~.html
But there are no actinic bulbs...
I was also looking at something like this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12779&prodid=25168&catid=725

Any opinions or ideas on this?:help:
I really need to decide on a fixture and get moving with this.

Thanks!

[apelaston]

from my understanding ...which may not be right... is that the actnics put out different light wavelengths than the other bulbs and some of the corals do need them\want them to be able to THRIVE. I believe you can get by without them however, but will see less growth in some different corals.

I will leave the experts with the rest of this answer and wait to see it myself....

[Blossom112]

Yes , corals that have zooxanthellae need the actinic light .eg ....anemone bubble coral ect. for photosynthisis
So it would really depend if you want coral or not .
My friend has all fish and no actinic .
Gl

[Amphiprion]

In short, no. But that is assuming the other lighting is as full spectrum as possible. As long as the bulb spans the photosynthetic range, then fine. Actinics are mainly for aesthetic reasons, as they tend to encourage various fluorescing pigments in the coral tissues. They obviously don't use this light--they re-emit it and never absorb it, so it isn't actually useful. I personally like them for that reason alone. But there are plenty of examples of people who don't use them, such as people using nothing but metal halide bulbs.

[HaKs310]

In short, no. But that is assuming the other lighting is as full spectrum as possible. As long as the bulb spans the photosynthetic range, then fine. Actinics are mainly for aesthetic reasons, as they tend to encourage various fluorescing pigments in the coral tissues. They obviously don't use this light--they re-emit it and never absorb it, so it isn't actually useful. I personally like them for that reason alone. But there are plenty of examples of people who don't use them, such as people using nothing but metal halide bulbs.

Couldn't have said it better. I added an extra actinic to my BioCube just for aesthetic reasons. One to view corals and their fluorescent pigments and two, to have a sunrise/sunset effect.

[Nhrafan26]

OK, so another question would be... is compact fluorescent good enough for actinic or would you recommend I go with a T-5 setup for these?
I assume that the P.C. would be okay if it's just for aesthetic reasons, that and they are cheaper as far as I can tell.
I just ordered the Sunpod HQI from Current.
It states on their spec sheet that you don't need actinic with this fixture.

Here are specs from them:
High Intensity PowerPaq 14,000K HQI Metal Halide
"the high-intensity blue light produced by the 14,000K PowerPaq HQI is so brilliant - no other supplemental actinic lamps are required."
"both Blue and White Lunar Lights mounted on a removable LED panel. Each color is independently controlled - allowing you to use both colors for a gradual ramp up, or one color for nocturnal viewing"
2-14,000k HQI metal halide
9-White Lunar Lights
9-Blue Lunar Lights

[Amphiprion]

What you have will work fine--don't worry about actinics. If you still feel you want them after seeing how everything looks under your new fixture, then get some T5 actinics.