Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:35 pm GMT   Reply      

The one I have is just a flourescent bulb so it doesn't heat up hardly at all. It would be fine over acryllic I imagine, but all my tanks are glass so make sure to ask others.

Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:07 pm GMT   Reply      

SwPimp, that was a very good article you gave a link to. In that article, I found the following statement that seems to support that actinics are not good for plant growth and cause algae:

Strong blue light will cause plant growth to be more compact and bushy and will also tend to promote algae growth. So remember to balance 2/3 red to 1/3 blue light emissions.

I think his main point was that they need a combo of red and blue light, but that only blue light (i.e. actinic bulbs) were not good. Let me know if you find this interpretation incorrect. Thanks for the good discussion.

Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:37 pm GMT   Reply      

i am still confused, this is why actinic blue light is no where near 420nm or460nm .actinicblue has a lower k rating and a soft blue compared to the purple/pinkishbulbs. and also i think if the nutrients where not in a tank the algae could no grow.meaning high silicates,iron.nitrates,phosphates.nitrites,amonia..ect and yes freshwater plants benifit from more red than blue..the discussion has ben fun .....
swp

Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:37 am GMT   Reply      

the irony of this great actinic discussion: freshwaterpleco started it

Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:45 am GMT   Reply      

You guys said it all. It seems most people don't think they hurt, they are just a waste of potential better light you could be using a plant spectrum light for.

Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:28 am GMT   Reply      

I lucked out and scored a refurbished Single Satellite and was personally delivered from CA to HI by Dennis at Current who is selling the refurbished lights on ebay. It came with the legs which are 2 inches long. I have no issues using this light, my top is All-Glass Versatop so that may be the difference. Only issue with purchasing this light is you don't have a choice on bulb. They all come with 10000k/atnic bulbs.

Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:21 pm GMT   Reply      

Ill just have to put up with my actinic on the PC and the blue on the VHO till I can afford new bulbs with all spectrums in each. Plants are doing fine with moderate growth.