What would you use?

[Birdlady]

I have a 175 Watt Metal Halide bulb in a canopy.
I also have 5 places for NO Fluorescent tubes 36" - the full length of my tank.

I want to be able to keep anemones and corals (as well as fish etc.).

What combination of types of bulbs would yous guys and gals use? eg. how many actinics, full spectrum, what temps....etc.

THANKS

[Birdlady]

Bump.

[reefman_MC]

Is the halide on the 60 gallon you have in your sig area?

[shawnz28]

I would consider either a 14K hamilton (very nice bulb that looks nice even with no actinics) and 4 actinic whites and 1 actinic or a 10K halide and 2 actinic whites and 3 actinics.... just my thoughts at first.

[Birdlady]

Reefman,
Yes, on the 60 gallon (36" wide)

Shawn,

Thanks....what is an actinic white? Is that similar to a 50/50 type bulb? I haven't looked at bulbs in like....6 years....they are all called different things by different manufacturers....

And , when you calculate watts/gallon, do you count actinic? Do they provide health benefits to the animals or just enhance the appearance of the tank?

THANKS!!!

[shawnz28]

Yes Actinic White is URI's 50/50 bulb and are the best on the market in my opinion.

Personally I really dont use the watts per gallon rule at all... too many types of lighting and all are so different. But when most people do use it they do

[Birdlady]

TY!