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Macro lighting

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Macro lighting Empty Macro lighting

Post by Fett27 December 29th 2009, 1:28 am

There has been always a lot of talk between the few coldwater aquarists about macro lighting. I am fully aware of the different types, their benefits and requirements (Ex. Metal Halide, T5, NO). I am interested in the opinion of anyone who has grown cold water macros as to what type of flourescent lighting would be best. I am utilizing T5's and need to know what combination of 2 bulbs is most effective out of 10k, actinic, and 6700k bulbs.
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Post by Bluntokian December 29th 2009, 2:27 pm

Well, Based off growing experience with non marine plants I would say 6700 because of there high kelvin rating, But, Becauese 10k has 2300 higher kelvins I would say those depending on tank size. I would have atleast one actinic even if it meant rigging up a 3 tube system (10ks outside actinic in middle)
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Post by Hero December 29th 2009, 8:54 pm

I don't have personal experience with growing temperate macros but i can tell you that lighting requirements are very if not exactly similar to those of tropical origin. 10k and your 6700k bulbs should be fine though i do not know the benefits of actinic on macros.
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Post by Jacobnano December 30th 2009, 12:16 am

I am running 10ks on my tank. I recently brought back a lot of macro algae Smile
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Post by Hero December 30th 2009, 6:14 pm

^^^^ There you go!
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Post by Brent March 6th 2010, 7:54 pm

Well, it really depends on what you want in the tank. I would strongly suggest having two 10k lights, and one actinic. The reason for actinic is because many types of coralline algae will grow 110% better under it. You could also stimulate the hours of a day by turning on your actinic light an hour before you turn on your 10ks and leaving it on an hour later. This tends to be healthier for the reef setting. A timer would do the trick here.
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Post by Rvs October 6th 2011, 2:08 am

Well, i just came form tropical BW and this are the lights i use, ordered form front to back:

T5 - 6,400kº
T5 - 13,000kº
t5 - 6,500kº

These light are all on from 10 to 10, 12 hours, at 24ºC.
¿Could this lit set up be ok for macro algae?
I've heard that actinic light only works for plants, coral and algae that live at least at 20 mt down the water surface...

Im really interested on machos lighting cuz i will start a C. prolifera capet Rolling Eyes

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Post by Bluntokian October 6th 2011, 7:19 am

It sounds fine to me however I know very little about temperate/deep water species so I would wait for someone else to chime in.
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Post by norskfisk October 9th 2011, 7:58 am

My guess is that the best tubes are the plant tubes that people with freshwater planted tanks use. For example Arcadia Plant Pro. I used 2 of these combined with 4 6500K aquarium lights over my algae aquarium. Currently I use them to grow phytoplankton. It could be better to use 10K instead of 6500K as supplements to the plant lights because they offset some of the brownish tint that is given off by algae, and frankly, make the aquarium a little better and "mysterious" looking. Still, the best is to remove that tint with ozone, but that is another story. I have never done any strict comparisons of various types. All I can say is that they have worked for me.
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