Actinic Blue Tubes

[Nick16]

right, i am going to have a tank with rainbowfish etc. but i already have 2 T8 tubes which are a nice white/green colour. however i need to get 2 t5's as well. i was thinking along the lines of another daylight tube and a marine blue tube. but i never really understood what they are for? i was hoping i could use that instead of some cold cathodes! but then seeing as the tubes are in two'si would either have to get 2 blue tubes or put up with having 1 blue one and 1 daylight tube on in the evening.
i like the effect that the cold cathodes give but was basically wondering if a blue actinic tube would work as a replacement. or can i get a clip on light with a blue actnic tube in it?

 

[BenPursglove]

Actinic tubes are used in marine hobby to simulate the correct light for coral to grow. In nature the red and yellow parts of the light are filtered out by the water depth leaving the blue part in the light (not that I'm a marine keeper, just read it in a few places)

Can't see a problem in freshwater unless you have a lot of plants to grow in which case they won't grow anytime soon.

 

[Straydum]

as BenPursglove says, actinics are more for marines for coral visuals. if you're not into plants then the T5s aren't really necessary. actinics won't promote plant growth as opposed to the daylight from the white tube.

another option here is to get two daylight tubes and supplement the blue you want with LEDs.

 

[Nick16]

as BenPursglove says, actinics are more for marines for coral visuals. if you're not into plants then the T5s aren't really necessary. actinics won't promote plant growth as opposed to the daylight from the white tube.

another option here is to get two daylight tubes and supplement the blue you want with LEDs.

yeah, i think i will get some LED'S. i cant decide whether to have the new tank planted or not, ad if i chose not then do i have nay substrate at all becuase if i dont then its so much easier to clean!