Actinic calculator

[discuspro]

Okay, finally just moved into a tank that I'll be able to put actinics over to supplement my 250W metal halide. It is a 40 gallon, dimensions are 29.5"L x 20"H x 16"W (widest point of the bowfront).

I have hard coral growing and that is the main focus of the tank.

So the question is: how many watts of actinic light do I need to supplement this system with beside the 250W halide?

[GaryP]

As much as you can squeeze in. The more the better.

[discuspro]

Well, I want to know a range because I definitly need to know what is too little. Right now I have a power compact running at 65W, I'm pretty sure that is tiny compared to what I need but I want to get a number I can shoot for.

[LoneStar]

As much as you can squeeze in. The more the better.

Ditto..... you beat me to it.

[Richard]

Well, I want to know a range because I definitly need to know what is too little.

You can run your tank with just the MH and get decent results so it really isn't a matter of too little. So just fit in what you can. Personally I still prefer VHO for actinic over pc or T5.

[GaryP]

Right now I am running around 3:1 (MH:actinic VHO) but I wish I could double that to 1.5:1.

[hammondegge]

i have 190watts of actinic running with 175watts of MH. i find this to be too much actinic. i think on this system it would be ideal at 190act/250mh

[JimD]

It depends on the type of halide, I usualy try to stay near the 1:1 ratio with 10k's.

[greatwit]

I have two vhos with the 250 hqi 10k and it seems about right over my 40 breeder, but I think a little more blue would be ok too.