Lighting in stupid please?

[saltbubbles]

I have a tank that is doing pretty well. It has a MH and 4 actinics 2blue and two white. I did not choose them. That's the way they came.
Now, I've read about lighting but I just don't get it. I have a little money that I want to spend on possibly something absolutely necessary, lights for instance. NO. YOU MAY NOT ASK HOW I CAME ABOUT THAT MONEY!

1. Where can I read something that is easy enough to understand.
I know, I'm slow.
2. Can I have all blue lights since I have a MH?

3. What are true blues? Do they require a special fixture?

4. Is there any actinics that are as close as LEDs as you can get?

I would not go with all LEDs as I've noticed a lot of people eventually miss their MH but I like how colors pop with LEDs.
I've read that many people want to supplement their LEDs with something else.

Why not supplement what I already have with LEDs? I was thinking, perhaps there is an LED spot light that can be aimed towards the tank?

 

[jbdreefs]

I forget who makes it. Look for the LED group buys on this site. They make a "washer" I think its called... that is exactly what you described.. I think you can get them in all blue. Mount towards the front of the tank and angle it towards the center.

Maybe the name is e-shines?..

 

[slowjazz]

saltbubbles;786462 wrote: I have a tank that is doing pretty well. It has a MH and 4 actinics 2blue and two white. I did not choose them. That's the way they came.
Now, I've read about lighting but I just don't get it. I have a little money that I want to spend on possibly something absolutely necessary, lights for instance. NO. YOU MAY NOT ASK HOW I CAME ABOUT THAT MONEY!

1. Where can I read something that is easy enough to understand.
I know, I'm slow.
2. Can I have all blue lights since I have a MH?

3. What are true blues? Do they require a special fixture?

4. Is there any actinics that are as close as LEDs as you can get?

I would not go with all LEDs as I've noticed a lot of people eventually miss their MH but I like how colors pop with LEDs.
I've read that many people want to supplement their LEDs with something else.

Why not supplement what I already have with LEDs? I was thinking, perhaps there is an LED spot light that can be aimed towards the tank?

How big/deep is your tank? What do you intend to put in it? True Actinics offer no/very little par and should only be used if you have enough white and blue/white blubs. There are alot of things to consider with lights. Tank depth, quality of bulbs, age of bulbs and schedule. (ie: does your lighting allow of to set dawn,midday, evening with combos of light colors)

 

[snowmansnow]

haha in "stupid" well said haha..

1.
2.. It depends on what K (Kelvin rating) your MH is. If it is a yellow looking light (lower K) then you can put blues on.. if it is a blue looking light (higher K) it may be too much.
What brand and kelvin rating is the MH? Can you tell ?
3. are these lamps t5 or t12? Seems true blue was t12.. cant remember..
4. Most of the time the blue you see with LED is ... BLUE.. and not the actinic color that got so popular with VHO's. (we are still trying to find that look)!

I think you're right with not going with LEDs right now.. JMO

I will agree with needing to know how deep the tank is and what is in it as per the previous post. However, dawn/ dusk/ mid day... moonlights.. all that stuff is marketing and won't have an effect on your corals. You can do with it just fine.

Something to consider is T5. If you don't want to go all out MH... I've run T5s over my display for a good 7 years now and with a GOOD unit you can grow ANYTHING that I've come across. A good NEW fixture can cost you... But Keep an eye out for something used. For instance.. I just picked up a 6x38w ATI Sunpower from another board for $250.

Keep researching.. it will all make sense eventually

B