New to SW and have questions on Metal Halide

[Brady]

Hello guys,
I'm new to reef keeping and hope I can get some help with your suggestions on my lighting... I'm running two 250 watt fixtures with 15,000K XM Metal haide bulb right now. My questions are do I need to have the actinic light on at the same time to help with the photosynthesis? Also, how many hours should I have the metal halide lights turn on during the day....
Thank you in advance for your help!
Brady

 

[user 26995]

Hi Brady, Welcome to RF. No you do not have to have the actinics on at the same time. You dont technically need them at all. They are more for your preference in color that you get. You will have plenty of light with just the MH if thats what you prefer.
I run my MH's for only 6 hours a day. I do also run T5 actinics for 10 hours a day.

 

[Brady]

Thank you! As I'm new to this, there are ton of questions along the way. I just keep changing things around hoping they'll look better. At least I know what to do with the lighting for now ... Thanks again!