Actinic bulbs also produce light that is used by corals for photosynthesis. Actinic bulbs are used mainly in salt water applications, this is because it emulates the deep blue colors of the ocean, and really brings out the colors of fish. They make actinic bulbs to fit many styles of fixtures, and you should have no problem finding one to fit your aquarium. They will light up the aquarium more then a black-light would, and will still cause your ornaments to glow. These bulbs tend to be purple (when closer to 420nm) to blue (when closer to 470m) in color.
The word “actinic” describes bulbs that are within the 420nm to 470nm range.
The bulbs I am referring to are called “actinic”. Unfortunately, black-lights produce too much harmful UV rays to be used practically on aquariums.ĭon’t worry there is an alternative for you! There is another type of bulb that causes the same glowing effects as a black-light, and it isn’t going to cause damage to your fish’s eyes. Many living corals produce UV protective pigments that will fluoresce under UV light as well. Many types of paints used on ornaments will fluoresce (or glow) when exposed to some form of UV light. The benefit is that UV light tends to cause some materials to fluoresce. 370nm is just barely within our range of visible light, and is quite far into the violet spectrum, producing UVA rays which can potentially be harmful. You should never stare directly at a black-light, and neither should your fish!Ī black-light is essentially a fluorescent bulb that produces light in the 370nm range. The reason using a black-light is a bad idea is because it produces mostly UV light that is damaging to the eyes. This is actually a popular question that I have been asked many times, and I always give the same answer that it really isn’t a great idea.
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