Best lighting for softies?

[jaydubh11]

I plan on putting together a 75g of all soft corals and possibly a few LPS. I am trying to figure out the lighting. I have decided to go with a T5 retrofit (probably 4x54 watt). My question is, what would be the best combination of bulbs to provide the ideal spectrum to softies?

 

[Justin74]

Leathers would be able to soak up as much as you can throw at them from what Ive seen so their not an issue, but alot of mushrooms,yuma's, quite a few LPS to name a few will need to be acclimated to the light as it is intense, some will always need to be shaded. I would recommend starting with a 50/50 split with aquablue(daybulb11-15k depending on brand) and an actinic+ or some form of actinic depending on your preference regarding PAR and/or preference to blue and purple Ive found success with both. Out of my 6 bulbs only 2 are day bulbs and Im growing acros on my sandbed Get some nice leathers if you like em, they love T5!

-Justin

 

[Jeanniee]

I switched from an Orbit PC fixture to an aquactinics T5 5x54 and my softies have gone completely nuts. My colt coral has tripled in size and is about to outgrown my 75g. I agree with Justin my leather loves the new light.