Help selecting T-5 bulbs

[kevin_e]

So here is the deal, I want to know what bulbs I should buy for my system. I was leaning towards a Blue Plus and a Coral Plus from ATI, but my system is already pretty blue, but that will likely chnage as I crank my LEDs up slowly through acclimation (I get a whiter color). I want to make sure I cover full spectrum and get great par. I want to shoot for a 14 K look, so would 2 coral plus be better? I can adjust my blue LEDs to compensate, but the biggest thing I want is proper spectrum as I would be devastaed to lose my SPS over inadequate lighting.

Here are the specs:

I have 24 total LEDS on a 6x20 heat sink.

* The light sits 6-8" above the water line.
* The coral are about 13-16" below the light.
* They are mostly SPS coral (mostly Acropora spp. and Montipora spp.)

I have:

8 royal blue (80 degree optics)
4 cool blue (80 degree optics)
4 Neutral white
4 violet
2 cool white
2 cyan

I want to add 2 T-5 units with individual reflectors. Is there a negative to mounting them on the front and back of my canopy of a 45* angle (maybe a 30* angle would be better?)? If I lay them flat, they will be almost directly over the rim, or within a inch or two front and back.

Do you think this will be more than sufficient for my SPS coming from a 250 watt metal halide

http://www.hellolights.com/24-Inch-...archPage=1&searchRank=salesrank&searchSize=12

 

[rtparty]

I'd go with a LET retrofit kit from reefgeek and get one blue plus and one coral plus.

 

[kevin_e]

Thanks. I already purchased the retrofit kit.

Do you think a combo of those two will be too blue?

 

[rtparty]

Thanks. I already purchased the retrofit kit.

Do you think a combo of those two will be too blue?

No. Corals utilize more blue than anything. Just use your LEDs to fine tune everything. The T5s will provide the needed spectrum.

 

[kevin_e]

I meant for my eyes. I prefer a 14K look.

 

[Wills612]

IMO coral+ and blue+ will get you pretty close to a 14k

 

[kevin_e]

Will the bulbs be effective on a 45 degree angle or should I go with a 30 degree angle?

 

[kevin_e]

IMO coral+ and blue+ will get you pretty close to a 14k

In addition to the blue look from the 24 diodes?

 

[Wills612]

I run 2 vega blues with a coral+ and blue+ and it's a "14k" look IMO.

 

[kevin_e]

Thanks!

So this is how I plan to configure this. Thoughts?

The tank is 12" wide, as is the canopy, that's the reason for the angle. If I put the T-5s flat, they would basically spill over the front and back. Should it be 30degrees or 45 degrees?

 

[kevin_e]

That's a side/profile view. I.e. perpendicular to the actual photo.

 

[rtparty]

The angle shouldn't matter too much as long as you can point the reflector towards the tank.

 

[kevin_e]

Yep. I'll have the reflectors pointing 45* in too.