invincible569
New member
Gsm, i couldnt beleive my eyes either. You may be right because i will have the black background with more open space.
Va, thank you. Which ideas do u plan to use?
Va, thank you. Which ideas do u plan to use?
Isla Escondido - invincible569's Rimless 300g
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clownnrnd
New member
Well I don't know about VA but I'm busy picking away at your fish list up here 
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Just wondering if you have done much playing around w/ any T-5 bulbs yet? I know your fixtures still pretty new but I was wondering if any T-5 combos were kind of catching your eye? I'm having a hard time deciding on which way to go w/ mine when I need to replace my bulbs.
Chad
.Just wondering if you have done much playing around w/ any T-5 bulbs yet? I know your fixtures still pretty new but I was wondering if any T-5 combos were kind of catching your eye? I'm having a hard time deciding on which way to go w/ mine when I need to replace my bulbs.
Chad
invincible569
New member
GSM, Thats a good idea about the livestock list. I'll set one up. 
Chad, The best T5's that i have used in this tank and my previous are the ATI Blue Plus hands down. I love those bulbs and you can get them from reefgeek.com They make all the blues stand out and wash out any yellow from your tank that your 10k's may emitt. I've been wanting to try the URI Super Actinic's, but havent needed too because I am using the Giesemann Super Actinic's as they came with the fixture. Are you looking for supplementation (color enhance) or for a more white look?
Chad, The best T5's that i have used in this tank and my previous are the ATI Blue Plus hands down. I love those bulbs and you can get them from reefgeek.com They make all the blues stand out and wash out any yellow from your tank that your 10k's may emitt. I've been wanting to try the URI Super Actinic's, but havent needed too because I am using the Giesemann Super Actinic's as they came with the fixture. Are you looking for supplementation (color enhance) or for a more white look?
clownnrnd
New member
I really don't know exactly what I want to do. I'm kind of thinking I may try the URI actinic in combination w/ some AS 15k bulbs. Not sure what they call it, and then go w/ a 14k or maybe even the 20k Helios MH's. I have plenty of power w/ the 3-400w MH's on IC's and then I have the 8-39w T-5's in the fixture and I really can't raise the fixture much w/o having alot of light spilling out. My fixture is about 9-10"s off the top of the tank.
Chad
Chad
invincible569
New member
Since you have 400w's, why dont you try it backwards and go with Radiums for the MH's and 10k's for the T5's? If I had a 400w fixture, the Radiums would of been my first choice. I have seen a tank with Radiums and the colors are unbelievable. Looks like Japanese tanks when the corals are all colored up. Or Maybe try a Radium in the middle to see if you like i first. Then you could choose your T5's since those are just supplementation (should be last pick).
Or Maybe try a Radium in the middle to see if you like i first. Then you could choose your T5's since those are just supplementation (should be last pick).Ed,
I tried ATI Blue plus with the UVL super actinics T5's and 14k spectrum Hamilton DE in the past and the color was great. I'm about to replace my new T5's bulbs in my fixture because I don't like the color.
The UVL super actinics is a bit purple IMO but with the conjunction of blue plus....great combo!
I tried ATI Blue plus with the UVL super actinics T5's and 14k spectrum Hamilton DE in the past and the color was great. I'm about to replace my new T5's bulbs in my fixture because I don't like the color.
The UVL super actinics is a bit purple IMO but with the conjunction of blue plus....great combo!
invincible569
New member
Ah ok. Well the Giesemann Super Actinics arent purple at all. They do make the corals fluoresce, but not as strong as it did when I had 2 VHO's in my past tank with the URI's. Im not sure if they make the 60" UVL Super Actinics? I may try one months from now.
melev
Well-known member
Regarding lighting, I just wanted to drop in some of my own personal experiences, if you don't mind. I've been running a 20,000K XM 400w bulb over my tank for some time now, and love the look. Maybe 2 years now. Here's a picture. My Hippo Tangs kept splashing it and bulb after bulb was replaced. That got expensive, and I went through my stash. I'm currently using a 15000K XM which is only because I have it (and one more after this one) but I don't really like the look. I also have four or five Radiums to use, which seems to be as good as the 20,000K bulb although they just label it as "BLUE" on the bulb. 
When I ran T5 actinics years ago, I thought they were nice, but they simply did not come close to what VHO actinics produce. I know VHOs use double the wattage, but the lighting is better to my eye. As Invincible stated it the post above, his corals looked better under VHO vs under T5s. I've had the same experience. I love looking at my tank during the final 35 minutes of the lighting schedule when only the VHOs are on. The reef's colors pop!
When I ran T5 actinics years ago, I thought they were nice, but they simply did not come close to what VHO actinics produce. I know VHOs use double the wattage, but the lighting is better to my eye. As Invincible stated it the post above, his corals looked better under VHO vs under T5s. I've had the same experience. I love looking at my tank during the final 35 minutes of the lighting schedule when only the VHOs are on. The reef's colors pop!
majesticangelfish
New member
Hi Edward,
Thanks for the kind words mate! Have you given any thought to the KZ Fiji Purple bulbs? I found them in combination with the Giesemann Pure Actinic gave a strong colour “pop†in my Acropora. JMO.
Cheers
:beer:
Thanks for the kind words mate! Have you given any thought to the KZ Fiji Purple bulbs? I found them in combination with the Giesemann Pure Actinic gave a strong colour “pop†in my Acropora. JMO.
Cheers
:beer:
invincible569
New member
Marc, great picture! Do you get a better spread with the lights perpendicular because of the reflector or the way the bulb is aimed (front to back instead of side to side). Are your Radiums 400 or 250w?
Josh, I heard about the purple KZ's. Do they sell them in 60"?
jnarowe, do you have a pic of the 20k Ushio? Im looking for a very deep blue 20k.
Josh, I heard about the purple KZ's. Do they sell them in 60"?
jnarowe, do you have a pic of the 20k Ushio? Im looking for a very deep blue 20k.
melev
Well-known member
Yes, the light spread is better with the reflectors perpendicular, but I'm looking at possibly switching to Luminarc III Minis instead, of I can get the VHOs to fit as well. I'd really like to spear them through the reflectors but others in that thread thought it was a bad idea.
The Radiums are 400w.
The Radiums are 400w.
mr.wilson
.Registered Member
I find the Giesemann T5 Pure Actinics look more like full spectrum bulbs, and the Actinic Plus look too violet. The Pure Actinics illuminate the tank too much, and you lose the twilight effect. This is based on 4 x 39 watt lamps over a 200 gallon tank (6' x 2' footprint).
The Aqua-Medic T5 actinics give a much more aesthetically pleasing blue colour, but they aren't true actinics like the "Pure Actinics" are. The AM actinics give you that relaxing twilight effect.
The Aqua-Medic T5 actinics give a much more aesthetically pleasing blue colour, but they aren't true actinics like the "Pure Actinics" are. The AM actinics give you that relaxing twilight effect.
invincible569
New member
jnarowe, Thats very blue and such a big tank!!! It's going to take you many years to finish adding corals to that tank. 
mr. wilson, so which is the best actinic bulb that does give you the blue/green pop and are true actinics?
mr. wilson, so which is the best actinic bulb that does give you the blue/green pop and are true actinics?
majesticangelfish
New member
Here you go:
http://www.korallen-zucht.de/de/sho...inant/82_t5-coral-light-fiji-purple-80-w.html
From all the bulbs I have run, this is by far my favourite for colour.
HTH :rollface:
clownnrnd
New member
Edward, I love the Radiums. They are my favorite bulbs. I liked running them on a HQI ballast. Now I have the IC's so I think it will be slightly bluer but I don't know by how much. And you always get such great color w/ the radiums. Problem w/ the radiums is the life of the bulb and I like the dawn-dusk effect of a actinic. I liked the URI-VHO's the best. I have'nt found a T-5 that is comparable. Of course I have'nt looked much either . Also I have heard great things about the Aqua connect 14k bulbs. How long do they usually last? These are the kind of decisions that make me mental 
.
Chad
. Also I have heard great things about the Aqua connect 14k bulbs. How long do they usually last? These are the kind of decisions that make me mental .Chad
hawaiianwargod
Active member
Edward,
I'm getting a headache everytime I think of which lighting combos to get to replace my current bulb combos...definetly I will change it soon as I am so annoyed by the color it emits!!! I do like the ATI blue+ though for supplementation.
I'm getting a headache everytime I think of which lighting combos to get to replace my current bulb combos...definetly I will change it soon as I am so annoyed by the color it emits!!! I do like the ATI blue+ though for supplementation.
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