Let's See Some T5 Only Lite Tanks (remember Just T5 Lite Tanks) :-)
- Thread starter enomadra
- Start date
The thing about the 6500k bulbs (ATi SunPRO, not the GE crapola) is that they REALLY bring out the colors in orange/red/yellow pigmented corals. I have a really nice metallic red/purple welsophyllia morph that is getting redder by the day (I have never seen one this red). IME, you will need different spectrums to really make all of your corals stick out.
horkn said:yeah, i figured that.
but i think i have my next set of bulbs figured out....
I'm pretty curious how much better the ATI suns perform than the GE's. Looking at the spectrum of each bulb on Reefgeek, it does appear the ATI bulb has a bit more spectrum coverage than the GE bulbs. Oh well, I'm going to try the Aquablues first, and then if it's too blue and I start losing coloration, I'd probably replace one of the Aquablues with an ATI sun, rather than going back to the GE's to see if that helps at all.
At the end of the day it is a subjective matter. I think the best way is to just try different combinations yourself, the bulbs are cheap enough to buy and try. But i think i'm pretty settled with bulb combination i have now. Now the question is, what to do with the extra six bulbs i have.
Gabe
Gabe
slanky said:Wow gabe3d,
Thanks for posting those pics. I had two of the cheap-o GE sun bulbs in my mix, along with the ATI blue+ bulbs. Now that I've seen what a difference having the Aquablue specials makes in terms of your SPS coloration, I went and ordered two of the ATI Aquablues to replace the cheap GE daylight bulbs
While I get good growth under the GE bulbs mixed with the Blue+, it presents a somewhat washed out look in terms of coloration on some of the corals. So I'm looking forward to seeing what the Aquablues look like on my own tank.
I'm glad that i was able to help you chose bulbs. Good luck.
gabe3d
I like how the lighting looks. I especially like how the background is very black. The plumbing on the back does not stand out. This is what I will be trying to achieve. IS this how it looks or is it just the camera exposure?
If it does look that way, how did you set it up?
I like how the lighting looks. I especially like how the background is very black. The plumbing on the back does not stand out. This is what I will be trying to achieve. IS this how it looks or is it just the camera exposure?
If it does look that way, how did you set it up?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The GE has it's peak output in the blue spectum (good) but also puts out a lot of green (bad). It also has narrow ranges at the peaks where the ATI is broader and produces more Yellow/Orange and Blue light than green. I think it will come down to personal taste. I plan to run wichever looks the best.
sjm817 said:
This is actually how it looks. However i do clean the back of my tank once a week to keep algae from growing on the back. Another contributor to black background is also the actinics on the back. Back then when i had the sun in the furthest back slot the back ground looked blackish brownish. It made all the algae stand out. As for the plumbing, i have painted them black (only the ones that can be seen). I use to have htem white but couldn't stand it any longer.
Gabe
mordibv
Active member
Are you retrofitting or buying the ready made hoods? I am going to 8 bulbs as soon as I burn out my halides . I am presently using 4 with an icecap and 1 250 watt se20k with a 150 10k de pendant . I plan on using the pendant on a grow out tank when I get another hood built for the 120 and will order 4 more bulbs etc . Really depends on what u want to keep . It may be possible to get away with 6 . I am pleased so far with the temp's in my living room .Using halides made my house cool and heat way to erratic with the thermostat being in the living room with the tank..Good luck ..
Mine is set up the same way. Black background and the (minimal) plumbing stuff on the back is all black. Rear bulb is Actinic, glass is clean.gabe3d said:
The thing is, my current cr@ppy lighting seems to light up the back of the tank much more than I would like. I still see things more than I'd like. I will be going T5 soon and want to fix that. How far from the back glass is your rear most light?
BTW, it you need black PVC pipe and fittings, you can get it from Savko.com
mordibv
Active member
IMHO I would not get that kit .Check around with Reefgeek?Greg was easy to deal with .The GE bulbs last longer but the color cast is greenish yellow .Never heard of the blue bulbs .I use the ATI german bulbs . I use ATM 2 blue plus ,1 aqua blue and 1 sun . When I order again to complete my retro all I plan on using is aqua blue's and blue +'s . evenly split ..AquaLux may have what you need .So shop a little .But please do use the ATI bulbs.
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horkn
New member
www.aqualuxlighting.com has awesome prices, and their computer designed reflectors are great. i use them
i dont think the GE 6500k has a greenish tint at all..
but the other bulbs i use are ati blue 20,000k
jon set me up with a 3x39 watt t5 ho retro for around 170 dollars shipped to my door, with 2 ati 20000k bulbs and 1 ge starcoat 6500 bulb. i dont think theres a better value than that on good t5 ho setups..
i dont think the GE 6500k has a greenish tint at all..
but the other bulbs i use are ati blue 20,000k
jon set me up with a 3x39 watt t5 ho retro for around 170 dollars shipped to my door, with 2 ati 20000k bulbs and 1 ge starcoat 6500 bulb. i dont think theres a better value than that on good t5 ho setups..
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