Question about T5's

[monkeybiz]

I know that these zoas change thier color under different lighting. Right now I have 2 24" t5 HO over my 20 gallon long and was wondering if upgrading to 4 24" t5 HO would help zoas keep thier color better.

I don't really want to change to mh lighting and would hate to buy some nice feats just to have them change to brown or some other dull color

thanks

-tj

 

[jeremyreef]

how old are your bulbs?

 

[monkeybiz]

bulbs are 5 mo old and i dont have any zoa yet, i was just doind lil research before i jumped in and started buying everything

 

[staninct]

If you already have the fixture, I would try to keep the zoas under those and monitor them for a while. Try starting them at the bottom of the tank, then move them up gradually until you find the "sweet spot" where they seem to "pop" in color. If it doesnt happen by the time you are 6" from the surface, time for an upgrade of lighting. I have a 24" deep tank with 4x39w T5s over it, and can grow both SPS, LPS and Zoas. Picking the right bulb combo is really the most important factor. For reference, I have 3 Giesemann Aquablue + bulbs and one Giesemann Pure Actinic. Most people seem to have good like with the UVL and ATI bulbs, but I started with Giesemann and have had great results so I see no reason to change. Hope this helps!

 

[monkeybiz]

that does help thanks! i just found a local reefer selling a tek t5 4 bulb fixture so im going to go ahead and get it. i have a 20 gallon long tank so the fixture will over hang on both sides but i figure it'll be ok when i eventually upgrade to a larger tank.

If you already have the fixture, I would try to keep the zoas under those and monitor them for a while. Try starting them at the bottom of the tank, then move them up gradually until you find the "sweet spot" where they seem to "pop" in color. If it doesnt happen by the time you are 6" from the surface, time for an upgrade of lighting. I have a 24" deep tank with 4x39w T5s over it, and can grow both SPS, LPS and Zoas. Picking the right bulb combo is really the most important factor. For reference, I have 3 Giesemann Aquablue + bulbs and one Giesemann Pure Actinic. Most people seem to have good like with the UVL and ATI bulbs, but I started with Giesemann and have had great results so I see no reason to change. Hope this helps!

 

[logan 12]

I have a 20 gallon frag tank, with 4 t5 HO's over it. Here is a link to the pictures of the zoas here on RC.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1667639&highlight=zoa+maddness

 

[Fishindude88]

I have a 4 bulb T5 fixture with 1 10k bulb, 1 12k bulb and 2 actinic bulbs and mine seem to be doing great at the bottom of a 55. In a 20 long I would go ahead with 3 actinic to one daylight.

 

[monkeybiz]

Thanks for the advice everybody. Is the color difference between 1 10k and 3 actinic slot different from 2 10k and 2 actinic?

 

[staninct]

Yes, the more actinic you add the more blue the tank will look.