Retro'ing T5s in - what do I want?

[toothybugs]

Hey guys -

The last step of my upgrade is going to include adding T5s to my BML strips (20K MCs). Knowing next to nothing but a few good names, what are the T5 bulbs I want to add to my setup?

Currently I have my strips set to run at 40% whites and 50% blues/ UVs. The UV channel is a light lavender in appearance.

 

[reefmutt]

The blue plus seems to be by far the most popular for bringing out colour. Maybe add a pure actinic in there and then something with more full spectrum.. Maybe coral+, and/or a Fiji purple..
How many t5s are you adding?

 

[toothybugs]

4 (x39W, fwiw). I started to see the effect of highly-directional LED lighting with color on one side and nothing on the other so I'm really looking to fill in the holes and minimize sources of "new guy problems."

 

[reefmutt]

Well, t5 will definitely help with the 'new guy' problems..
I guess you are looking for some par for your t5s so I'd say 2 blue plus and then 2 more full spectrum. Coral plus or other full spectrum..
Bulb combos are a very personal thing depending on how you like the tank to look but I'd definitely start with 2 blue plus because they have the essential blue spectrum as well as relatively decent par..
I'm sure others may say to just add 4 blue plus.. But it doesn't seem like anybody else is posting...
It may serve you well to check out lots of threads one see what people are using...

 

[nemodan]

https://youtu.be/Y-TbkPJhHkY

I have in my tank:

Korallen Zucht KZ Coral Light II New Generation High Output T5 Bulb, 36" (39W) LT-KZ-CL2-36 (2)
Korallen Zucht KZ Fiji Purple T5 Bulb, 36" (39W) LT-KZ-FP-36 (1)
Giesemann Actinic+ T5 Bulb, 36" (39W) LT-GN-T5-AC-36 (2)
Super Actinic (1)

Hope this helps

Daniel

 

[rovster]

You really need to do your research because there are so many combos out there. Depending on the look you want that would determine the bulb choice.

I think a very popular 4 bulb combo is 3 blue + and 1 coral +. That would probably give you a nice 20K look. Some would use a purple + instead of a blue +.

I personally have 2 t5 to supplement my LEDs and I use 1 C+ and 1 B+. Its a nice full spectrum combo. I'm thinking of adding 2 more and I plan on either 2 B+ or a B+ and a superactinic.

If you want to lean in the whiter direction, you could always throw an AquaBlue Special which I like, but its not for everyone.

There's a couple of cool videos on ATI bulbs on youtube that you may want to search for. It describes and shows the differences between all the bulbs and may help you make your selection....

 

[jayball]

I am going with a coral+ and Blue Plus to start. Previously I had them running with a single channel strip and it looked good, took them out when the second strip (A MC 20K running violet-100% Blue-100% White- 70% ) went in due to under the canopy temperature concerns. Once I get the fans installed and build a new mounting solution they are going back in the extra spread and the blue channel on the MC strip will be turned down.

My personal taste regarding the color of a reef tank runs a lot whiter than most though, I find the 1:1 coral+ and Blue+ combo to be flat and washed out by itself and relied on the LED's to bring out the color in everything that was not florescent. In the future I plan on playing with a purple and an actinic bulb to see if I like any of it better.