Softie Bulb Help

[jackde]

Have an old 96w CF light that came with my tank. I have purchased a few soft corals and they seem to be doing great but I'd like to get a new bulb. The one in the light now is a 50/50 and seems to give the water a yellow tint that I'm not to crazy about. Looking at bulb choices I'm a bit confused on what to purchase for soft corals. Would very much like to have some imput.

96 watt - 34"
SunPaq Actinic 460nm
SunPaq Actinic 420nm
SunPaq Daylight 10000°K
SunPaq Daylight 6700°K
SunPaq Dual Daylight 6700°K/10000°K
SmartPaq Daylight 10000°K/Actinic 460nm
SunPaq Dual Actinic 420/460nm

 

[Disher]

50/50 should not give off a yellow look. The bulb you're using is not giving off the correct spectrum due to its age.

 

[jackde]

Ok, old bulb causing yellow tint. Question still is should I order another 50/50 or would one of the others be a better choice.

 

[CMS!]

They say after six months bulbs start to lose some of the punch and wont't be as useful. I would go with the 50/50, but that is just personal choice.

 

[Cryptoblennie]

I am very interested in this too, as I am going to be setting up a new tank and Need to figure out which T5 bulbs to go with. There are so many, and they all have a different purpose. I've been running a 10K & Actinic bulb on my old tank, and was wondering if there is a better combo for a softy tank?

 

[wireefman]

it all depends on the color spectrum you like.. 50/50 if i remember correctly is more of a 10k bulb...


as far as bulbs for softies its just like anything else, the closer to the 65k look you get the faster the growth while the 20k will give you slower growth... whatever pleases your eye is what you should go with... with that said some leathers like the real bright yellow figi leathers IME have toned down and even turned more green under the 20k spectrum.
i prefer that spectrum however.

when i get my 24" t5 retro over my new tank which will be softy dominated im going to run something like this

blue +
fiji purp
blue +
pure actinic
blue +
blue +


i may throw in a pink in there as well.. not totally sure yet

 

[Monkeyfish]

In regards to the OP - From the bulbs you listed I'd purchase the 10k/actinic. If you don't like the actinic (blue/purple hue) then go for the 10K. Just actinic won't help the corals and 6700 will give you a yellowish tint.

Crypto - how many t5 bulbs will you be using?