Switching from mh to t5 u think be beneficial for sps?

[BrentH]

I do want it a tad brighter then what it's doing u think aqua blue special will make a diff versus the corsl +? I was planning on the 6500k but I don't want washed out colors either my fixtures will be here next wed so I'll be ready to mount that night I had the one up to visualize what it's going to be I know my corals will get more light it was awesome how the shaded spots the there are now we're lit up equaling what u guys said denser coral growth

 

[BrentH]

Mo have u done your first bulb replacement yet how long did u wait if you have ?

 

[billyzbear]

I sent you a PM, I have alot of bulbs. Some are new, most are used.

 

[tdb320reef]

I am running:

4 250W radiums
8 48" 80W ATI Blue +
96 Cree Royal Blue 80 Optics
24 Cree Blue 80 Optics
8 Cree Royal Blue Moons 350MA

I still think MH are the Best for my eyes but T5's might be the best all around bulbs for Acros.

 

[Moser]

I do want it a tad brighter then what it's doing u think aqua blue special will make a diff versus the corsl +? I was planning on the 6500k but I don't want washed out colors either my fixtures will be here next wed so I'll be ready to mount that night I had the one up to visualize what it's going to be I know my corals will get more light it was awesome how the shaded spots the there are now we're lit up equaling what u guys said denser coral growth

You can offset the 6500 my adding blues. It has the strongest PAR- non ATI.

The ATI Aquablue Special is a whiter bulb- still strong PAR and brings out pink red nicely, but fluorescence can be washed out a bit.

The ATI Coral+ is supposed to be the balanced bulb, a mix of everything. Slightly bluer than the aqua blue special and a hint of pink.

Those are the 3 "white" tubes to choose from, depending on how blue you like it.

I was told to try 50:50 mix of blue plus and coral+. That was a nice starting point.
For me, it lacked a little warmth so I added a Purple+ and that was nice.
I then saw the effect of actinics, which looked very nice, so I have slowly added actinics- they just give an extra fluorescent pop.
Also, my PAR was very high with the 50:50 mix, so I could afford to drop it a little and change some bulbs out at the same time to mix colours.

I would suggest experimenting with a couple of different coloured tubes. I have only recently swapped to T5 on my main tank, so no tube change, only swap outs.
I have had 6 Blue+ tubes on my frag tank for 18 months without a change and there is no problem yet- similar to Scott's experience with T5.

Mo

 

[BrentH]

I see a lot of the zeo guys using the Kz new generation bulb I understand it will take my own preference and time to see what I like best one thing I do know is blue + is the most used I figure the Kz new gen is like coral+

 

[BrentH]

Doubt any of you guys care to much but from the light bulb combo I have I decided I would like it a little bluer so Ibordered some extra bulbs per billyzbear recommendations for each 8 bulb fixture in going to do 4 blue+ 2 coral+1 purple plus 1anctnic not sure if one atnic will do much

 

[BrentH]

Got all my lights today going to mount them tonight

 

[BrentH]

Almost done no more shimmer but deff more color it's kinda hard to explain I'm happy with it!!i have one more to put up I'm running 4 blue + 2 cor+ 1 purp+1actnic on each fixture 32 bulbs total crazy!! I hope my sps like it don't pay attention to the 2 little t5 on very top they were there before I left them for night light kinda thing

 

[BrentH]

What do u guys do with the left over wire from the hanging kit the hangs down?

 

[sahin]

Your tank looks awesome! :beer: Do you have the non LED version?

Your combo of 4B+, 2C+, 1P+ and 1Act is just fine. There are one or two large tanks on this forum with 5B+, 2C+, 1P+ or 5B+, 1C+, 2P+ with great SPS colours.

With regards to the extra length of hanging wire, I tidy it away/tie onto fixture etc. Dont cut them whatever you do; they will unwind and lose strength.

 

[Chris Lakies]

Of all the combo's i've had i love the 1:1 ratio Blue+/Coral+.

 

[markalot]

Of all the combo's i've had i love the 1:1 ratio Blue+/Coral+.

Same here, and I may replace one of the Blue+ with a Coral+ in my 6 bulb fixture. I've tried to like AquaBlue Special but I just can't, and Purple+ puts too much of a reddish cast in the tank IMO, but then I only have 6 bulbs.

 

[BrentH]

Yes the non led but deff in the future ill upgrade.... I'm glad I didn't cut them thanks Sahin I actually thought about that. But they do seem like they would almost unwind if u cut them. I have some new bulbs coming today to play with aqua special coming today and some coral -+

 

[BrentH]

The only thing I see bothering me is in the middle were the fixtures meet its. A little dim. Not sure if there's anything I can do about that?

 

[cleverbs]

What do you think of the T5hos? How long have you had them? I am buying a mh/t5ho combo for my 220g but am now wondering if i should be getting a 8x80w T5ho ATI Sunpower.

 

[BrentH]

It's only been one day but so far I love way less heat is the first thing I noticed and the colors or the corals is great also the tank is lite up better like every spot gets light instead on random hot spots

 

[billyzbear]

If you mount the fixtures in an upside down "V" it will get rid of the dim spot in the middle. Doesn't have to be that much of an angle and/or move them closer together.
Awesome your almost there.
More pics when your ready.

 

[BrentH]

Thanks I'll try to angle them I almost need to do the v and also tilt them toward the middle .... One thing i like is they look so nice compared to before just streamline

 

[BrentH]

Fellow Ati user wondering if it's ok to have the fixtures basically touching when your rUnning more then one ? I have mine set up long ways with the cords on the ends so the fans are blowing the hot air out into each other is this ok? Hard to explain hers a pic I want to pull them in a little closer but worried about heat or this causing probs?