T-5 bulb positioning question

[jmaschh]

I just got my new t-5 lights in the mail today and I would like some opinions on how to arrange the bulbs. I have 3 actinic and three 10000k bulbs. I have heard that if you put the actinic bulbs in the back that it creates a distancing image and appears that the tank is deeper than it really is.

The light has two power cords that each control three bulbs. Do you think I should put three actinics on one cord and the three 10000k on the other?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Justin

 

[mpcart]

Re: T-5 bulb positioning

Re: T-5 bulb positioning

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7640355#post7640355 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmaschh
I Do you think I should put three actinics on one cord and the three 10000k on the other?

That's the way I have mine. That way you can do a dusk to dawn effect.

-Mike

 

[jmaschh]

That's kind of what I was thinking. Do you have your actinic in the back of the tank?

 

[mpcart]

My actinic is in the back and I don't think it really adds much depth on my 18" wide tank.

Here is a pic. The lamps are on three ballasts.

From top to bottom:

Ballast 1
Ballast 2
Ballast 3
Ballast 1
Ballast 2
Ballast 3

I have a three stage dusk to dawn.+

Here is a pic of the tank - you can easily see the back of the tank. I think scraping the corraline off the back and painting it black does more for depth than the lighting.

Good to see another O'Fallon, IL reefer.

-Mike