t5 bulb selection and height

[kjardine519]

Hello I have a double hagen t5 and a single hagen t5 fixture
The current bulbs I have running in the fixture are
2 blue plus and one 6700k hagen life glow

Other bulbs I own are
Two marine glow
A 18000 k bulb
And a coral plus

These fixtures are designed to sit right on top of the tank
They can be lifted using attachable legs or suspended

I'm planning on getting one more fixture( silly I know should have just bought a 4 bulb fixture in the first place)
How high roughly should I place it over a 16" deep tank
Also should I change out one of the bulbs in my current setup for one I already own?

I have lps and some sps ( birds nest and Monti)
I currently have the fixture right on top of the tank should I lift it?
Tank is 36*12*16 30 gal

 

[Michigan Mike]

I would keep the bulbs close as possible and since I prefer a bluer look I would probably use 2 blue plus, 1 coral plus & 1 18k Powerglo (pink).

If you can get access to a PAR meter that would tell you a lot.

 

[Stomatopod1701]

For the bulbs you have I would go with:
Blue +
Hagen 6700K
Coral +
Blue +
if you want it bluer sub in the 18000K for the 6700K

When you decide to replace your bulbs I would go with ATI, Geismann, GE or UVL only and get two blue (such as blue + or 75.25 actinic white) one full actinic (I like UVLs true actinic the best) and one GE 6500K or Geismann Midday Sun or similar bulb.

 

[kjardine519]

Thanks, a par meter would be the best way to see how high to hang the lights?