T5 configuration - Please help

[BZOFIQ]

I have 3 T5 48" Coralife fixtures over my 135 gallon tank. The tank is 6 feet long but I have a coral area and dark area with caves. The softies are doing great but I am wondering if I should maybe change some of the 10K bulbs to actinics

Here is the configuration and photoperiod. Each fixture has two (2) bulbs.

FRONT OF THE TANK --------

10K & 10K - 1:30-10:30

Actinic & Actinic - 12:00 - 12:00

10K & Actinic - 2:00 - 10:00

BACK OF THE TANK ----------




Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Johnsteph10]

It looks like you have 1/2 actinic and 1/2 10k.

I wouldl lose the actinic as they aren't any good - for now, switch them to Blue+ bulbs - they are excellent. URI has released a limited number of true actinic bulbs but supplies are limited right now.

The Blue+ add a nice slight blue tint and really help corals pop as they also have a spike at actinic levels.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Thank you,

I was actually thinking that I should add more actinics and take out some 10Ks. I don't particularly care to improve the color of corals, I am just looking to improve the growth. I only keep softies and they are doing great but just wanted to see how would others do it.

Anybody else?

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

configuration

configuration

I would loose the actinic in the back for another 10k winding up with a 2 to 1 ratio white to actinc. If the blue bulbs indeed are better I would switch to them on the next bulb change.
JMHO

 

[BZOFIQ]

I am kind of surprised, I though that it is the actinics that drive the growth and not the 10K. Every morning all the corals open up when the actinics go on and don't close untill they are out. If 10K is what the corals need why don't they start closing when the 10Ks go out. Would you guys change anything with the placement of the bulbs? At that pet place they use some soft of blue bulbs over their coral selection, I am not sure if they are actinics or some sort of blue lights.

I am open for more suggestions

Bernard