T5 help

[Pslreefer]

So I added a 6 bulb 4ft Hamilton T5 fixture today on a 180. It sits about 9 inches over the tank. I haven't put the leds on the ends yet but when I turned on the fixture on the sps colors just looked like complete poo, bland, faded, yuck!

The bulbs are all blue plus with one actinic in the middle. Would that be the reason? The sand corals under the mars aqua were sooooo much better looking.

What's going on?

 

[Pslreefer]

T5 help

I'm thinking just too much blue as it looks like when I turn all the blues only on leds but a bit uglier

 

[mcgyvr]

Yes bulb selection makes a huge difference and can absolutely be tailored to your personal tastes..
My favorite so far (only on second round of bulbs/year 2) was
2 x actinic
2 x blue +
2 x Aquablue special

 

[RobZilla04]

T5 output is STRONG. Realistically you are seeing the coral under completely different lighting (both in output intensity & color).

With a six bulb fixture, the combinations are nearly endless. I'd shoot for a variety as mentioned above.

Suggestions

Lagoon blue
Super Blue
Coral +
Fiji Pink
Purple +

 

[Pslreefer]

Thanks. It doesn't look bright at all but that may be due to the spectrum and the use of mostly blue plus bulb color?

 

[blowmecius]

Blue + are not really meant to be a stand alone bulb. I know what you mean about the "icky" blue color. I Have an old 5 bulb fixture and use:
Blue+
Blue +
Purple+
Coral+
Blue+
This give a nice bluish white. Everyone has their own taste. Combinations are endless and do look different depending on bulbs.

ATI has recommended combinations on their web site: https://www.atinorthamerica.com/faq.php

 

[Pslreefer]

Ordered a c and p, gonna keep the actinic in there

 

[blowmecius]

Love actinic! That will certainly make florescence pop.