T5 Lighting Help

[fishgate]

I am going to replace my 2 39 watt T5 10k bulbs. How are the below coralifes? Also what is the purpose of Actinic? Do I need it or should I put 4 10k bulbs in my 4 bulb T5 fixture? If the below are no good, what would you recommend for a 10k bulb that won't break the bank?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+23750&pcatid=23750

 

[TL1000RSquid]

I like ATI's they're a couple bucks more each but worth it. Actinic's are for coral growth, if its a FOWLR tanks I guess you don't have to have them, but would still benefit coraline growth on the LR.

 

[ek9vboi]

I found a combo of the blues plus and purple up or purple fiji was great when it came to growth and development of coralline algae. I also would recommend ATI bulbs, they are very high quality bulbs and the par they give off is ridiculous.

For a 4 bulb system, get two blues plus and an aquablues special + purple up.

 

[mgould73]

I like ATI's they're a couple bucks more each but worth it. Actinic's are for coral growth, if its a FOWLR tanks I guess you don't have to have them, but would still benefit coraline growth on the LR.

Actinic bulbs have the lowest amount of par out of all t5 bulbs. They arent really used that much anymore and the blue + bulbs from ATI mostly have taken their place. Actinic bulbs are mainly just to bring out the floresence in corals. Unless you already have a bank of t5+ bulbs and lower light corals I really wouldnt use the actinics.

I suggest taking a look at the T5 Q&A thread in this forum for some more detailed explanations.

 

[fishgate]

Actinic bulbs have the lowest amount of par out of all t5 bulbs. They arent really used that much anymore and the blue + bulbs from ATI mostly have taken their place. Actinic bulbs are mainly just to bring out the floresence in corals. Unless you already have a bank of t5+ bulbs and lower light corals I really wouldnt use the actinics.

I suggest taking a look at the T5 Q&A thread in this forum for some more detailed explanations.

Thanks. I have Frogspawn and Zoas. I really can't see wading through 55 plus pages of that T5 thread just to find out what are the best 4 bulbs to put in my fixture. I have an idea and am looking for comments/recommendations.

What wavelength do corals actually need to survive? I am finding not too clear info on the sites that sell the bulbs, but I have an idea. If nothing else, I'll stick with the 10k and actinics just replace what I have with better bulbs. I'n going to be stopping by the lfs tonight for some cheato so I'll see what they think as well.

 

[mgould73]

Thanks. I have Frogspawn and Zoas. I really can't see wading through 55 plus pages of that T5 thread just to find out what are the best 4 bulbs to put in my fixture. I have an idea and am looking for comments/recommendations.

What wavelength do corals actually need to survive? I am finding not too clear info on the sites that sell the bulbs, but I have an idea. If nothing else, I'll stick with the 10k and actinics just replace what I have with better bulbs. I'n going to be stopping by the lfs tonight for some cheato so I'll see what they think as well.

The above post from ek9vboi and his recommendation of 2 Blue Bulbs, a white, and a purple are probably the best for color/growth and is the most popular 4 bulb combo.

Actinic bulbs Provide extra floresence in your colors but very low par. What you want is a mixture of spectrums especially high in the blue end.

Your 10k bulbs are white, and with your actinics your tank will look pretty much on the purple/pink side. You will see by using different color bulbs your tank will look visually pleasing as well as providing the proper light/spectrum.

I use all ATI Bulbs in my fixture, I will recommend the same as what ek9vboi mentioned.

2 ATI Blue + Bulbs
1 ATI Aqua Blue Special
1 ATI Purple Plus

Another combo which i now like in a 4 bulb setup are 2x ATI Blue +'s, and 2X ATI Coral Plus's. This will lessen the Purple look from the stand alone Purple +, and brighten it up some. It will still be blue, as the coral plus bulbs are 50% blue, 40% white and 10% purple.

Hopfully your LFS are better then mine in most of the area, as few of the ones I went to didnt even know what an ATI t5 bulb was .

 

[fishgate]

The above post from ek9vboi and his recommendation of 2 Blue Bulbs, a white, and a purple are probably the best for color/growth and is the most popular 4 bulb combo.

Actinic bulbs Provide extra floresence in your colors but very low par. What you want is a mixture of spectrums especially high in the blue end.

Your 10k bulbs are white, and with your actinics your tank will look pretty much on the purple/pink side. You will see by using different color bulbs your tank will look visually pleasing as well as providing the proper light/spectrum.

I use all ATI Bulbs in my fixture, I will recommend the same as what ek9vboi mentioned.

2 ATI Blue + Bulbs
1 ATI Aqua Blue Special
1 ATI Purple Plus

Another combo which i now like in a 4 bulb setup are 2x ATI Blue +'s, and 2X ATI Coral Plus's. This will lessen the Purple look from the stand alone Purple +, and brighten it up some. It will still be blue, as the coral plus bulbs are 50% blue, 40% white and 10% purple.

Hopfully your LFS are better then mine in most of the area, as few of the ones I went to didnt even know what an ATI t5 bulb was .

OK I just got these 4. $82 shipped so we'll see how they work. Thanks all!