T5 lighting help

[asbauto]

So I've seen a lot at threads about color, brand and configuration of t5 bulbs but I need some help. I'm switching from halides back to t5 on the 180 in progress and picked up an amazing deal but need help with 14 bulb t5 configuration. As of now it's 60/40 blue/white but only running 10k and actinic. Any help would be appreciated

 

[MrHarvard]

Wow man 14 T5s that's killer!! I personally would run the following combo it gives you solid growth and a nice overall spectrum.

(8) ATI Blue Plus
(4) ATI Aqua blue special
(2) KZ Fiji Purple

This combo will probably give you better growth but you may not like the overall look and corals may not "pop" as much.

(2) GE 6500k
(6) ATI Blue Plus
(2) ATI Coral Plus
(2) ATI Aqua Blue special
(2) KZ Fiji Purple

 

[asbauto]

Thanks for the input Mr Harvard I might add the purples now to see what it looks like the bulbs are only a few months old so I don't have to replace them all right away but I do like your first suggestion best

 

[MrHarvard]

Thanks for the input Mr Harvard I might add the purples now to see what it looks like the bulbs are only a few months old so I don't have to replace alll right away but I do like your first suggestion best

No problem! Another suggestion is adding either some DIY blue leds or led strip (ecoxotic, reef brites, etc...) to the fixture. I know when i switched from MH i missed the shimmer a lot. The leds will give you the shimmer and some extra "pop" in your corals.

 

[kory1006]

No problem! Another suggestion is adding either some DIY blue leds or led strip (ecoxotic, reef brites, etc...) to the fixture. I know when i switched from MH i missed the shimmer a lot. The leds will give you the shimmer and some extra "pop" in your corals.

I agree. I love the look of my tank with LED/T5. It will also help with bulb replacement costs. Replacing that many bulbs every 6-12 months is going to be $$$.

 

[asbauto]

Yeah bulb replacement price will be $ so I figure if I replace some now it won't be that bad to replace the rest in 8 months or so

 

[asbauto]

T5 light

T5 light

Here is a bad pic of the tank and light while I was water testing everything I think I would like more blue but it's hard to tell with no rock work

 

[aguila88psi]

For more blue I would add one or two rows of blue reefbrite XHO or equivilent blue LED strip