T5 Supplementation?
- Thread starter Wd40
- Start date
Im super happy with my ushio 20k.. I usually run 10k and went to 20k and i must say i absolutely love my ushios!
However, I am looking to see if i can do something to enhance or bring out additional colors with the T5 instead of running normal actinic bulbs..
Im open to suggestions.. thank you
However, I am looking to see if i can do something to enhance or bring out additional colors with the T5 instead of running normal actinic bulbs..
Im open to suggestions.. thank you
IndyReefMan
New member
I run (2) 250w DE Ushio 20K bulbs on my 72gal. I also run (4) 54w T-5's and have tried just about every T-5 bulb combination imagineable. I finally settled on (3) ATI Blue Plus and (1) UV Aquasun. While that may seem like quite a bit of blue to use in combination w/ 20K bulbs, the Ushio 20K is quite a bit whiter than most other 20K bulbs. The UV Aquasun offers just the right amount of red for me although the KZ Fiji Purple looks really good too.
IndyReefMan
New member
That's what I would do.
IndyReefMan
New member
I would try the UV Aquasun with the ATI Blue Plus. With two T-5's, you may find the Fiji Purple to be a little overwhelming.
I love the Ushio 20K's because of the color ... they arent overwhelmingly blue. I would personally never supplement them with a blue flourescent which just serves to create a bluer look. If I wanted a bluer look, I would have gone with bluer halides.
I usually run them with no supplements and just use actinics for dawn dusk. But 420nm super actinics supplement them well, they dont create so much a bluer look like the blue T5's rather they add the blue/violet color although the T5 actinics are bluer than the more violet T12 super actinic VHOs. But you stated that you didnt like the actinics. So, I would maybe try the fiji purple or ATI procolor. As another poster stated, two Fiji purples may be too much for your tastes, same goes for two Pro Colors or a Pro color and a fiji for that matter.
I hate the procolor but some like it so maybe worth a try. Of course, you can see if you like the additional blue you would get with the blue T5's like the ATI blue plus.
Ultimately, you have to find out for yourself and the only way to do that is to try different T5's for yourself.
I usually run them with no supplements and just use actinics for dawn dusk. But 420nm super actinics supplement them well, they dont create so much a bluer look like the blue T5's rather they add the blue/violet color although the T5 actinics are bluer than the more violet T12 super actinic VHOs. But you stated that you didnt like the actinics. So, I would maybe try the fiji purple or ATI procolor. As another poster stated, two Fiji purples may be too much for your tastes, same goes for two Pro Colors or a Pro color and a fiji for that matter.
I hate the procolor but some like it so maybe worth a try. Of course, you can see if you like the additional blue you would get with the blue T5's like the ATI blue plus.
Ultimately, you have to find out for yourself and the only way to do that is to try different T5's for yourself.
HighlandReef
Chalice Monger
if it was me i would not do anything else but the 20k's, its gonna be way blue
now whats the difference between uv aquasun and ati procolor?
I appreciate the help guys, first timer here with T5 dont wanna blow a wad of cash just testing them out...
N yes DarG i love the color of the ushio 20k. Right now i have D&D Pure Actinics and it looks nice but i know people mess with the bulbs to get other colors from there corals.. So in other words just more of a learning experience for me..
Thanx
I appreciate the help guys, first timer here with T5 dont wanna blow a wad of cash just testing them out...
N yes DarG i love the color of the ushio 20k. Right now i have D&D Pure Actinics and it looks nice but i know people mess with the bulbs to get other colors from there corals.. So in other words just more of a learning experience for me..
Thanx
Those are two pretty drastically different bulbs. The UVL Aquasun is a 10000K daylight bulb useful for getting gobs of PAR, whereas the ATI Procolor is a reddish bulb used to pull out the reddish colors in corals.
Between these two, for your situation, I would pick the Procolor over the Aquasun. If you want to increase the PAR your lights are putting out, I'd just switch MH bulbs to a 14000K bulb, instead of putting in a daylight T5 bulb.
Having said all that, I find the Procolor bulb to very much be dependent on personal taste. I didn't like the reddish tint it gave my tank.
