The T5 Q&a Thread - split

He guys, quick question... Tank is a small 36g bow with Coralife 30" H.O. T5 fixture with 4 bulbs. (2 actinics & 2 10k's).

Would it be a bad idea to run 3 actinics and 1 10k? Corals are open brain, flower pot, hammer, xenia, richs, shrooms, candy and polyps...

To me it just seems so bright and white compared to others tanks including my LFS. If you could just let me know. Thanks!
 
Joeb1983 said:
He guys, quick question... Tank is a small 36g bow with Coralife 30" H.O. T5 fixture with 4 bulbs. (2 actinics & 2 10k's).

Would it be a bad idea to run 3 actinics and 1 10k? Corals are open brain, flower pot, hammer, xenia, richs, shrooms, candy and polyps...

To me it just seems so bright and white compared to others tanks including my LFS. If you could just let me know. Thanks!
Click to expand...

First off with the bulb combination you are using I 'm guessing the present bulbs are the Corlife bulbs that came with the fixture. I had used some in a pinch when I had to replace a bulb will tell you I immediately noticed the difference between brand names.

Tight now I'm using mainly ATI bulbs that have a much better spectrum for your corals. The atinics are mainly used to enhance florescence and to reduce the total PAR in most aquariums. Using Blue Plus bulbs will provide enough Blue light for your coral needs much better than the atinics will. The 10,000K are a full spectrumed bulb and with 2 of them your overpowering that part of the spectrum. If it were my 4 bulb tank I'd go with either

2 Blue Plus Blulbs, one purple plus, and one GE 6,500K
or if you want a tank is much bluer looking
3 Blue Plus Blulbs and 1 Coral Plus Bulb.

Change the bulbs out one at a time not to shock the corals with the spectrum change and intensity difference. Spread the changes out to one per week. Start with replacing the Atinics with the blue plus bulbs first. You should then gradually see the difference in better coral color as well as better growth.
 
Thanks for the reply Dennis. Yes, they are the bulbs that came with the unit. However, from what I understand my Coralife fixture will only use Coralife bulbs... At least thats what my LFS told me and some reviews on Amazon. If thats the case I am strictly limited to only 4 H.O. T5 bulb options from them. (Actininc, 10k, 6.7k and "colormax"). :uhoh3:

My unit is the - CORALIFE LUNAR AQUALIGHT HIGH OUTPUT T5 FIXTURE 30''
Item # 08605 if that even helps. Had it 6 months and already had to replace the ballast... and yes, I know it is Coralife... Im poor. lol!
 
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Anybody run 5 blue plus 2 coral plus and an aqua blue special? Thoughts on this combo? Or is it better to run purple plus bulbs with the aqua blue?
 
jdraider75 said:
Anybody run 5 blue plus 2 coral plus and an aqua blue special? Thoughts on this combo? Or is it better to run purple plus bulbs with the aqua blue?
Click to expand...

Up until last week I ran 3 blue plus and 3 coral plus. I swapped one of the coral plus tubes with aqua blue special. My tank became brighter (and slightly whiter too) and the much talked about the "washing out" effect of the aqua blue did not materialise.

I would go for it. FWIW, the aquablue is in between two blue plus tubes.
 
DiscusHeckel said:
Up until last week I ran 3 blue plus and 3 coral plus. I swapped one of the coral plus tubes with aqua blue special. My tank became brighter (and slightly whiter too) and the much talked about the "washing out" effect of the aqua blue did not materialise.

I would go for it. FWIW, the aquablue is in between two blue plus tubes.
Click to expand...

Sound good thanks a bunch I will try it out. I have run aqua blue before but was running it with 2 purple plus. Thanks again.
 
Well I changed out the coral plus bulb for the aqua blue and wow its brighter. And your right colors look fine not washed out. Thanks for the help. My bulb placement:
Front
Blue
Coral
Blue
Aqua blue
Blue
Blue
Coral
Blue
 
I was thinking about this combo 5 blue plus 2 coral plus and an aqua blue special but I was also thinking about using the new bulb from giesemann t5 lagoon blue anybody use this bulb and what would be a could combo to use it with?
 
Hey guys, so I'm looking to replace my first bulbs in my 48" deep blue Solarmax double HO light. I've got a 75 gallon tank with some corals- a button polyp, galaxea, mixed Zoa, a couple nens- a condy and a sebae. I'm looking to really make the corals pop. What's the best replacement lights I should go with? (The more details on the brand/color/etc the better I'm somewhat new at this, only a year in with my saltwater tank!) thanks!
 
Hey T5 experts, I am currently running a 36" 4 bulb Aquatic life fixture. Bulb combo from front to back is ATI blue plus, Aquablue special, ATI purple plus, ATI blue plus. I really liked the color combo initially but am now wanting a slightly bluer look to the tank. When all bulbs are running, the tank has a pretty white look with just a touch of blue. When only 2 bulbs are running (blue plus, purple plus) it is a sort of strange bluish with a bit of purple color.

Would swapping out the Purple plus for another blue plus make the tank look too blue? I know that is a personal preference so I am looking for more of a 14000 k look. Not wanting a real blue 20000k look, I figure Im at 10000k now so I am thinking I would like a 14k look.

Thanks for any help.
 
ViktorVaughn said:
Hey T5 experts, I am currently running a 36" 4 bulb Aquatic life fixture. Bulb combo from front to back is ATI blue plus, Aquablue special, ATI purple plus, ATI blue plus. I really liked the color combo initially but am now wanting a slightly bluer look to the tank. When all bulbs are running, the tank has a pretty white look with just a touch of blue. When only 2 bulbs are running (blue plus, purple plus) it is a sort of strange bluish with a bit of purple color.

Would swapping out the Purple plus for another blue plus make the tank look too blue? I know that is a personal preference so I am looking for more of a 14000 k look. Not wanting a real blue 20000k look, I figure Im at 10000k now so I am thinking I would like a 14k look.

Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...

too Blue is something that is more in the eye of the beholder than anything else. That is provided you have something besides all blue bue bulbs.

If you want the max blue without going too blue for the corals then go with one Coral Plus and the rest Blue. If that is too blue for your taste then try 2 coral plus bulbs with the rest being blue.

Think of it this way if you ran all Coral Plus bulbs you would be very close to your combination now. The Coral plus is roughly 1/4 full spectrum, 1/4 purple, and 1/2 blue.
 
sarahej11 said:
Hey guys, so I'm looking to replace my first bulbs in my 48" deep blue Solarmax double HO light. I've got a 75 gallon tank with some corals- a button polyp, galaxea, mixed Zoa, a couple nens- a condy and a sebae. I'm looking to really make the corals pop. What's the best replacement lights I should go with? (The more details on the brand/color/etc the better I'm somewhat new at this, only a year in with my saltwater tank!) thanks!
Click to expand...

Yust 2 HO T-5's on a 75 gallon is extremely low light for Corals. I personally would go with 6 bulbs.

For the two bulbs to have a nice spectrum for the corals though I'd go with 1 Blue Plus and 1 Coral Plus. It will give you max pop without looking all blue.
 
DiscusHeckel said:
Pacific Sun states that "ATI Blue Plus is little similar to our Crystal Blue, but our tube offer "deeper" blue and more in UV region... Less visible light in 450-500nm are make corals much more pop"

What is the impact of "less visible light in 450-500 nm" on coral growth? I guess that it will result in marginally slower coral growth, but possibly not to the extent that it will be noticable. Right?

regards
Click to expand...

With less light at the 450 to 500 range it should have no effect on coral growth. Dependent on the coral though it may shift the florescence of the coral slightly Since some florescent proteins do need light in the 450 to 500 range. However these proteins are not in all corals.
 
Hello. has anyone ever they this bulb combo in their SPS tank?



Front to back:



Blue+

Coral+

Actinic+

Blue+

Blue+

Coral+

Actinic+

Blue+



Would that be a good combo? I know actinic is low PAR, but the actinics will be over my SPS thats already high up and dont really need the extra PAR. I just need to know if actinic+ will work good with the other bulbs on my list.
 
DragonWarriorPo said:
Hello. has anyone ever they this bulb combo in their SPS tank?



Front to back:



Blue+

Coral+

Actinic+

Blue+

Blue+

Coral+

Actinic+

Blue+



Would that be a good combo? I know actinic is low PAR, but the actinics will be over my SPS thats already high up and dont really need the extra PAR. I just need to know if actinic+ will work good with the other bulbs on my list.
Click to expand...

This combo should work for 18" deep tank like a 75 gallon. But it your running a 120 gallon tank the PAR level would be lacking especially for SPS Corals.

Also keep in mind that the tank will be very Blue. This may be great for some individuals taste but others might want a considerably whiter light spectrum. Your on the edge of being as blue as anyone I know of would want there tank.
 
Hey guys what do you think about this combo

Front
Blue+
Guessman Lagoon Blue
Blue+
Aqua blue special
Blue+
Guessman Lagoon Blue
Purple+
Blue+
 
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