T5 combos

[nexusnight]

Here is the par map of my tank. I was suprised at the numbers  Thanks phil for comming out and hope thoes frags do well for you!!!!The meter jumps around a bit as u need perfect steady hands and well, i think we both lacked that lol. any way we were able to get good readings that were steady long enough to write them down.
highest reading was 705par and thats about 7" below the water line. water is about 20" from surface to sand.This light is a beast  8)

 

[Bfofre]

So.. Here is my question about lighting..  My  6 bulb T5 lighting is 3 actinic bulbs, 3 12k bulbs..  I much prefer the light when just the actinic are on..  So what can I replace the 12k bulbs with?

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

 

[Bfofre]

That's why I am following this thread,  I wanted to see pictures of actual tanks.  I want less white,  but don't want it crazy blue like some guys like..

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

 

[nexusnight]

id run coral plus bulbs it will be more blue tho. if u replace the actinics with blue plus and have one coral plus u may like that combo,and def have better par for corals to grow. in my pic im running 6 blue plus bulbs one coral plus and one purple. i find the purple helps bring out reds/pinks ect and makes fish look good. when all my bulbs come on the tank is still fairly white, blue on by themselves very blue. the coral plus bulb is really powerful whiteish bulb

 

[Bfofre]

Actinic only,  blue but not deep blue.  However not sure actinic does all that much for coral growth.

Actinic and 12k bulbs on... Totally white!
But I bet better for coral growth..

This is my first ever t5 system.. So bare with me..  Not sure what I'm supposed to go with for bulbs!

Do I get rid of the actinic?  What in place of the 12k?  Aaaaaackkk,  miss my halides!   

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

 

[nexusnight]

Combo I suggested would give u a similar look I think. Maybe less white tho


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Isnt it the blues that corals love and thrive under? Could very well be wrong but just wondering or is it just a preference

 

[Bfofre]

The other thing I'm struggling with right now...  3 new bulbs..  Another $80... 

I really like the shimmer I get from my led moonlights,  so now I'm thinking I should've went with led fixtures. 
Looking at the evergrow systems on eBay!  Ughhh..  What to do,
What to do...

 

[nexusnight]

Buy three bulbs from Unibob he has a good price on them. U have the fixture already and the cheaper led fixtures out there arnt up to par yet. Even when u go DIY the cost and time is close to a quality led unit. Unless u DIY a led light or go raidion quality "price point" u likely won't be as satisfied as u could be with t5. Don't get me wrong LEDs are great and many fixture will grow Lps, zoas and softies well but the units that grow sps are expensive. Even my five hydras didn't cut it for sps.  I had them for six months so I think I would've seen what they are capable of in that time.

Corals do make use of more blue violet light than white but they do need some of that white. I think I read on the other forum that guys would use the ge6500k bulb and corals would grow like crazy but with out say a blue plus the colours weren't there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nexusnight]

Let's see some more t5 users post up pics and combos. I know ur out there!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

have all LED so cant show ya

 

[nexusnight]

have all LED so cant show ya

Well u don't count anyway. lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk