need help picking out t5 lights

[nightfire76]

hows this for a set up or would that be too blue?
1 Super Actinic
2 12000K Actinic White
3 75/25 Bulb 14000K
4 12000K Actinic White

[Clownfish518]

Well, I would run two blue plus bulbs in the fixture. They put out a ton of PAR like Al said; they also put out light in the actinic spectrum and will cause fluorescence. I don't like to run actinic bulbs in a 4 bulb fixture myself as they don't produce a lot of PAR at all, though if I do run actinics it is the UVL super actinic.

For a more daylight look, I ran a blue plus, a 75/25, and two Aquasuns. Its not at all blue. Here is a picture taken in this setup



I was going for a more daylight look.

Not blue at all. The Phoenix 14k bulb is much bluer than the blue plus. Don't get put off by the name. As long as half your bulbs are whitish, your tank won't be blue. I am not as fond as blue like many same as you, but the blue plus is probably the best bulb in T5s. Two of them and two daylights will look nice.

[nightfire76]

thank you clownfish i suppose i can only ask is how do corals look under that light combo if ya know

[Clownfish518]

I don't have any corals in the tank yet. It is only 2-3 months old and I don't expect to add corals for another 3 months at least.

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by Clownfish518

.....Not blue at all. The Phoenix 14k bulb is much bluer than the blue plus. Don't get put off by the name. As long as half your bulbs are whitish, your tank won't be blue. I am not as fond as blue like many same as you, but the blue plus is probably the best bulb in T5s. Two of them and two daylights will look nice.

Very accurate.

Yes the Blue + are very "strong" bulbs when looking at PAR. I've got some graphs on them on my office computer I'll try to remember to link tomorrow.

[nightfire76]

ty al,i think that might help me get my first bulbs

[nightfire76]

as i said im looking for whats best to highlight colors in my tank but only being able to hold 4 bulbs,maybe 5 at most im sure im limited and if i have to deal with a little bluish water then ill get used to it

[BigAl07]

NF that's part of the beauty of T5's. There are so many possibilities and what makes one tank "POP" may do nothing for another tank. IMHO to get really good growth AND have POPPING colors you'll need to experiment and maybe even try to add more tubes as space and money allow. Some coral react better to deep blue light some don't do more than survive with blue light. It's just a game of trial and error.

[Clownfish518]

We are just talking bulbs here. If you try say 2 blue + an aquasun and a 75/25, and its too blue, then swap out a blue + for another daylight bulb, and stick it in the closet until its time to replace them.

Its really low risk

[nightfire76]

gotcha,i'll just try out what i can,anything is better then the 120watts i have now lol

[nightfire76]

i think i will most likely go with UVL,by what i saw on the charts,this seems like it'll have a great range of color with a good amount of blue...am i right?
Super Actinic
75/25 Bulb 14000K
12000K Actinic White
10000K AquaSun

[nightfire76]

anyone,thoughts on this combo?

[BigAl07]

I'm an ATI fan myself so can't help you out much.

[nightfire76]

hey al,mind looking at the charts of those bulbs and maybe let me know what ya think?

[BigAl07]

Sorry but I compare what my eyes see to the charts and I'm ATI.... sorry.