Lighting? (1 Viewer)

[jtveach]

I'm sure this will produce a ton of opinions but I need a place to start.

I purchased an Aquatic Life T5/HO hybrid light today. I am looking for a balance between growth and color as my latest build will start life as a mixed reef. More forgiving SPS only.

I have some AI sols I will probably use. I also have a AI prime that I would consider purchasing another and using those with the T5's. Eventual goal is to run 2 Kessil A360's when I grow up.

My question is, I will have 4 x T5 slots available. What combo of T5's do you guys suggest?

 

[gregg]

Blue plus in all 4 slots is my suggestion. A famous reefer once told me that and I’m sticking to it lol

 

[Reefahholic]

Either ATI Blue+ or Giesemann Actinic Blue

The ATI ABS is a great bulb to mix in. Or ATI Purple+, Giesemann Super Purple, or Super Actinic.

I’m currently running:
-Front to Back-

ATI Actinc
ATI ABS
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+
LED LED LED
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+
ATI ABS
ATI Actinic


Psxerholic’s Giesemann bulb combination:
-Front to Back-

Actinic Blue

Super Actinic

Actinic Blue

Super Purple

Super Actinic

Azure Blue

Super Purple

Actinic Blue


Diiiesel’s ATI bulb Combination:
-Front to Back-

Blue +

Coral +

Blue +

Purple +

Blue +

Blue +

Purple +

Blue +


My old combo:
Front to Back:

KZ New Generation

ATI Actinic

KZ Super Blue

ATI Blue Plus

LED LED LED

ATI Blue Plus

KZ Fiji Purple

KZ Coral Light

KZ Fiji Purple

 

[Cody]

Blue plus in all 4 slots is my suggestion. A famous reefer once told me that and I’m sticking to it lol

The reason for that is because these corals aren't getting very much, if any, red light in the wild. A blue+ bulb is basically a coral+ minus the red part of the spectrum. These corals have spent thousand of years evolving to grow in areas without hardly any red light. The red light is mostly for us to see them with.

 

[jtveach]

The reason for that is because these corals aren't getting very much, if any, red light in the wild. A blue+ bulb is basically a coral+ minus the red part of the spectrum. These corals have spent thousand of years evolving to grow in areas without hardly any red light. The red light is mostly for us to see them with.

Cody... just read through your fish room build over the last few days... awesome build. I may hang my light fixture in a similar fashion.

Does the red light change how they appear to us? Meaning, will I be missing out on visible color on the corals if there is a lack of red? My Led selection could counter that I suppose.

 

[decimal]

Does anyone use the bluefish app? Highly customizable with preloaded lighting patterns etc. is great but I’m sort of disappointed that there is not even a simple on/off feature.

 

[Reefahholic]

Cody... just read through your fish room build over the last few days... awesome build. I may hang my light fixture in a similar fashion.

Does the red light change how they appear to us? Meaning, will I be missing out on visible color on the corals if there is a lack of red? My Led selection could counter that I suppose.

No red will definitely change the appearance. Most people run 15-20% whites, reds, and greens.