T5 Bulb Array Recommendations

[logans_daddy]

I just retrofitted a 72" fixture i had with 3 X Icecap 660 ballasts and 12 X 36" ATI bulbs. I wanted a cool blue look that would make all of my colors pop without the flourecent look of all actinic supplementation. After quite a bit of reading i went with the following array:

4 X Pro Color
4 X Aqua Blue
2 X Blue Plus
2 X Actinic

While the color isnt bad its not what i expected. I honestly did not see a huge difference between this array and my stock Current blue/white array which was a bit of a disappointment. I was considering replacing either 2 of the pro color or 2 of the aquablue with 2 blueplus.

I know this is a very subjective topic but im still interested in recommendations and any pics of T5 only arrays.

[Gordonious]

ATI Pro Color is, at least to my understanding, like the KZ Fiji Pink.  In theory these bulbs are great when sprinkled in with 5 or more other bulbs at helping certain colors pop.  I have never seen them being recommended by anyone as a significant amount of bulbs though.  I would take two of them out. 

What you replace them with is up to you, but you may even want to go with two more actinic to help the colors pop.  You may end up with a blue looking tank over all, but there you start to get into personal choice. 

To be honest I am still playing with what bulbs I like. 

As a random tid bit, I swear I will post more details at some point, but I found the PAR on a ATI Blue Plus bulb that is over a YEAR old to be higher than bulbs several other bulbs where were only a couple of weeks old. 

[logans_daddy]

I thought going with the aquablues instead of a 10K bulb would give me a bluer look than it did. Maybe i will pop out two aquablues and two procolor and add two blueplus and two actinic?

[icy1155]

When we were running t5's I was really pleased with a combination of 2x10,000K, 2x420nm, 1x460nm, and 1x6,500K.  That combo seemed to give me a fairly balanced color of light, but the two types of actinic bulbs seemed to make everything fluoresce quite nicely.

[martinfaimly]

its not only the bulbs you pick  but  the placement as well.  you can get different looks by moving the placement of bulbs   usually by placing the bluer bulbs up front give the bluer look. 

[kaptken]

Naw,  just need T12 UVL VHO actinics!  Old school.

[ronert]

Have you tried varying the order of the bulbs front to back?

[ronert]

BTW there's a T5 thread over on RC.  Not sure if you've checked that out.


Here's one post (and recommendation) for a 6-bulb fixture from there ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Misenplace101 
Grim,
Okay...it's that time to replace my stock bulbs on a 6bulb NEP. I would like a setup that promotes growth along with the crisp color pop of the sps's.

Thank you

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI or Giesemann Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

[Cdangel0]

I'm with Ted and Glenn - changing the order of the bulbs will make a huge difference in what the overall color looks like. Your eye picks up white different if it has to look through a blue spectrum to see it.

I made the same suggestion to another reefer recently and he came back really please with the end results.

[logans_daddy]

that makes perfect sense and its something i never even thought about. looks like im going to play around with my bulbs when i get a chance.

[TimH07]

I'm with Ted and Glenn - changing the order of the bulbs will make a huge difference in what the overall color looks like. Your eye picks up white different if it has to look through a blue spectrum to see it.

I made the same suggestion to another reefer recently and he came back really please with the end results.

It was me! . I had to think about it too because from front to back bulb number 2 and 6 are the dusk/dawn lights so i went with.

Actinic+
Actinic+
Aquablue
Aquablue
Aquablue
Actinic+

all Giesemann

Aquablue's are pretty much 10,000K's except Giesemann i believe are closer to 11,000k or 12,000k but the Actinic+ are the ones you want for the blue look with the higher PAR value than the pure actinic/420nm spectrum... those things are too much like blacklights for my taste.

I went from 3 and 3 current usa 10k and actinic+ to the same config with giesemann and the difference was amazing.

[kaptken]

And don't forget a Hagen T5 HO POWER-GLO.  Its rated at 18,000K.  A nice white with lots of blue spectrum in it.  A very healthy lamp  I've grown mini 2 1/2 gallon reef tanks i was raising Bangai cardinals in.  With only a bitty 12 watt NO Power-Glo bulb and the soft corals and red bubble macro really liked it.  Ive tried a couple 54W'ers in a tech light strip recently with some actinics.  looked nice.  It's an overlooked T5 bulb choice, i thimpk.   

[logans_daddy]

I posted the same thread on reef-geeks and it seems like everyone on both boards has close to the same advice. I ordered 4 extra ATI Blue Plus today and im going to pull out two of the aqua blue and two of the pro colors. Then i will play with the order a little bit and see what looks best. Thanks for the input guys.

[Gordonious]

Sounds like a good plan.  Take before and after pictures even if you don't show them to us.(which I know is likely because I haven't seen a photo of your tanks in 2 years) 

[Jocephus]

(which I know is likely because I haven't seen a photo of your tanks in 2 years) 

 

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