T5 Bulb Mixture Selection

[migston]

Need some input from T5 users. I currently have 2x54w T5s and just won an auction for 2 more fixtures. I currently have one 6500k Sun and one Blue Plus bulb.
Which bulb configuration would be best for LPS growth as well as aesthetics? I definitely don't want a yellow looking tank or a tank that is too blue.
Does 2x6500K Sun, 1xBlue Plus and 1xActinic sound good or should I go with two Blue plus? I've read varying opinions on T5 actinics. Some say they put out very little light while others say they make coral flouresce better than the Blues.

 

[cowpoke]

Reviving an old post
Looking at buying an 8 lamp T5 fixture
I would love some input on this same question?
Not looking at having any sps just some of the easier corals and anemone
Thanks
Cowpoke

 

[wrassefan]

I use 2 sun bulbs and 2 blue plus bulbs overdriven by an IC660 ballast. Growth has been pretty good on my sps. Recently switched one of the blue plus with an 11k bulb. Seeing if it improves some of the blue colored corals (kinda greenish aqua).

 

[cowpoke]

Thanks Wrasse
Since there are 8 tubes in the fixture
I am wondering if I should just go 50/50 with the 10,000 and actinic's or if I should mix them differently.

 

[reefraff]

You might find two suns to be more yellow than you want mixing them with a blue plus and actinic. If you were to go with two blue plus and 2 suns it will give you the look you have now. Adding an aquablue instead of a sun would shift it a bit more toward blue. The actinic lamp will do little to create a change in your visible light but will fluoresce your corals a bit more.
This is a pic under 2 each of aquablue, sun and blue. Mine are 80 watt lamps that are overdriven so the blues are not a good as the shorter blue plus lamps.

 

[wrassefan]

My 54w bulbs are overdriven also and are running about 80w each according to Ice Cap. I find that replacing one of the blue plus bulbs with an 11k bulb makes it a bit brighter without losing much blue. Depends on what you like. The sun bulbs will give you the best growth tho not necessarily the best color.

 

[cowpoke]

Thanks Reef and Wrasse!
great info!
Sounds kind like you have to make an educated guess,(Wag) and then see what you like after you mix and match a bit

 

[wrassefan]

Here's an older pic of my tank with 2 sun and 2 blue plus.

 

[wrassefan]

That didn't work. Let's try this.

 

[cowpoke]

Much cooler picture Wrasse!
Looks great
Thanks again for the help
And as always any additonal thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Cowpoke

 

[reefraff]

Cowpoke--
Do you have a choice of all 4 T5 lamps?
The lamps they call 10K's are actually Aquablues, a 60/40 actinic/sun that most places rate at 11K, very crisp white light.
The actinics provide virtually no visible light but will fluoresce your corals better than the Blueplus bulbs.
The Blueplus provide visible blue light (like a MH Radium bulb)and decent fluorescence in corals
Suns provide the most punch into the water but look a tad yellow as a stand alone.
If you are limited to "10K" and actinic 50 50 is a good place to start. If you have a choice of all four lamps I would run 2 of each and then you could easily tweak the color, a little or a lot, by replacing a single lamp.

 

[cowpoke]

Thanks for the response Reef
I can only pick from two types of tubes, they are calling those 10K and actinic 420's.
But now I know that there are 4 different lamps for the T5 fixtures, thanks!
So I will be going with the 50/50 of each type and then purchase the two others and experiment!
Thanks again