mkzimms
Member
on my new 40G breeder project im running two nova extremes T5HO 4x39w each. they cover the whole tank front to back nicely and with 8 bulbs im getting 312w. i was able to get both fixtures for a good prices so i ran with it. i'd like to change the bulbs to get more of the color and effectiveness im looking for. right now i have it setup as show below because thats how i bought them. i only moved the positioning of the bulbs to bring more actinic to the front of the tank to make it not look so washed. the tank will be a mixed reef containing softies, sps, and lps. possibly a clam if they can handle it.
rear fixture:
aquaz ocean pro 20000k (timer 1)
aquaz sun pro 9000k (timer 2)
aquaz ocean pro 20000k (timer 1)
stock nova 10000k (timer 2)
front fixture:
aquaz blue pro 470nm (timer 3)
aquaz plant pro 9000k (timer 4)
aquaz blue pro 470nm (timer 3)
stock nova 10000k (timer 4)
this is the order they come on right now... timer 3, timer 2, timer 1, timer 4
all the bulbs are in pairs of two on the timers so i have a gradual increase / decrease in lighting throughout the day. every other bulb is on one switch so they would have to be paired together to come on at the same time. see timer settings above.
im looking for more of a blue/purple tint to the tank and also to have the colors of my corals really pop. i hate the washed out white/yellow look. i'd like to switch to either ati or giesemann (or a mixture of the two) but i don't know much about their bulbs since they have like 50 different kinds and this is my first time dabbling with T5.
what would you recommend bulb wise for this setup and how would you arrange them?
rear fixture:
aquaz ocean pro 20000k (timer 1)
aquaz sun pro 9000k (timer 2)
aquaz ocean pro 20000k (timer 1)
stock nova 10000k (timer 2)
front fixture:
aquaz blue pro 470nm (timer 3)
aquaz plant pro 9000k (timer 4)
aquaz blue pro 470nm (timer 3)
stock nova 10000k (timer 4)
this is the order they come on right now... timer 3, timer 2, timer 1, timer 4
all the bulbs are in pairs of two on the timers so i have a gradual increase / decrease in lighting throughout the day. every other bulb is on one switch so they would have to be paired together to come on at the same time. see timer settings above.
im looking for more of a blue/purple tint to the tank and also to have the colors of my corals really pop. i hate the washed out white/yellow look. i'd like to switch to either ati or giesemann (or a mixture of the two) but i don't know much about their bulbs since they have like 50 different kinds and this is my first time dabbling with T5.
what would you recommend bulb wise for this setup and how would you arrange them?
