180G SPS Tank Lighting

[Johnson556]

Hi All,

I'm in the midst of upgrading to a 180 that will be predominately SPS.

The tank is a standard 180, 72" x 24" x 24". I just finished building the canopy for it and will be installing the six 80W T5's and 3 Kessil A360WE. I'm a sucker for the shimmer.

My question is, what is everyone's opinion on bulb selection. As of now I have 4 ATI Blue Plus and 2 ATI Coral Plus. I figured I can manipulate the amount of white in the tank with the Kessils.

What do you guys think, excellent bulb choice for SPS growth and coloration or should I make a swap?

 

[mcarroll]

Replace the T5's with an equal dollar amount of Kessils to get the spread you may be hoping for. Alternately, change the 360's for AP700's....should be able to fit two or three into the same budget as your current proposal. @bif24701 (among others) has a setup like this if I recall correctly.

(Waiting to see some bulb suggestions.)

 

[Rakie]

I would suggest 3B+, 2C+, 1ABS. You'll have all the blue and actinic you'll want from the kessils. The warm white from the ABS is invaluable.

Otherwise I'd say 3B+, 3C+

 

[bif24701]

Replace the T5's with an equal dollar amount of Kessils to get the spread you may be hoping for. Alternately, change the 360's for AP700's....should be able to fit two or three into the same budget as your current proposal. @bif24701 (among others) has a setup like this if I recall correctly.

(Waiting to see some bulb suggestions.)

I run just two 80w ATI Blue Plus bulbs, matches the color of the Kessil AP700 almost identically. Each of my Kessils. Cover a 36x24x24 area and I get 300-350 at least on the sand with the added T5s.

 

[bked180]

I initially set up my 180 with (4) kessil a360w's and (2) 80 watt t-5 bulbs and was surprised at how much shimmer was lost with the addition of the t-5 bulbs. The Kessil's were at 50%. I now run (4) 80 watt t-5 bulbs and a 60" reefbrite xho actinic fixture and really like the combo. My sps like it too.

 

[Reefer40b]

Hi All,

I'm in the midst of upgrading to a 180 that will be predominately SPS.

The tank is a standard 180, 72" x 24" x 24". I just finished building the canopy for it and will be installing the six 80W T5's and 3 Kessil A360WE. I'm a sucker for the shimmer.

My question is, what is everyone's opinion on bulb selection. As of now I have 4 ATI Blue Plus and 2 ATI Coral Plus. I figured I can manipulate the amount of white in the tank with the Kessils.

What do you guys think, excellent bulb choice for SPS growth and coloration or should I make a swap?

I think if you are just adding the kessils for the shimmer then its a bad idea Im sure those T5's are going to wash that shimmer right out. I would say running 3B+ and 3 C+ is a good choice though

 

[jda]

Let the Kessils handle the blue - they are better at this. Do the white with the T5s - they are better at this. I always like to mix in a 10K or 6500k into my T5 mix... especially the T5 brings out better colors that only daylight bulbs can... but you need to illuminate them with bluer light.