Coral Colors under T5

[JSB]

I have a twin T5HO fixture on a 20g sofite tank. It has one 420nm actinic and one 12,000K. To say the least, the colors are blaaah. What is the right color combination lamps to get my reds and greens to pop a little? If I only run the actinic, I do get some glow, but the 12,000k ( and the 10,000k before it) just wash it right out.

 

[creefer]

Try running an ATI blue+ and a purple + and if that's more red than you want, you could use a blue + and GE 6500k or 2 blue + lamps. I would think that the blue + and purple+ combo would give you the pop you want.

 

[JSB]

I will look into that. Thanks.

 

[creefer]

No problem. It's worth playing with a few options until you find what you really like.

 

[JSB]

Yeah, but at $20 a bulb, it is expensive to experiment.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I don't know if this helps, but Dave3112 was using T'5 fixture. The color of his corals in his 125(?) looked very much like the colors under my Phoenix 14K. He told me what they were, but I cannot remember. You might ask him about the mixture he used. If you like the color under Phoenix 14K, you'll love the mix of his T'5 bulbs.

 

[creefer]

Yeah, but at $20 a bulb, it is expensive to experiment.

True fact, but what in this hobby is inexpensive, lol??

 

[JSB]

I don't know if this helps, but Dave3112 was using T'5 fixture. The color of his corals in his 125(?) looked very much like the colors under my Phoenix 14K. He told me what they were, but I cannot remember. You might ask him about the mixture he used. If you like the color under Phoenix 14K, you'll love the mix of his T'5 bulbs.

Thanks Tomoko. I do like your 14kk look. I just texted Dave to ask him.

 

[JSB]

Per Dave3112's advice, and input from creefer, I am going to try a ATI Blue Plus, and an ATI Coral Plus. While Dave was running 12 bulbs, and me only 2, he thinks this is as close to his look as 2 bulbs can get.

 

[creefer]

I'm looking forward to hear what you have to say. I have a coral plus and like it a lot actually.

 

[JSB]

I'm looking forward to hear what you have to say. I have a coral plus and like it a lot actually.

I'll let you know. The bulbs will be here mid-week.

 

[JSB]

We have a winner! The Blue+ and Coral+ bulb combination produces some nice coloration in my zoas which were faded the most. Everything else benefits as well. It really did a good job of bringing out the greens and reds that I was missing. Yes, the tank is blue, but to be honest, it is close to the color I remember in 40' of water along the reef in Turks and Caicos. I personally am a fan of this combo. If you can only choose two, this is it for me.

 

[creefer]

We have a winner! The Blue+ and Coral+ bulb combination produces some nice coloration in my zoas which were faded the most. Everything else benefits as well. It really did a good job of bringing out the greens and reds that I was missing. Yes, the tank is blue, but to be honest, it is close to the color I remember in 40' of water along the reef in Turks and Caicos. I personally am a fan of this combo. If you can only choose two, this is it for me.

Very cool! Congrats. I'm glad to hear that worked out for you.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I am glad that you got some colors back into your system. It's good to know what works. Makes me wanna convert my 29g Oceanic cube to an LED/T5 combo, which seem to be the most sought-after lighting option among Japanese hobbyists.

 

[JSB]

Taken under similar, but less than controlled conditions, this pic shows a side by side of the same area of the tank with 420nm/10,000K on the left and the new Coral+/Blue+ on the right. Both images are un-retouched.Both taken with auto settings on my phone. They both seem reasonably faithful to the actual colors displayed.

 

[creefer]

Wow. What a difference!

 

[shred5]

Find someone that has t-5 near you and check out their combo's or borrow some used lamps. Everyone has a different opinion when it comes to lamps and what they like. As long as you stick with a good lamp manufacturer par should be good enough.

Edit

I see you already got some... looks good.