Going hybrid - What T5 bulbs should I use?

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I have a Reefer 250 with a G6 XR30 Blue. I am adding a Aquatic Life Dx18 dimmable 4 bulb 36 inch that will be controlled by my apex. I have never used a T5 fixture before and was reading up and leaning towards Blue actinic and a blue plus? But I also see people use a purple. The tank is 100% SPS. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

My personal favorite Combo with LEDs is half ATI Blue Plus and half ATI Actinic.

 

[underwaterjr]

It really depends on the color you’re looking for. I am using coral plus with my leds, but I came from the mh days so I like a whiter look. This combo is a very light blue color more to white side. But when t5 go off for the day I get the nice color pop from actinic leds as they wind down. here is a YouTube video showing each color of Ati bulbs

 

[Rp8]

^^this is currently what I run, with good results

 

[ACW33]

It really depends on the color you’re looking for. I am using coral plus with my leds, but I came from the mh days so I like a whiter look. This combo is a very light blue color more to white side. But when t5 go off for the day I get the nice color pop from actinic leds as they wind down. here is a YouTube video showing each color of Ati bulbs

Are there any other controllers besides the Apex that will work with the dimmable T5 Hybrids?

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

Are there any other controllers besides the Apex that will work with the dimmable T5 Hybrids?

Any controller with a 0-10v out should work. Hydros and GHL have 0-10v out.

 

[underwaterjr]

Are there any other controllers besides the Apex that will work with the dimmable T5 Hybrids?

I’m afraid I can’t help you here, mine are non dimmable on a Kasa smart plug.

 

[exnisstech]

I run a 4 bulb (non dimmable) with a photon 32 v2 pro on a reefer 300 using 2 coral + and two blue +. It is a bit white but my acro frags are really starting to take off so they like it. Nice thing about the combo is you can always crank up the blues on the led if you want things to pop. I just have the t5 turn off in the eve for viewing tho I will say I'm starting to appreciate the look of the t5. It's more natural with enough color that it looks good without looking like a neon sign like many tanks I see. JMO

 

[piranhaman00]

I run 50/50 blue plus and aqua blue special

 

[InsaneClownFish]

ATI Blue + x 2
To 1 Aquablue Special
To 1 KZ Fiji Purple or ATI actinic

Alternatively-
ATI Blue + x 3
1 Aquablue Special
1 KZ Fiji Purple
1 ATI Acitinic

Stagger the Aquablue between the blue +

 

[Bpb]

Everyone has an opinion. I prefer a bright daylight appearance and as full of spectrum as I can practically and reasonably achieve. Even if it means some drab reflective colored and muted fluorescence during the bulk of the day. I like it to look real. My vote would be for each bank to have

6500k (maybe a giesemann tropic)
Ati true actinic

If you’re into the deep blue thing this will be very displeasing for you, visually. If you like the natural shallow water snorkeling look, this will be terrific.

If you like a fairly blue daylight look I’d do

Ati blue+
Ati coral+

That’ll be pretty white still
But look more modern reef traditional.

If you’re into the heavy blue thing just do all 4 ati blue+

Honestly the difference between the above will be 90% aesthetic. Growth and health will be comparable across the board all other things considered.

 

[Midrats]

@Bpb I have some Spectralux 65K T5HO bulbs I got at the hort store for a few bucks each. I like the look of them. Do you have any experience with those? I could order some Tropics if these are junk.

 

[jda]

6500k and true actinic have spectrum that your LEDs do not. They can render some color that you might not see otherwise. This might be too yellow for heavy-blue folks, but you can make the panel more blue if you need/want to.

Coral+ and Blue+ in pairs is very well liked when viewing alone. Still good color, whiter with not too much windex and with good pop.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Thank you everyone. I’m thinking I am going to have to try a couple different combos. There should be a bulb renting service, lol.

 

[PeterErc]

I ran 4 blue plus with blue/rb LED diy
If I recall correctly the blue plus have the highest par?

The Mrs loved the blue, corals grew well
Don’t mind the neglected left for dead tank

Everyone has an opinion. I prefer a bright daylight appearance and as full of spectrum as I can practically and reasonably achieve. Even if it means some drab reflective colored and muted fluorescence during the bulk of the day. I like it to look real. My vote would be for each bank to have

6500k (maybe a giesemann tropic)
Ati true actinic

If you’re into the deep blue thing this will be very displeasing for you, visually. If you like the natural shallow water snorkeling look, this will be terrific.

If you like a fairly blue daylight look I’d do

Ati blue+
Ati coral+

That’ll be pretty white still
But look more modern reef traditional.

If you’re into the heavy blue thing just do all 4 ati blue+

Honestly the difference between the above will be 90% aesthetic. Growth and health will be comparable across the board all other things considered.

 

[thedon986]

I followed ATIs recommendation for 16k which is 2 blue plus, 1 coral plus and 1 purple plus. I like it and during peak hours when the T5s are on I have the leds boost the blue.

 

[Bpb]

@Bpb I have some Spectralux 65K T5HO bulbs I got at the hort store for a few bucks each. I like the look of them. Do you have any experience with those? I could order some Tropics if these are junk.

I haven’t used that particular bulb but I cannot imagine it would be much different from most other 6500k tubes. I’d use them until they need changing

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I followed ATIs recommendation for 16k which is 2 blue plus, 1 coral plus and 1 purple plus. I like it and during peak hours when the T5s are on I have the leds boost the blue.

That is one of the combos I am looking at. I’ll be doing a 4 bulb configuration. From front to back, what order do you have the bulbs in?

 

[oreo54]

@Bpb I have some Spectralux 65K T5HO bulbs I got at the hort store for a few bucks each. I like the look of them. Do you have any experience with those? I could order some Tropics if these are junk.

Somebody thinks they are high quality.

Spectralux T5 HO Fluorescent Grow Lamps

These high-quality T5 HO lamps are excellent for all indoor gardening applications. Use the color of your choice for the growth phase of your plants. Mix and match for a full spectrum effect. For use with T5 HO fixtures. Do not use with VHO fixtures.

hydroworlds.com

AFAICT they are just Chinese made t5's. One listed them as "normal CRI" which I found funny.
The tri-phosphor tech has been around for a long time. Would be hard to make a bad bulb..well hopefully.
You want "real" ( )6500k t5's look for any that state "965"
Like these:
Unfortunately min quantity is 5 so it's like $93 plus shipping.
https://www.adlsupply.com/fluorescent-bulbs/fluorescent-t5-bulbs/osram-fq-54w-965-ho/
90CRI..

Any 865 would do also, GE, Osram, Phillips.
80CRI
Again need to buy 5 but thats only $37.85
Looks like they are labelled made in
Hungary..
Ran the shipping and tax thing and 5 bulbs = $50-ish
Actually a fair price.

GE F54W/T5/865/ECO 54W 6500K 4 FT T5 Fluorescent Bulb | HO | G5 Bi-Pin

Buy GE F54W/T5/865/ECO 54W 6500K 4 FT T5 fluorescent bulb with G5 Miniature Bi-Pin. Sold 10/case

www.adlsupply.com

NOTE: I have no idea of the vendors err "quality"..

Anyways another good bulb.. Actually lists85CRI.
Phillips.

F54T5/865/HO/ALTO​

Can't find singles but some local may have some.

 

[MIke Wood]

In my non dimmable t5 hybrid i run 2 blue +, 1 actinic, and 1 super purple. the purple balances out the green in the blue plus so things dont look as flat.