looking to make coral pop. lighting help..

[fireman23]

I am currently running 2 ushio 10k 175w metal halides end 2 420nm t5 actinics. I don't get hardly any color from corals. What would one suggest as far as making colors pop? Want to stay with the halide/t5 combo. Thanks

 

[pickupman66]

Fireman,

what size tank? one thing that some are doing is adding in some actinic blue LED's to boost the color visually. the 10k halides are most likley washing out the t-5's. Before swapping to full LED on my system, I ran 14k halides with t-5's and now that I have the LED's there is a better pop to my colors. AC had some really nice strips and even some T-5 sized LED tubes....

 

[Aqua fire/medic]

What's up fireman..... If you switch out the halide bulb to something in the 14-17k range you will get better coral pop. If not, maybe supplement with one or two led strips.

 

[fireman23]

Thanks guys. The tank is 110rr. It's 30 in. tall. Do the 14k and t5 mqke a significant change as far as color pop? Also what is a good t5 bulb? Color wise?

 

[Surf&turf]

I just added the ATI Coral plus. Love it.

 

[pickupman66]

I used ths Coral Wave T-5 bulbs. those did really good for me. and Yes, swapping to a 14k Halide will also make a difference. the lower spectrums like the 10k's are good for getting faster growth but dont pop the colors. the more blue you go the more color pop, but may not have as fast of coral growth. I ran 20k Halides on my tank and loved them. they were the cheaper bulbs and once burned in, they were about 14-16k.

here is my 180 with the 20k bulbs I spoke about.

and a fairly current shot with my LED's. I shoot these in RAW format so when I pull it in to photoshop, I set the white balance to 14,000k.

 

[fireman23]

Thanks pickupman. I can see the difference. Big difference. If I were to take the led strip route what and how many strips would you recommend? With the 14k bulbs?

 

[fireman23]

Surf&turf, are you running halides as well?

 

[pickupman66]

given the fact that I have never used them, I would try a single 4ft strip over your 110. if that is not enough, add in another to get it to your liking. Heck, you may like the 14k bulbs by themselves. I liked mine with the 14k's. in the summer, I didnt even run my t-5's when the halides were on to help with the heat. that said, I am really loving my LED's so far.

I have never really been a fan of the looks of a true 20k tank. always seemed too blue to me.

 

[fireman23]

Yeah 20k is to blue for my liking as well. Leds are an idea I'm tossing around. I do like the looks of led

 

[Surf&turf]

Surf&turf, are you running halides as well?

yes, 2 Blue +, 2 Coral +, and 2 150 watt Hamilton 14K MH

Blackberry pic, not to bad.

 

[fireman23]

That looks good.

 

[fireman23]

Pickup, how does one determine how many leds to use on tank? What colors? Etc..

 

[ironworker]

The true lumen pro strip led is very bright I have one.

 

[Dowtish]

The true lumen pro strip led is very bright I have one.

I do as well. This would be a perfect supplement to your halides.

 

[Surf&turf]

That looks good.

Thanks!

 

[gmoney243]

I would just go for 14k-20k halides and use ati blue plus bulbs and you'll get great colors and wont have to add extra stuff. But if u wanna spend the money LEDs are the way to go. Going LED instead of halides will save you lots of money also. You saw my tank with full LED I run it about 20k look.

Side note Bart uses only 12k halides and has nice color

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[fireman23]

Yeah Mike your tank looks good in person. I think I will try the 14k and led strips or different t5

 

[gmoney243]

Make sure u come nxt month meeting to see barts sps tank running only 12k no t5 or led.

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