MH and T5 lighting setup

[Cmarez93]

I’m working on getting new bulbs for a 330 gal deep dimension tank. The fixture is a quad t5 and 3MH bulbs. What would you recommend for good coral growth as well as viewing? I don’t mind a blue tint or a clean white. I was thinking of doing 14K for the MH bulbs, 2 actinic and 2 10k T5. My current setup is 50/50 with actinic and 10k and I feel like I get a yellow tint sometimes.

 

[jda]

What ballasts do you have? Is this a single ended, or double ended fixture?

 

[Cmarez93]

What ballasts do you have? Is this a single ended, or double ended fixture?

I believe it is double ended. This is what the fixture looks like.

 

[jda]

14k Phoenix all the way for the MH bulbs. They are a nice crisp white with awesome pop.

T5s are up to you... I like to use pairs of daylight and actinic, but some people find this too yellow if they like the windex look. Coral Plus and Blue Plus on each side is a popular choice. All Blue Plus might get recommended.

 

[Cmarez93]

14k Phoenix all the way for the MH bulbs. They are a nice crisp white with awesome pop. You

T5s are up to you... I like to use pairs of daylight and actinic, but some people find this too yellow if they like the windex look. Coral Plus and Blue Plus on each side is a popular choice. All Blue Plus might get recommended.

Do you think that the coral plus will give it a pink tone?

 

[jda]

I do not know. It is hard to overpower Metal Halide when everything is running. This is kinda a personal preference thing.

I did like the pinker hue to UVL Super Actinic... made blues, purples and reds look good. Not everybody likes it and the people conditioned to the black-light look or windex water usually are not huge fans of the bulbs.

 

[A. grandis]

The Coral Plus will deliver some purple, yes, but you will see it mostly if you have 2 or more in the combo.
It has about 10% of the purple in it. I've used this bulb for many years and noticed great color reflection and good growth.
It is a good bulb. I do recommend it, specially because there are lots of people that loves purple, but I really didn't like the purple in it after a while. Specially because I've aways used at least 2 of them in my combo.

My suggestion to you is to get the Phoenix 14K halides jda said, and for the T5s...
KZ 10K or new generation (14K)
ATI True actinic
KZ 10K or new generation (14K)
Blue Plus.

If you don't like the True Actinic get another Blue Plus instead.

No Windex, no black light here too! ;Wideyed

The daylight 6500K that jda uses will give you faster growth and possibly stimulate some pigments in SPS.
You could use one of them instead the KZ bulbs listed above. They do show some yellow, but you will have plenty blues going on.
I had them looooong time ago. I'm thinking of using them again next year.

The bulb combo will depend on what you want to keep. I hope you've got some SPS there.

 

[rockskimmerflow]

+1 on the Phoenix hexarc blue 14k HQI lamps. My favorite pairing for those are ATI True Actinic bulbs and a Blue Plus on either side. Also Purple plus or Fiji Pink go really well with a Blue plus on either side too if you like a bit warmer look.

If you're a high noon 10k feel kinda guy then 6500k and purple plus pair on either side is a great choice.

 

[ATI North America]

I agree with the Phoenix recommendation as well, not much else on the market can touch it.

If it was me I would use 2x Blue Plus, 1x AquaBlue Special, 1x Purple Plus. As others have stated, its a matter of personal taste!

 

[DSC reef]

I'd also recommend looking into Hamilton bulbs for the halide as well.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'd also recommend looking into Hamilton bulbs for the halide as well.

Agreed, running a Hamilton 20k right now. Tank looks awesome

 

[biecacka]

Where did you get the fixture from?

Corey

 

[3mm3]

Agreed, running a Hamilton 20k right now. Tank looks awesome

Can you post a picture? I have a bunch of these bulbs stored away. Always wondered what they would look like.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Can you post a picture? I have a bunch of these bulbs stored away. Always wondered what they would look like.

 

[3mm3]

Nice! Thank you!

 

[BoomCorals]

Can you post a picture? I have a bunch of these bulbs stored away. Always wondered what they would look like.

Hamilton changed their bulbs in the past year or so. So you might have older bulbs depending. The new Hamilton 20k looks about identical to radiums.

 

[3mm3]

Hamilton changed their bulbs in the past year or so. So you might have older bulbs depending. The new Hamilton 20k looks about identical to radiums.

I was not aware of that.
Not sure if you can tell what I have but here are two pictures.

 

[BoomCorals]

I was not aware of that.
Not sure if you can tell what I have but here are two pictures.

Looks like the older bulb to me.

 

[3mm3]

Looks like the older bulb to me.

It's all good. It will still grow coral well . Plus they are my backup if 14k phoenix ever dissappear

 

[Cmarez93]

Went ahead and ordered 2 Blue Plus, 1 Coral plus, 1 Purple Plus, and 3x 14K MH bulbs. Pretty excited to get this all setup!