New T5 light owner

[Simon Fraser]

I recently (3 weeks ago) got a new 3 tube T5 lighting system in the hope it would do a better job than the cheap LED light we had for our couple of Zoa corals.

It came with a blue tube and 2 x 6500k white lights.
Much to my dismay the corals are still closed over and not really thriving, I do not believe water params are the issue, so am looking at a potential new bulb purchase, would anyone be able to recommend bulbs that are good for corals.

Thanks

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

How high over the tank is the fixture?

Over here we use a lot of ATI tubes. coral plus and blue plus is a standard. Geismann may be more accessible for you not sure. Im afraid im not familiar enough them to recommend a good combo.

 

[Simon Fraser]

It's tank mounted and sits 4" above the water. My LFS sells ATI equipment so they may have the tubes.
I was looking at new whites around the 10000k mark, though an aqua one (sunlight) that I saw in the LFS states 14000k.

Am I on the right track?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

yea you are. sun is 6500 and add a blue tube to it and its in the 14,000k.

the ati C+ is considered "white" by most so its confusing. The c+ is actually 15000k.

Its quite possible the tubes you have just don't have the best spectrum or output intensity.

Before you spend too much make sure the fixture is HO or VHO.

ATIs most common combo is C=+ and B+. if you want a more blue look 2 B+ on C+. a warmer look 2 C+ 1 B+. both combos work great and grow coral.