i agree with most of these comments on here i must say. i started with a 14k 150w, in a nano tank, and got pretty good color with great growth. moved up to my 30 breeder, and immediately switched to an old used 4-bulb T5 fixture. even tho the reflectors were made out of what seemed like coca cola cans turned inside out, and there was only one covering all 4 bulbs, it still gave me great color. but without a doubt, i must have tried, and DESPISED, 6,8, maybe 10 diff combos of bulbs. finally i just threw all blue bulbs on there and loved it, and my sps never looked better. til i switched to LEDs recently.
now, i had added a blue reefbrite led strip to my T5 a couple months ago, and it started giving a whole new dimension of color that i never experienced before. but when i fully switched over to LEDs (and RIGHT before i was gonna purchase a nice 6-bulb Tek Elite T5 fixture), the color has been even better, and all my acros seem happy. have i had it for long? no. so i can't say if i will get same growth as i did with halides then T5s. but i know many people who do. but if u wanna stick with your T5s, like everyone said, jus find the right combo. it'll take multiple tries, but it can be done. thats the beauty of T5. mix-n-match however you wanna.
as for the dip, i wholeheartedly agree. i will never take a chance anymore with any SPS, even if it came from a friend who i knew had it for years. i use a light revive mixture, and know that i am gonna drain all the nice color out of it for a little while, but it's worth not having pests. anyway, i hope u can find the bulbs or fixture that works for you, and if u really wanna go back to 250s and VHOs, so be it. some people definitely have switched back, and have loved it, so you do whatever you feel will work. best of luck
i had the t5s like 6" off the water and the frags sitting 6" down in the water... anywho maybe you need to move the lights up??? not sure what set up you have going on....
