Pic of your T5 ho bulb setup

[Wiz]

Hey guys. As some of you know I run LEDs on my display tank. Switched from a under-sized T5 about a year-and-a-half two years ago. They have worked great and I have no complaints other than I do not quite like the daytime lighting. The blues are amazing as always but during the day the corals look white and bleached. I have been considering switching back to T5 for a while but have been unsure about the electricity and the heat during the summer.
I found a 48" nova extreme 8-bulb t5ho for $100. Used but in working condition and very decent condition too I might add. pretty sure that was a great deal. I want to compare my current LEDs with that setup. But I want the best-looking bulb selection. I was hoping that you guys might tell me which bulbs you're using and show me the tank. Thanks in advance

 

[LostInTheDark]

I have an 8 x 80 ATI OVER A 225. I use 2 actinic for sunrise/sunset. 3 blue +, 2 purple + and a coral +. It gives the tank a crisp white with a hint of blue. Very natural looking with good color. I had tried an additional blue + in place of the purple but it washed out the colors on the fish.

 

[Wiz]

U have a pic?

 

[mcarroll]

but during the day the corals look white and bleached.

Can you post a pic? That sounds like more than a lighting issue.

Do you need NO3 and/or PO4 at or near zero?

(PM me if you wanna keep this off the thread.)

 

[Wiz]

Nutrients are fine. Corals grow fine and look great at dusk or dawn. The whites are just too white. The glare on top is horrible

 

[Wiz]

All the lps are "white". But after the lights dim it's better. Just doesn't look as nice as my old t5

 

[mcarroll]

Just doesn't look as nice as my old t5

Any pics of that?

Ever measured brightness so you could compare between the old and new fixtures? What did you get?

In case it helps, ATI publishes their "customer favorites" bulb combos on thier Frequently Asked Questions page.

Here's the "20K" recommendation for example (there's more):

8-Bulb combination

• 5 ATI Blue Plus
• 2 ATI Coral Plus
• 1 ATI Purple Plus

BTW, what lights (Brand/model/power) are you actually running in that photo? It looks like a T5 up there, but I see reflections on the T5 housing from what's probably an LED system. If you don't mind, include all current T5 bulbs and LED fixtures.

(Think of this as keeping your thread bumped up until you get more folks with 8xT5 pics they can share!)

 

[Wiz]

Don't have any old pics handy.
Thanks for the link.
And I'm running 2x rr 165p+ and a 48" dual t5 to help the look. Ran just the led for a while. But don't like the whites. T5 is a cheap actinic and a cheap 10k.

 

[mcarroll]

Gotcha....the 10K probably is not helping....a lot of unwanted colors for your predicament.

Is this what you're running?
http://reefradiance.com/store/p242/Closeout_#40_-_DM-165p__like_new.html

They don't have any specifics up....hm

 

[mcarroll]

Look like this?

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?105747-Reef-Radiance-LED

 

[Centerline]

Gotcha....the 10K probably is not helping....a lot of unwanted colors for your predicament.

Is this what you're running?
http://reefradiance.com/store/p242/Closeout_#40_-_DM-165p__like_new.html

They don't have any specifics up....hm

Ya, a bit bright. Good for growth though!

 

[Wiz]

Yes dm 165p+ x2

 

[mcarroll]

I can add that ATI recommends only its Aquablue Special and Coral+ bulbs as "stand alone" bulbs.
http://www.atinorthamerica.com/bulbs.php?tabbedtabs=0

Maybe give one of those a try in place of the 10K? (Do you have a spectrum for the 10K you can compare with the ones on the ATI link?)

 

[haanstang]

Following

 

[Wiz]

No I dont. Sry. But I think the link should be great. Now that I got a t5 cuz it was a steal, I'm a bit scared to switch. Lol

 

[mcarroll]

Is the 10K an ATI or URI or do you know what brand?

 

[LostInTheDark]

U have a pic?

All I have is an Iphone and everything looks blue. Not worth posting. The pic in my profile is when the sun hits the tank.

 

[Wiz]

I was wrong. It is an atI actinic and a fluval life spectrum. But the problem is the leds. They are to bright. The t5 was added to try and fix it. No luck though. Always has the glare on some of the lps

 

[Wiz]

Im going to buy a whole new set for the new fixture. Can't wait to read that link.

 

[Reefs anonymous]

Check it out under bulb combo!
http://www.atinorthamerica.com/faq.php