SB Reeflights- 50/50 vs Actinics

DracoKat · Oct 10, 2016

SB Reeflights- 50/50 vs Actinics

Which is better for mixed reef tank? The website is contracting on both their LED SBar pages

I have 4-bulb T5's (2 Blue+, purple+, Coral+) if it makes a difference. I want to add a supplemental LED bar

With their sale, i am ready to buy, but just need to know which is better.

please and thank you!

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 10, 2016

chose them the same way you choose tubes. to get an overall color. im not a huge blue tank guy, id go 50/50 with your t5 combo. unless you are looking for am and pm "glow show" (like I do

) then go actinic.

i cant get the SB page to open. weird.

DracoKat · Oct 10, 2016

SB page was slow for me moments ago too.

I notified SB that the two bars contracts each other with the lighting info, so hopefully they'll correct it!

I got a response via Facebook that actinics is better for coral growth, so I went with that one. I figure if it's too much blue, I can change one or two of the T5 bulbs to more white.

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 10, 2016

DracoKat said:
SB page was slow for me moments ago too.

I notified SB that the two bars contracts each other with the lighting info, so hopefully they'll correct it!

I got a response via Facebook that actinics is better for coral growth, so I went with that one. I figure if it's too much blue, I can change one or two of the T5 bulbs to more white.

good plan. youll probably like the am pm pop too...
the actinic thing could be argued. not today though

nice combo you picked btw. should be awesome.

DracoKat · Oct 10, 2016

I hope so! I decided one one bar for now. Later on if I want more oomph in lighting, I can get a second bar

taj0930 · Jan 7, 2017

DracoKat said:
I hope so! I decided one one bar for now. Later on if I want more oomph in lighting, I can get a second bar

How'd you'd end up liking the bar? These things dimmable?

DracoKat · Jan 7, 2017

taj0930 said:
How'd you'd end up liking the bar? These things dimmable?

My corals love it, I've noticed more growth- especially with my acros. Next time I change my T5's, I am going to go with one less blue light since now I feel the tank has too much blue.

It's not dimmable, no

and I still can't figure out how to hook it to my current T5 fixture.

taj0930 · Jan 7, 2017

DracoKat said:
My corals love it, I've noticed more growth- especially with my acros. Next time I change my T5's, I am going to go with one less blue light since now I feel the tank has too much blue.

It's not dimmable, no

and I still can't figure out how to hook it to my current T5 fixture.

Do you find it too strong not being dimmable? How tall is your tank?

DracoKat · Jan 7, 2017

it's 21" deep, standard 75g marineland reef ready tank.

I don't think it's too strong. then again, I am still somewhat a newbie when it comes to lighting. everything seems to be happy in my tank, so I am judging by that.

DracoKat · Jan 7, 2017

it's 21" deep, standard 75g marineland reef ready tank.

I don't think it's too strong. then again, I am still somewhat a newbie when it comes to lighting. everything seems to be happy in my tank, so I am judging by that.

DracoKat · Jan 7, 2017

woah, didn't mean to duplicate that post!

If you are worried about it not being dimmable, you can raise it up and lower as needed- depending on your set up. mine is about 3 inches from the water surface due to lack of ability to mount. Eventually I'll get a canopy to mount it properly

taj0930 · Jan 7, 2017

Hm yeah I just ordered 1 on impulse my tank is shallow 12" I'm just hopeful it's not too strong. I'm only doing soft corals

DracoKat · Jan 7, 2017

do you have other lights with it? I have t5's on mine.. without the bulbs, it may be too weak for my tank. 12" may be OK, I guess?

@saltyfilmfolks may have a better response to that

taj0930 · Jan 7, 2017

It's a 4 bulb t5 - 36". I got a 24" bar just to put some pop towards the middle of the tank where the corals will b

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 7, 2017

DracoKat said:
@saltyfilmfolks may have a better response to that

thats whet she said.

Yea lame response right?

DracoKat · Jan 7, 2017

give it a shot! You can always raise it up or buffer it somehow if you feel its too strong. I think it'll be fine.

and salty- lame. right. lol

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 7, 2017

DracoKat said:
do you have other lights with it? I have t5's on mine.. without the bulbs, it may be too weak for my tank. 12" may be OK, I guess?

@saltyfilmfolks may have a better response to that

taj0930 said:
It's a 4 bulb t5 - 36". I got a 24" bar just to put some pop towards the middle of the tank where the corals will b

Bad jokes aside, (sorry draco

) Id have to meter the light to say, but it def wont hurt.
A quick test would be if the light looks and appears MUCH brighter than the t5s lower the intensity. if it just adds pop or just a taste more than pop its prob fine.