T5 bulb selection help

[Polyp Addict]

I have a 4 bulb t5 fixture. I currently have this for my zoas and palys, I run a pure actinic and a ati blue + for the first 4 hours, the last 6 hours I run 2 ati blue +. THe fixture is currently about 16" high from my water line, my tank is only 9" deep. I only run 2 bulbs at a time because it look like some of the color was fading with all 4 bulbs are on. My question is, I know pure actinic is for looks, but having the other 3 ati blue + be enough and beneficial for growth for the zoas and palys? I do have an ati coral + and an ati purple + I can exchange for the pure actinic.

I old set up was running 2 ati blue + for the first 2 hours, then my other two bulbs would turn on which were the ati purple + and ati blue +, and all 4 bulbs would be running together for 4 hours, then the last 2 hours only my two ati blue + would be on. When I had that set up running, I've noticed that some colors on my zoas and palys were fading a little, was it just too much for them, even though the fixture was about 16" about water line, plus the tank being so shallow only 9" high.

I just want to make sure I'm giving enough lighting to provide growth, not sure that 3 ati blue + and 1 geisemann pure actinic will do that. I feel that my current run time of 2 bulbs at a time will help with the zoas and palys not fading, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[jeremy]

I have never used that combo but should be fine. I had 2 blue plus 1 coral plus and true actinic and all z&p grew and colored fine. But like 3 blue 1 coral. But you only run 2 at a time. So just your color preference.

 

[slate744]

Both of those bulbs are not to be run stand alone. You should be using at least 1 aqua blue special or coral + to promote coral growth. If you go to the brs website and look at the ati bulbs it will tell you everything you need to know about each bulb. I have a 6 bulb on my 90 and I run 2 coral +, 1 purple +, 1 blue+, 1 aquablue special, and 1 true attinic.

 

[JSaquatics]

I agree with slate744 and yes ATI bulbs all the way

 

[Rob&Gab]

you should use all 4 BUlbs at once, just imo. also when we were just a zoa tank in the basement with the 60GDB with a TEK Light 4Bulb we did 2Blue+ & 2Purple+ awesome Growth and color.


Now we are running a 8Bulb Sunpower ATI fixture all 8 Bulbs running threw out the day From 12pm till 6:30pm the Whites and other bulbs are on Then from 630pm till 830pm the Actinics are on.


here is our 8bulb set up.

Blue+
Purple+
Reef Spec Red Sea 22k Actinic
Reef Spec Red Sea 15k Blue/White
Blue+
ATI Actinic
Purple+
Blue+

 

[Rob&Gab]

also we are growing now SPS and ZOA and LPS and RockAnemone and Bubble Tips in the 48x24x12H Fixture is hanging 17" above the water Line.

The Growth we get on our Zoas are amazing and the color is out standing. as well as our SPS and other coral.

 

[kevin32]

I like 3x blue plus and 1x coral plus

 

[Bry]

I like 3x blue plus and 1x coral plus

+1... for 4 bulbs this is my fav combo.

 

[Aquaph8]

Im with Kevin on a four bulb fixture.