T5 bulbs?

[Theo15]

Are actinic t5 bulbs beneficial to a reef tank ,not just for color but do they support growth ?

 

[40B Knasty]

The ATI True Actinic is arguably one of the best bulbs on the market. Chlorophyll A&B are huge in the spectrum of the 400nM-450nM(nanometer) which is a major role in the health and growth of corals. True Actinic peaks at 430nM.
Don't get me wrong it does leave a ugly purple line down the middle of the LR, but it has been amazing for me for my peak hours of feeding the zooxanthellae at 10pm&5pm.

 

[Theo15]

The ATI True Actinic is arguably one of the best bulbs on the market. Chlorophyll A&B are huge in the spectrum of the 400nM-450nM(nanometer) which is a major role in the health and growth of corals. True Actinic peaks at 430nM.
Don't get me wrong it does leave a ugly purple line down the middle of the LR, but it has been amazing for me for my peak hours of feeding the zooxanthellae at 10pm&5pm.

I'm testing these bulbs now , I have a 4 bulb fixture , two blue plus and two actinic , I want to see if colors and growth improve , the tank isn't as dark as I thought it would be

 

[40B Knasty]

I can help you with some result pics. Use Reefroids 2x a week half dose.
Dec 2016

Last week

Last month

 

[Theo15]

I can help you with some result pics. Use Reefroids 2x a week half dose.
Dec 2016

Last week

Last month

Cool ,do you have any SPS ?

 

[40B Knasty]

Posted the wrong first pic

 

[40B Knasty]

Cool ,do you have any SPS ?

Na sticks are not my thing. They are two fragile and demanding. The light I have are Blue+, Coral+, Blue+, True Actinic.

 

[40B Knasty]

I'm testing these bulbs now , I have a 4 bulb fixture , two blue plus and two actinic , I want to see if colors and growth improve , the tank isn't as dark as I thought it would be

What fixture do you have. I have a JBJ Trinity 4x39w

 

[Theo15]

Na sticks are not my thing. They are two fragile and demanding. The light I have are Blue+, Coral+, Blue+, True Actinic.

I have a mixed reef ,I'm trying to see if it helps ,actinic blue+ blue+ actinic

 

[Theo15]

What fixture do you have. I have a JBJ Trinity 4x39w

4 bulb oddesey I think that's the brand ,I don't want to spend 100's on lights , but these work pretty good

 

[40B Knasty]

Do you run all 4 at the same time?
I have a 40 Breeder so the tank is not as deep as yours it seems.Kind of a little overkill actually, but plays into a benefit.
I seen a video from BRS that said the peak hours for zooxanthellae feeding is at 10am&5pm. So I run the 2xB+ from 9am-7:30pm. With peak hours of lighting at 9:15am-11:15am & 4pm-6pm. That is what really made the difference. Gave me that extra 2-3 polyps on top of getting 2-3 polyps from feeding Reefroids at 5pm 2x a week.

 

[40B Knasty]

4 bulb oddesey I think that's the brand ,I don't want to spend 100's on lights , but these work pretty good

I am the same way. The JBJ was $220. You dont need an expensive fixture. You just need the right bulbs in the fixture.

 

[Theo15]

To be totally honest, I don't get that technical with my tank , I want it as simple as possible , I have a 50 gallon, yes I run the lights both at the same time , from 7am to 5pm everyday ,I do water changes once a month and I have no sump just a canister filter ,I just watch my feedings and have a good skimmer , I've gotten good growth but I wanted to try a different bulb

 

[Theo15]

I am the same way. The JBJ was $220. You dont need an expensive fixture. You just need the right bulbs in the fixture.

I was going to get a plant growth light at first but it didn't have a splash gaurd, thoes fixtures are cheap!

 

[40B Knasty]

To be totally honest, I don't get that technical with my tank , I want it as simple as possible , I have a 50 gallon, yes I run the lights both at the same time , from 7am to 5pm everyday ,I do water changes once a month and I have no sump just a canister filter ,I just watch my feedings and have a good skimmer , I've gotten good growth but I wanted to try a different bulb

I am all set with a sump also. Just another tank to clean. I have some green hair algae that is being a pain. Took someone's bad advice by using a toothbrush to scrub my LR. Didn't realize the GHA are like aiptasia and end up loading a tank up with spores. Trying to find that balance for everything to run smoothly. Checkout my tank on YouTube 40B Knasty. I am going to get a product and try it out called Continuum Aquatics Bacter Clean-M

 

[Theo15]

I am all set with a sump also. Just another tank to clean. I have some green hair algae that is being a pain. Took someone's bad advice by using a toothbrush to scrub my LR. Didn't realize the GHA are like aiptasia and end up loading a tank up with spores. Trying to find that balance for everything to run smoothly. Checkout my tank on YouTube 40B Knasty. I am going to get a product and try it out called Continuum Aquatics Bacter Clean-M

I try not to use too many chemicals for nutrients , I had the same problem , I used turbo snails and hermit crabs, they cleared it all up

 

[Theo15]

I try not to use too many chemicals for nutrients , I had the same problem , I used turbo snails and hermit crabs, they cleared it all up

Cool tank btw, I cant do shrimp ,my wrasses will eat them , also if you get a blenny they can help with alge issues

 

[40B Knasty]

Cool tank btw, I cant do shrimp ,my wrasses will eat them , also if you get a blenny they can help with alge issues

I would like to get a blenny, but I feel as though I am done rolling the dice for dodging velvet. I have a Randall's Prawn Goby who is supposed to be "peaceful," but he is a straight up jerk face. Plus my grammica lined dart fish has his home and feel as though a blenny would try to take it. He is my gem in the tank. Like to keep him happy.

 

[Theo15]

I would like to get a blenny, but I feel as though I am done rolling the dice for dodging velvet. I have a Randall's Prawn Goby who is supposed to be "peaceful," but he is a straight up jerk face. Plus my grammica lined dart fish has his home and feel as though a blenny would try to take it. He is my gem in the tank. Like to keep him happy.

Yea I understand ,there is always that risk ,the worst I've had was ick , how old is your tank ?

 

[40B Knasty]

I had a 20g with 6 fish, corals, and inverts for about 11 months. Then transferred it all over to a 40B in January. I had aiptasia and I wanted to get rid of it. So I bought 20lbs of LR and the 40B when Petco had their sale. End of January it was all cycled and transferred everything over except the aiptasia LR. Took the 22lbs of LR from the 20g and dropped a nuke on it. No more aiptasia and I am happy now!