T5 fixture height and bulb selection

[Studjunior]

I have the 60" Tek 8 bulb over my 150g tank (5*2*2) and was just wondering how high off the water are people keeping there T5s. Right now my fixture is 5 inches from the water surface. I have been getting great growth for the most part but I feel like some of my colors aren't as vibrant as I would like them to be. Any pointers on getting my colors to really brighten up would be great as well.

I have the following bulb configuration from front to back:

ATI blue Plus
ATI blue plus
ATI purple plus
ATI Coral plus
KZ new Generation
ATI aquablue Special
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue plus

I had a 4th blue plus in place of one of the aquablue but had a problem with the bulb and had to take it out. What bulb configuration are ppl using???

Thanks,

 

[Loki]

everything looks about right.

I am running all blue plus on my tank. I have an 8 bulb fixture that I cant seem to get one of the ballast to work. So, that leaves me with 6 bulbs. I only run 4 of them and they are all the Blue Plus bulbs. I checked my par today and it is lower than I want it.

Hopefully I will get the 8 bulb Tek light that a local reefer is selling.

 

[Dowtish]

I would say you have them too close. Can you raise the fixture at all?

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

Yeah 5" is to close. You probably have to clean salt creep off of it a lot I would think. What coral are not coloring up because you could be burning them. Ati bulbs can put out some pars from what I have read.

 

[Studjunior]

I can probably raise the fixture a couple of inches. I think that would also help with some of the heat issues I'm having as I think the close proximity to the water is creating too much heat. I think I'm also going to change out a couple of the Aquablue special bulbs to the Blue plus bulbs and see if I get better color with that.

 

[FaviaFreak]

I'm sure opinions will vary but I would raise them 8-10"

how long is your photoperiod?

 

[Reefing8EZ]

Too many daylight bulbs = washed out colors.. IMO.
You have 5 daylight and 3 actinic bulbs.
Try this
F to B
Blue+
Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
Blue+
Aquablue Spec
Blue+
Blue+

 

[Studjunior]

I'm sure opinions will vary but I would raise them 8-10"

how long is your photoperiod?

The front 2 and back 2 bulbs turn on at 3:45PM and shut off at 12:00AM
The remaining bulbs turn on at 4:30PM and shut off at 11:15 PM

I'm going to raise the fixture tonight as well as change out the auqublue special to blue plus. My wife doesn't like the tank too blue so I will have to balance that as well :bigsmile:......