T5 lamp suggestions
- Thread starter rugger
- Start date
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50/50 mix of Blue Plus and Coral Plus is a good place to start.
mxnutz
Active Member
I always recommend a true actinic bulb with any combination. If I was running a 4 bulb. This would be my combo.
Blue +
True Actinic
Coral +
Blue +
You can swap out a blue+ for a coral+ if you desire a lesser blue display.
Blue +
True Actinic
Coral +
Blue +
You can swap out a blue+ for a coral+ if you desire a lesser blue display.
OP
OP
rugger
Community Member
So maybe me question should have been should I get coral plus or aqua blue to go with blue plus? And should the blue plus’ go on the outside or middle?
If you are unsure, order 5 so that you can mess around with them. Ultimately, nobody is really going to be able to help you with this since it is so personal. For example, I like pairs of GE 6500k and True Actinics, but I don't recommend these to folks since the current generation of windex-water lovers would hate it.
homer1475
Figuring out the hobby one coral at a time.
Also keep in mind, bulb placement will also determine how the bulbs look to your eyes.
IE,
A blue plus in front will make the tank look bluer then say a coral+ in the front position, but will not change the par, just how our eyes perceive the light.
IE,
A blue plus in front will make the tank look bluer then say a coral+ in the front position, but will not change the par, just how our eyes perceive the light.
I have an 8 bulb t5 with 4 blue plus and 4 aquablue special. I am thinking about changing one blue plus to true actinic and a aquablue special to a 6500 k bulb. If your main goal is providing the best spectrum, get one 6500k for sure. I would suggest an aquablue special and a 6500k in the middle and two blue plus on the outsides.
mxnutz
Active Member
The GE6500k and Aquablue special are great bulbs to grow coral.
I'm not sure what stage your reef tank is at but if it is at the beginning stages. It is a good idea to run a windex looking tank for 18-24 months while your tank matures. We all know nuisance algae and dinos love the whiter/yellow more intense spectrum. This will give your tank a fighting chance to be more successful. Once, your tank has built up enough bacteria/coral density to outcompete the nuisances. You can turn up the whites if that is what makes you happy.
This is not a race to the finish line. Have patience and plan your reef in stages.
I'm not sure what stage your reef tank is at but if it is at the beginning stages. It is a good idea to run a windex looking tank for 18-24 months while your tank matures. We all know nuisance algae and dinos love the whiter/yellow more intense spectrum. This will give your tank a fighting chance to be more successful. Once, your tank has built up enough bacteria/coral density to outcompete the nuisances. You can turn up the whites if that is what makes you happy.
This is not a race to the finish line. Have patience and plan your reef in stages.
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Necessary, no. Useful, yes. I believe that every wave from 350 to 850nm is useful. This is why I choose what I choose. Not everybody is into this, so I don't always recommend what I use. On T5 only tanks, I use pairs of 6500k and True Actinic to get as much of this range as possible - this is frag tanks for me. On my displays, I use MH since they truly do have UV to IR.
The B+/C+ combo is a nice blend of growth, color rendering and color pop. This combo covers a large part of that range.
The B+/C+ combo is a nice blend of growth, color rendering and color pop. This combo covers a large part of that range.
Might have to try a 6500k bulb or two.
I don't care for the purple tint the Actinic bulb gives the tank, but if the corals like it, I'll live with it.
Currently running:
Blue+
Actinic
ABS
Coral +
With an actinic strip up front.
T5's to make the corals happy. Actinic strip is for me. Gives some nice pop without the windex blue look.
I agree with buying extra bulbs and playing with the combination until you find one that you like.
That 2x 6500k + 2x actinic might be really nice with an LED for accent.
I don't care for the purple tint the Actinic bulb gives the tank, but if the corals like it, I'll live with it.
Currently running:
Blue+
Actinic
ABS
Coral +
With an actinic strip up front.
T5's to make the corals happy. Actinic strip is for me. Gives some nice pop without the windex blue look.
I agree with buying extra bulbs and playing with the combination until you find one that you like.
That 2x 6500k + 2x actinic might be really nice with an LED for accent.
OP
OP
rugger
Community Member
I think that’s a didgita, I’m not completely sure though. You may want to start a new post and get more people to look at it.
