T5 Lighting Help Please

[ReefGeezer]

Hi all. I have a 48" Sun Power T5 8X fixture over my one year old 90 gallon. I love it. Tons of light potential, no shadows, programmable, and simple to use. I haven't paid much attention to the bulb mix as the tank has been mostly fish while it was going through its ugly stage. That appears to be over. I currently have 6 Blue Plus and 2 Purple Plus running @ around 30%. Now I want to turn up the power and start stocking corals. I bought the fixture used about 8 months ago. The owner swore the bulbs were less than 3 months old. I'm looking to hit the reset on bulb life now, so it's time to buy new. I'm looking for a bulb mixture that will yield good color rendition and PUR for a mixed reef without being too blue. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Bpb]

Personal preferences always will win here. Mine would be
5 - blue+
2 - 6500k (giesemann or GE)
1 - true actinic

Front of tank
Blue+
Blue+
Actinic
6500k
Blue+
Blue+
6500k
Blue+

 

[shwareefer]

Best ATI Bulb Combinations for Your 8 Bulb Fixture - ATI North America

It’s easy to spend hours deciding which T5 bulbs to use over your tank. It’s challenging to visualize how your combination of bulbs will look in your fixture. While a lot of aquarium lighting is based on personal preference, here’s a general guide to help you select bulbs for your 8 bulb...

www.atinorthamerica.com

 

[nereefpat]

Sounds like you will use ATI bulbs?

If the B+/P+ combo is too blue for you, sub in Coral+. A popular recommendation is just to use half and half B+ and C+.

The Purple+ works well to pair with B+, because B+ can look a bit greenish and the P+ balances that out. Coral+ is more of a 10-14K bulb, so a broader spectrum but not near as 'daylight' as a daylight bulb.

For my 6 bulb, I usually run 4 B+ & 2 C+. In a 8 bulb, I might mix in an Actinic and/or Purple...if using that brand.

 

[ReefGeezer]

Thanks all. I have a bunch of partially used bulbs laying around so I played with them this weekend. I ended up with this combination:
Front
Blue+
Coral+
Purple +
Blue+

Super Actinic
Blue+

 

[ReefGeezer]

OOPS!

Front
Blue+
Coral+
Purple+
Blue+
Blue+
Super Actinic
Blue+
Blue+

 

[Midrats]

I like:

C+
B+
O3
C+
B+
O3
C+
B+

I'm about ready to buy new bulbs soon and I may try three O3, three B+, and a couple of the 65Ks Bpb raves about on channel 1. The Tropics have been out of stock for a while now. I do like my current configuration though. O3 dawn and dusk is like an old dog to me.

 

[nereefpat]

I like:

C+
B+
O3
C+
B+
O3
C+
B+

I'm about ready to buy new bulbs soon and I may try three O3, three B+, and a couple of the 65Ks Bpb raves about on channel 1. The Tropics have been out of stock for a while now. I do like my current configuration though. O3 dawn and dusk is like an old dog to me.

I'm feeling dumb. What's an O3?

 

[Midrats]

I'm feeling dumb. What's an O3?

Actinic O3.

 

[nereefpat]

Actinic O3.

Gotcha.

 

[Midrats]

Gotcha.

I wish I could elaborate but I don't know why bulbs that peak at 420nm are called O3s. Back in the day all blue bulbs were referred to as "actinics" so I always say O3 to differentiate between violet and blue bulbs. Calling all light gurus. Anyone know what O3 stands for? @jda

 

[oreo54]

I wish I could elaborate but I don't know why bulbs that peak at 420nm are called O3s. Back in the day all blue bulbs were referred to as "actinics" so I always say O3 to differentiate between violet and blue bulbs. Calling all light gurus. Anyone know what O3 stands for? @jda

Possibly related to ozone splitting wavelengths..

 

[Hugster78]

This is what I run with OR3 B+. SPS love it