T5's - Blue Bulbs

[BfishLpond78]

I currently have an 8 bulb tek light over a Deep Blue 80 gallon shallo tank, it is currently hung about 14 inches above the rim of the tank, another 2 inches to the water.

I am wondering if it is too much light? I currently have 5 ATI B+'s, 1 coral +, 1 P+ and one AB Special. I was thinking of switching to 6 B+'s and 2 Coral +'s to acheive a bit of a bluer look as my buddy runs this same setup and gets unbelievable growth with just regular water changes.

I know B+'s are the best of both worlds with color and par values, is there a bluer T5 bulb like a super actinic? or should i just try my configuration and do some sort of LED supplementation?

 

[RedReefer]

Blue+ are the most blue ATI bulbs. Try you configuration listed for a more blue look. The ATI True Actinic look kind of purple to the eye. If you want to drop the par add a actinic in the mix. Par on blue+ are 300 plus and the true actinic are 100 plus. I don't think your par is too high your fixture at least 14" off the water. How long have you been running your current fixture ?

 

[BfishLpond78]

I have been running the fixture for about 4 months on this current system, I am not apposed to going outside of ATI for a good bulb. I get decent growth on the SPS, zoas do fine but some are not liking all the light, have to shade them. Just looking for a nice crisp blue look.

 

[RedReefer]

I went from LED lighting back to 6 bulb ATI fixture and everything coral is colored great and growing. Except my chalice don't have the color they had under LEDS, but I think I burned them a little with the ATI fixture. Sorry I've only used ATI bulbs so I can't give you advice on other brands. Post a tank pic I bet that 80 looks good!

 

[jeremy]

Definately try other combo aqua blue special makes tank pretty white. I used to run 6 blue plus a purple plus and coral plus and had great color and growth. But switched to all sps and running aquablue purple plus coral plus and 5 blue plus I get better growth now. But thinking of changin out purple plus for another blue plus. I guess its all kinda what u like.

 

[BfishLpond78]

Here is a quick iPhone picture

 

[BfishLpond78]

Please dont mind the frags scattered on the sandbed, trying to get rid of those and clean everything up. Tank is about 4 months old right now.

 

[Dowtish]

get rid of the aquablue special, and try what you are thinking. The blue look you are looking for will definitely be there, but your PAR will still be high and your zoas will just have to adjust, and they will. If you continue to have unhappy zoas, it more than likely wont be your light. It will be some other parameter.