Think of trying to add some more pop. Will adding LED make a difference?

[Jeremy Luke]

My current tank has been running for almost a year now. It's dimensions are about 48Lx32Wx20H. I am using the 48" Giesemann Spectra light fixture. In the fixture I currently have two 250w Radium Halides driven by Lumentek 250w electronic ballasts set on Superlumens and 4 54w ATI Blue+ bulbs. The coral are happy but I was thinking of adding some 450nm LED to get some more pop. I was looking at the 48" Reef Breeder Lumenbars which output 50w. I would mount one to each side of the Giesemann fixture to add 100w of 450nm LED. Does anyone know if I would see a difference in fluorescence with all bulbs on? If I did this I was thinking I might change out the Blue+ bulbs for Actinic ones also.

 

[Finhead]

Yes it will add to the flourescence of your corals, but the Sbar would be better since it has the Violet as well. Adding Actinic will also add more "pop".
https://sbreeflights.com/sbar-supplimental-lights/18-sbar-supplemental-5050-bar-lights.html

 

[Jeremy Luke]

Yes it will add to the flourescence of your corals, but the Sbar would be better since it has the Violet as well. Adding Actinic will also add more "pop".
https://sbreeflights.com/sbar-supplimental-lights/18-sbar-supplemental-5050-bar-lights.html

Thanks!

 

[jda]

Change out your blue plus to a pair of GE 6500K and True Actinic - one of each on both sides. The 6500K will bring out some colors that other bulbs cannot. The actinic will as well... in the purple/blue area. Get an actinic that is heavy below 420nm - UVL Super Actinic is great at this. You should see some results in four to six weeks.

 

[mtraylor]

Save yourself some money and change all the blues out for T5 True Actinic 03. You wont regret it. Also the 6500K mentioned above will help you bring out pinks etc that you cant get right now real well. Don't waste money on the lED's since you can just change a bulb out to get what you want. Play around with the config you want. As stated above it will take several months for the pigment of the corals to change for you to see a difference.

 

[Jeremy Luke]

Thanks mtaylor. I will try switching out all T5s to the True Actinic bulbs first.

 

[MJNTWise]

I added 2 50/50 reefbrites to my T5s and love the look.....I run 4 Blus plus and 1 purple plus t5s ....

 

[madweazl]

Thanks mtaylor. I will try switching out all T5s to the True Actinic bulbs first.

The actinics enhance the blues and greens but don't usually do a lot for the oranges and reds. The 6500k recommendation above help bring those out.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Blue, pink, mauve, and red non-fluorescent proteins will be showcased by full spectrum light. For fluorescence, lamps producing 470nm are the universal excitation source for those proteins (except, of course, those with emissions below 470nm - not all that many.) I personally prefer LED luminaires with spectral tuning capabilities but, as mentioned, it is a personal choice.