Time to replace bulbs!! Help me.

[JOKER]

Ok so I am running Hamilton 6' Cebu sun over my 7' tank, and love it. I am running the radium 20k with the Hamilton blue T5 right now. I plan to go back with the radium for sure unless something is better. The T5 I want to replace with something else. What recommendations do you have for me? Thanks

 

[rtparty]

What do you want from the T5s? More blue? Pure Actinic pop?

I run the Radium with 2 Blue Plus and 2 ATI Actinic over my tank. I've thought about adding a Purple Plus in place of a Blue Plus to see if I like that a little more.

I've also heard that a 50:50 mix of Coral Plus and actinic looks really good.

 

[A. grandis]

Yeah, you need to tell us more about what you are looking for from the T5s.
Most of the bulb combinations will work great, so...
Grandis.

 

[ChiCity]

For growth... Blue + or Coral +
For looks.... Actinic

 

[DSC reef]

If your having good color and growth then I'd stick with hamilton. Maybe try a different combo, more actinic or more blue. Visually I noticed zero difference between the blue plus compared to the Hamilton 460nm.

 

[A. grandis]

If your having good color and growth then I'd stick with hamilton. Maybe try a different combo, more actinic or more blue. Visually I noticed zero difference between the blue plus compared to the Hamilton 460nm.

Would you please be able to measure the PAR of the Blue Plus and the Hamilton 460nm?
Grandis.

 

[JOKER]

A little more info on tank. It is 16" rimless peninsula tank. Right now I have the light really high above the tank, and it seems to work really well. I will try and get growth pics of some SPS. I am just looking for anything better than what I have. I like the radium, but I am willing to change if something is better. Would the actinic actually help with growth?? The blue help with color, and growth if I am correct??? thanks guys, I just want a happy SPS tank!!

 

[ChiCity]

Would the actinic actually help with growth??!

... not really, it’s more for you.
Probably would be better off with a purple + if that’s the look you want

 

[DSC reef]

Would you please be able to measure the PAR of the Blue Plus and the Hamilton 460nm?
Grandis.

I've never measured par, ever. I've had great results using both bulbs and noticed zero difference in ATI versus Hamilton. I get a better deal on Hamilton so that's what I use

 

[A. grandis]

I've never measured par, ever. I've had great results using both bulbs and noticed zero difference in ATI versus Hamilton. I get a better deal on Hamilton so that's what I use

Me too, I've never measure. I don't have a PAR meter... That's why I ask people about that just for curiosity.
PAR isn't everything IMO.
Thanks anyway.
Aloha,
Grandis.

 

[jda]

I like URI Actinic White for a single T5 bulb - it has a pinker hue and makes the purple, pinks really pop but it has a lot of UV to help the purple and blue too. UVL Actinic White and Super Actinic were staples for years - the T5s are not quite as good as the VHOs were, but still pretty good. If you are looking for different, then give them a shot. They have identical par to the BP and CP that I have.

If you like the color of the Radium, then there is no substitute. If you want more growth, then I would tell you to run Hamilton 10K on the M80s (assume 250W?) and put as many actinics over the tank as you can. The Hammy 10K is not as yellow as most and does pop pretty well, but it really needs some actinics. XM 10K is good on m80 as well. Those are nice 10K bulbs. I used to run these for a year even though people said not to since they were overdriven.

 

[JOKER]

I like URI Actinic White for a single T5 bulb - it has a pinker hue and makes the purple, pinks really pop but it has a lot of UV to help the purple and blue too. UVL Actinic White and Super Actinic were staples for years - the T5s are not quite as good as the VHOs were, but still pretty good. If you are looking for different, then give them a shot. They have identical par to the BP and CP that I have.

If you like the color of the Radium, then there is no substitute. If you want more growth, then I would tell you to run Hamilton 10K on the M80s (assume 250W?) and put as many actinics over the tank as you can. The Hammy 10K is not as yellow as most and does pop pretty well, but it really needs some actinics. XM 10K is good on m80 as well. Those are nice 10K bulbs. I used to run these for a year even though people said not to since they were overdriven.

Oh YES I am running 250 watt radium. I may add some actinic to see what it looks like. I have to replace a ballast for one set of T5 bulbs already.!! Must have been a bad ballast since it doesn't have many hours on it. I only ran those for a month. I eased into the lighting on the tank since it has limited coral. Growing acros great with light 16" above water line on a 16" deep tank.