What T5 bulbs are best for viewing?

[infinite0180]

Ok experienced lighting gurus, listen up!

I need some help deciding on what bulbs look the best for viewing my tank. Im running a MH that is doing all the full spectrum lighting and heavy par lifting. I want to know what you find the best 4 bulb combo for viewing before and after my halide is on. Right now im running 2 b+ and 2 c+ because thats what i was running before i went to the hybrid halide fixture. This seems like a great combo for growth and color but im wondering if i could get a better combo for viewing the tank. Let me know what you think!

 

[GoVols]

Ok experienced lighting gurus, listen up!

I need some help deciding on what bulbs look the best for viewing my tank. Im running a MH that is doing all the full spectrum lighting and heavy par lifting. I want to know what you find the best 4 bulb combo for viewing before and after my halide is on. Right now im running 2 b+ and 2 c+ because thats what i was running before i went to the hybrid halide fixture. This seems like a great combo for growth and color but im wondering if i could get a better combo for viewing the tank. Let me know what you think!

I'd keep your 2 b +s in your mix.

Try one KZ Genii bulb in your mix replacing one of your C+ bulbs.
You'll love the Gen ii bulb.

Coral Light II New Generation T5 Lamp

T5 high-performance tube. Long lasting bulbs with high-quality German Engineering. T5 Coral Light II New Generation from Korallen-Zucht makes an excellent mix of colors when used in conjunction with Fiji Purple and Super Blue. Blend of blue and white light 14,000K Sizes available 24W - 24"...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

If you want more actinic ( UV Pop) get a Giesemann Super Actinic T5 repacing the other C +

Super Actinic T5

Very Strong White/Violet, Pure Actinic Spectrum Increases the fluorescence effect of coral and shells Very long color stability through quality phosphors Reinforcement of all colors in fish and corals Pure actinic light spectrum Promotes coral growth Amazing effects...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[infinite0180]

I'd keep your 2 b +s in your mix.

Try one KZ Genii bulb in your mix replacing one of your C+ bulbs.
You'll love the Gen ii bulb.

Coral Light II New Generation T5 Lamp

T5 high-performance tube. Long lasting bulbs with high-quality German Engineering. T5 Coral Light II New Generation from Korallen-Zucht makes an excellent mix of colors when used in conjunction with Fiji Purple and Super Blue. Blend of blue and white light 14,000K Sizes available 24W - 24"...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

If you want more actinic ( UV Pop) get a Giesemann Super Actinic T5 repacing the other C +

Super Actinic T5

Very Strong White/Violet, Pure Actinic Spectrum Increases the fluorescence effect of coral and shells Very long color stability through quality phosphors Reinforcement of all colors in fish and corals Pure actinic light spectrum Promotes coral growth Amazing effects...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Do you prefer KZ and Giesemann bulbs over most of the ATI bulbs? KZ are certainly more expensive but thats really not an issue here, although ATI bulbs went on sale today...

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Im running giessman
2 aquablue
2 blue+
2 purple+
Tropic
Super actinic

 

[GoVols]

Do you prefer KZ and Giesemann bulbs over most of the ATI bulbs? KZ are certainly more expensive but thats really not an issue here, although ATI bulbs went on sale today...

Well,
That KZ Gen ii is the best full daylight bulb I've ever used. There's some kind of magic with its color spectrum with no washout.

For a true blueish Acitinc look those G-Manns Super Actinic bulbs are better than ATI's True actinic bulbs.

JMO...

Good Luck!!

 

[WIReefer]

Well,
That KZ Gen ii is the best full daylight bulb I've ever used. There's some kind of magic with its color spectrum with no washout.

For a true blueish Acitinc look those G-Manns Super Actinic bulbs are better than ATI's True actinic bulbs.

JMO...

Good Luck!!

Going to jump in quick, I might have to try this out because I love my ati actinic bulbs! Thanks for the input!

 

[infinite0180]

Those of you running actinic bulbs. Is there anyway to describe them? Ive never seen one im person...

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Took this picture today. Actinic is the 2nd to last.
-d

 

[infinite0180]

Took this picture today. Actinic is the 2nd to last.
-d

So almost a dark purple?

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Id describe it as a very lightnor faint black light. U.v. like when ur a kid and blast ur room with black light to see the glow. Just me? Lol
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I dont believe uv benefits coral as much as it just makes them.pop and flourese. Lol
D

 

[GoVols]

Those of you running actinic bulbs. Is there anyway to describe them? Ive never seen one im person...

They add more UV and help your corals display more pop.
They're dimmer to the eye to other t5's, but our eyes can't really pick their UV par strength.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

It makes the small glittery things glitter. Lol

 

[infinite0180]

Hmm. I could see how people could go crazy with all the possibilities lol

 

[Bpb]

What is best for viewing depends entirely on your visual preference. Some people who only know leds find the blue+ bulb way too white/yellow believe it or not. You said it right. Your MH is doing the heavy lifting.

The rest is entirely your preference. If it were my own tank, I’d likely do 2 blue+ 2 true actinic for a dawn/dusk period and run my MH on a whiter 10-14k choice for 6-8 hours a day. But that’s my visual preference. Yours may differ

 

[oreo54]

They add more UV and help your corals display more pop.
They're dimmer to the eye to other t5's, but our eyes can't really pick their UV par strength.

There s very little true UV in tubes.

 

[Superlightman]

Wich is better the kz coral light or the coral light new generation. Would like a clear tank where we can also see the pink, I have 4 bulbs

 

[Acrofiend]

I really like the 2 blue plus and 2 purple plus combo.

 

[SilvermistInc]

I really like the 2 blue plus and 2 purple plus combo.

That's what I run and it's great

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Uv is actually very present I think in fluorescent lighting....fwiw I think the people asking about bulbs and color should buy the bulbs and test them out themselves. I did. I had to. Anyone and everyone can say this or that or post graphs ect.
D