6 bulb T5 Config

[RajDog]

I'm about to replace the bulbs that came with my nova extreme pro light and wanted some opinions on the config I'm thinking of. I have a mixed reef including a clam. I don't want it too blue and would prefer a setup that is aimed at growth over fluorescence. After a quite a bit of research this is what I'm thinking:
blue plus
fuji purple
aquablue spec
blue plus
aquablue spec
blue plus

Any thoughts? Anyone running something similar and like it?

 

[jerl77]

blue +
aqua blue
blue plus
blue plus
atintic plus
i think the fuji purple washes out the color jmo
blue plus is a great bulb but i like blue

 

[bigcapct]

I have actinic +
Fiji purp
Blue+
Blue special
Blue+
Actinic +
I have mixed reef with GREAT RESULTS ,it is on the blue side tho

Dnt drink the water ,fish have sex in it

 

[RajDog]

Thanks for letting me know what you guys are running. You got me checking out the actinic +'s.

How would you compare the actinic + to the blue plus? They seem like a very similar bulb.

You both are running 4 of 6 bulbs in the ~460nm range, sounds on the blue end, seems like most people like it on the bluer side.

 

[NYreefNoob]

antic is a deeper blue, but not as bright either, plus antics look par quicker, i have a par output table some where on here to give a close refferance to most bulbs, the fiji purple really brings out the reds and blue's
i run this in my 8 bulb ATI
blue +
blue +
fiji purple
blue special
blue +
blue +
blue special
blue +

 

[cowfish]

Instead of the Fiji purple from KZ get the purple bulb from ATI since they're made in the same factory. I believe the only difference is the $.

You may want to consider using a GE 6500 as well, better PAR than ATI 'Specials.

I have a 75g SPS reef with a Derasa clam on the bottom and run front to back:
Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
GE 6500
Aquablue Special
Blue+

Not too blue, but the water does have bluish tint to it with all of the bulbs running. Figure around 14K color temp.

 

[Brando457]

antic is a deeper blue, but not as bright either, plus antics look par quicker, i have a par output table some where on here to give a close refferance to most bulbs, the fiji purple really brings out the reds and blue's
i run this in my 8 bulb ATI
blue +
blue +
fiji purple
blue special
blue +
blue +
blue special
blue +

can you snap a pic?

I run on my 6 bulb

blue +
blue +
GE 6700
fiji pink
blue +
blue +

I am either going to LEDS or going to change my bulbs soon.

 

[RajDog]

NYReefNoob's par numbers:
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/equipment/89249-t5-bulb-pars.html

According to that the aquablue specials are pretty close to the GE 6500's as far as par numbers.

Color wise they also seem pretty close
http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=2753#
http://www.aquacave.com/ati-aquablue-special-br12000k-t5-lamps-2776.html#

Any one feel any differences between the fiji purple and the ati purple +? I might just go all ati. Really seems like everyone is running 4 blue+'s. I'm looking to go 3 which should bring down the blue tint a bit. Any know the par numbers on the fiji purple's?

Just found this article:
http://www.practicalcoralfarming.com/t5spectrums.html

Only place I've seen a graph on the fiji purple's.

Guy is running 6 x ATI Blue Plus, 1 Fiji Purple, ATI Aquaspecial in his sps tank.

 

[ryangrieder]

Front to back

KZ super blue
KZ Fiji purple
ATI Blue plus
D&D Aqua blue+
D&D Pure Actinic
D&D Aqua blue+

 

[NYreefNoob]

order a extra blue + in case the other seems to white, and really with 3 blue + 2 blue specials and either or the fiji purple or ati's will give around a 14k or so look, ive got a few other bulbs ive played with also from ge 6500k to giesmans and so forth, but the combo i run now does what i need it to, corals do pop but not with that fake blue look, and light isnt too white either

 

[richardhmc]

do 6 t5 bulbs have more power than a 1 150w metal halide?

 

[RajDog]

My 6 bulb 48inch light has 324 watts and its def not the best but I am really happy with it:
http://www.marinedepot.com/Current_...xtures-Current_USA-CU01083-FILTFIT5T5-vi.html

NYreefNoob could you post a pic with the light config you are using? I am going away next week but can't wait to get the order in for some new bulbs. You got me leaning now to 3 blue +'s, the key for me is I don't like that fake blue look, I want a natural look.

 

[NYreefNoob]

if you ever seen a phoniex 14k mh thats about the same color my light is

 

[RajDog]

just googled to take a look at a few pics of phoenix 14k, looks really nice. Do you think a drop off of 30 par would make a difference in coral growth rates? Probably not noticeable I would think.

The 30 par drop would be from switching out a Aquablue Special (341) for a blue plus (311)

 

[NYreefNoob]

no i dont think it would, but one of the things i will point out is your 6 bulb t5 light with same bulbs wont produce any where near the par a ATI 6 bulb fixture will or even a tek fixture for that matter, the reflectors in your unit are kinda crappy and not true individual reflectors, but you will be able to keep things alive and growing

 

[NYreefNoob]

and richard to answer your question yes the t5 will, and will give more coverage

 

[RajDog]

Yeah that's what I hear that individual parabolic reflectors are the best. I would like to see some par numbers on both fixtures with the same bulbs out of curiosity.

Is it possible to add individual parabolic reflectors to nep?