Best bulb combo for t5 fixture to grow corals
- Thread starter igotcorals
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We run 4 B+ and 2 P+ on another tank and are also happy with the color.
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- Nov 2, 2009
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I know this topic is of much debate but I have yet to see real evidence to support that running one spectrum over another will increase the growth in SPS when PAR levels are matched. Stuff will grow no matter what type of light you put over it as long as you supply enough of said light. We look at our tanks so why not go with something that will be the most pleasing to our eyes. I like my tanks white so this would be my pick.
2x Blue+
2x Coral+
2x Actinic+
2x Purple+
For a 14K-15K look
3x Blue+
1x Coral+
2x Actinic+
2x Purple+
Straight up blue
4x Blue+
2x Actinic+
2x Purple+
Also an 8 bulb sunpower can grow pretty much anything so I would ditch the AI Sol altogether. Sell it and get some bulbs with the money. If you want LEDs for the shimmer then I would add reefbrite strips to the ends of the sunpower although 8 bulbs will T5 will drown out whatever amount of LED you use.
2x Blue+
2x Coral+
2x Actinic+
2x Purple+
For a 14K-15K look
3x Blue+
1x Coral+
2x Actinic+
2x Purple+
Straight up blue
4x Blue+
2x Actinic+
2x Purple+
Also an 8 bulb sunpower can grow pretty much anything so I would ditch the AI Sol altogether. Sell it and get some bulbs with the money. If you want LEDs for the shimmer then I would add reefbrite strips to the ends of the sunpower although 8 bulbs will T5 will drown out whatever amount of LED you use.
Just a little bit of info for you guys that you might find useful. I have always used ATI bulbs as well. GREAT bulbs. However, my LFS has recently started carrying the new line of Giesemann bulbs. It's a completely different line, as Giesemann redid them in fall of last year. I have a 4 bulb fixture and this is what I run
Front
giesemann aquablue azure
ATI Blue +
giesemann aquablue coral
ATI Blue +
The look to ME is roughly 16-18k
My observations:
The Giesemann Aquablue Azure is unmatched by any bulb currently made by ATI. It's a white bulb with a turquoise tint to it (although very very slight) it does not make my tank look turquoise. It's not overpowering, and gives my tank a very nice look when combined with the other bulbs. The giesemann aquablue coral is very very similar to the ATI Coral + bulb. I really can't see a difference between the two.
I have tried the ATI Aquablue Special before and hated it because it washed out my colors. The Giesemann Aquablue Azure does not have that same effect, and as I stated, the Giesemann Aquablue Coral is essentially an ATI Coral+ counterpart.
Front
giesemann aquablue azure
ATI Blue +
giesemann aquablue coral
ATI Blue +
The look to ME is roughly 16-18k
My observations:
The Giesemann Aquablue Azure is unmatched by any bulb currently made by ATI. It's a white bulb with a turquoise tint to it (although very very slight) it does not make my tank look turquoise. It's not overpowering, and gives my tank a very nice look when combined with the other bulbs. The giesemann aquablue coral is very very similar to the ATI Coral + bulb. I really can't see a difference between the two.
I have tried the ATI Aquablue Special before and hated it because it washed out my colors. The Giesemann Aquablue Azure does not have that same effect, and as I stated, the Giesemann Aquablue Coral is essentially an ATI Coral+ counterpart.
Initially they will all be brown although the growth rate will be phenomenal. Once placed under blue lamps they will eventually color up. You will see some large culture facility's that will grow under 6-10k light or even natural sunlight and then swap over to blue lamps to allow the corals to color up before selling them. Basically best growth with a full spectrum bulb around 6K and the best color around 20K.
