Fail. Moving On
- Thread starter Bubbaboy
- Start date
Not sure the watts lol sorry. And with the t5 can I go with the standard end caps, not waterproof? And if I can have 7 I might as well use it? What kind of bulbs should I use?
How this setup
Slot1-12k white
Slot2-460nm blue
Slot3-12k white
Slot4- Special Purple
Slot5-12k white
Slot6-460nm blue
Slot7- 12k white
How this setup
Slot1-12k white
Slot2-460nm blue
Slot3-12k white
Slot4- Special Purple
Slot5-12k white
Slot6-460nm blue
Slot7- 12k white
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i would go water proof, you will prevent the wires/endcaps from getting rusted out. cutting wires and trying to make them fit again is not worth the few dollors extra for water proof. you can also shorten bulb life if the ends have bad connections due to salt creep.
your above light list would suck IMO. WAY TO MUCH WHITE. also actinic bulbs are pointless in T5, trust me on that, i just ordered one new bulb to replace the super actinic i have in now because after messing with it i found it adds almost no color and i tested its par and they have almost no par! whats the point. an ATI blue+ has about 330 par or so and it gives way more pop then an actinic. the ATI purple + has the same PAR as the blue+ and will be cheaper then the other purple bulbs out there. i would use only 1 or 2 white bulbs at max. they are bright as heck and will drown out any other colors.
try something like:
blue+
14k
blue+
purple+
14k (or a Blue+ for a bluer tank)
blue+
your above light list would suck IMO. WAY TO MUCH WHITE. also actinic bulbs are pointless in T5, trust me on that, i just ordered one new bulb to replace the super actinic i have in now because after messing with it i found it adds almost no color and i tested its par and they have almost no par! whats the point. an ATI blue+ has about 330 par or so and it gives way more pop then an actinic. the ATI purple + has the same PAR as the blue+ and will be cheaper then the other purple bulbs out there. i would use only 1 or 2 white bulbs at max. they are bright as heck and will drown out any other colors.
try something like:
blue+
14k
blue+
purple+
14k (or a Blue+ for a bluer tank)
blue+
also i could only fit 6 on my tank with a width of 20inches. so not sure of your tank size or space but 7 may be hard to fit. i mean you may be able to fit it but how are you going to be able to reach in? the part that takes up the most space is the reflectors. you need to buy the 2 inch skinny ones from icecap. most others that come in a "kit" are the fat 2.5 inchers. i have 4 skinny ones and 2 fat boys and it take up about 15inches or so because you need a very small gap so the reflectors dont mash each other.
I know you are doing a Diy, but I have a current nova extreme pro 6 bulb t5 and I have SPS in my tank as well as different types of montis and a ton of zoas and lps. I personally love t5s. The colors and growth are great! I highly recommend a 6 bulb t5.
My bulb confihuration is...
ati blue +
ati blue +
kz fiji purple
Ati blue +
ati blue +
ati blue +
My bulb confihuration is...
ati blue +
ati blue +
kz fiji purple
Ati blue +
ati blue +
ati blue +
notice that ocreefmaster is not using any white bulbs, you really dont need the white bulbs when your running ati blue +. they have higher par then most white bulbs anyways. i gave my tank 2 white bulbs and only 2 blue+ a purple and a actinic, and im about to pull the actinic and put in another blue. i would say they next time i do a complete bulb change i may even ditch one of the white bulbs too and get another purple. right now it has an icy white/bluish look, i would think ocreefmasters tank has a much stronger blue look without any white. its what ever your looking for as far as appperance.
you cant fit any more then 5 in there even without the reflectors (and why would you ditch the par boosting reflectors for?) the end caps take up more space then the bulbs, almost as much as the reflector do.
you need to make sure you can fit your hand under the canopy for feeding and moving corals. just something to consider.
you need to make sure you can fit your hand under the canopy for feeding and moving corals. just something to consider.
i have a canopy that the whole top rises(where the lights mount) so no problem using up all the room. and so your saying go with reflectors. now with that in mind what would fit best in a 36"x11" canopy? and should i use like a individual reflector or a multi bulb reflector?
And i have to say this but would it be better to try leds again but a different source? Maybe even diy with bulbs and sockets ect?
And i have to say this but would it be better to try leds again but a different source? Maybe even diy with bulbs and sockets ect?
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What type of corals are you going to house? Leds are really only good for softies and lps. If you are going to try and house sps then leds are not recommended. Therevare some great led fixtures out there, that is what i would recommend. You might have to cut a couple of holes in the top of your hood for the hot air off the heat sinks to vent, but it can be done.
I personally run t5 and i am able to keep sps lps and softies with no problems. All the colors a great and growth is pretty good too. Lighting kind of breaks down light this, if you want amazing growth then you will want to go with metal halide, if you are not that crazy about growth but still want a decent amount, but are more interested in color then go with T5s. If you want slow growth but crazy colors and no sps then go with leds.
I personally run t5 and i am able to keep sps lps and softies with no problems. All the colors a great and growth is pretty good too. Lighting kind of breaks down light this, if you want amazing growth then you will want to go with metal halide, if you are not that crazy about growth but still want a decent amount, but are more interested in color then go with T5s. If you want slow growth but crazy colors and no sps then go with leds.
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