Has anyone tried this 4 bulb configuration?

[coachfraley]

I have a 4 bulb t5ho fixture. Right now I am running 1-10,000k, 1-11,000k, 1-420 actinic, and 1-460 actinic.

I was thinking of running 3 12,000k's and one actinic (like the super actinic) and I was wondering if anyone had run this configuration. If you have tried it, how does it look and how did your corals respond? The only real downside I could see, is that when my timer switches to "twilight", I will have an actinic and a 12,000k on.

Thanks in advance.

 

[primetime]

That sounds like it will be a bright white spectrum. The Actinic will be overrun/outdone once all lights are lit. Not much color variance to pop your corals in my opinion. I would maybe drop one of the 12k and get an ATI Blue+ ( great PAR) bulb to get a lil more pop from you corals. You then could run the Actinic and Blue+ as you dusk/dawn.

 

[coral diver]

I'm running a growth mode right now 2 X 10k, 2 X URI super blue on the 48" and the same as the 24"

 

[FOSELONE]

hey brock...what light do you have...im in the market for one...thanks g

 

[coachfraley]

Thanks!

I am getting my bulbs at bulkreefsupply, so I can't go with the ATI.

I also saw this bulb: which is 14,000k, 75% ACTINIC 03 & 25% TRI-BAND PHOSPHORS.

I will probably end up with this array:
1-10,000k
1-12,000k
1-14,000k (75.25 bulb listed above)
1-actinic

 

[primetime]

Thanks!

I am getting my bulbs at bulkreefsupply, so I can't go with the ATI.

I also saw this bulb: which is 14,000k, 75% ACTINIC 03 & 25% TRI-BAND PHOSPHORS.

I will probably end up with this array:
1-10,000k
1-12,000k
1-14,000k (75.25 bulb listed above)
1-actinic

that 75.25 bulb is agood bulb but still on the white side. You can get the ATI blue + from Greg at ReefGeek.


Javier,

I have
2 ATI Blue+
1-New Generation KZ
1-Fiji Purple
1-Aquasun
1-Super Actinic

Not in that order on 2 IceCap 660.

 

[FOSELONE]

yo brock...any photos available of how that bulb combo looks in/on your tank ?

 

[primetime]

No FTS yet Javier. Will try to get one this weekend.

 

[coachfraley]

Thanks for the advice!

I am going to get 2 bulbs from reefgeek, and I will go with this:

1-current USA 10,000k (still have a new one)
1-FZ fiji purple
1-ATI blue plus
1-current usa actinic

 

[mikedege]

Ive had/have a couple tanks with T5's and if I were setting up your setup i'd do this.

Back of tank:
1x- ATI Blueplus
1x- ATI Aquablue(12000K)
1x- UVL super actinic
1x- GE 6500K day (or Geismann 6000K midday) personal preference.
front of tank:

This is what I've found to look the best in my 4bulb setup tank. And I've played around with at least 10 different bulbs/locations.

This will still be pretty white/blue. I think if you go with your previous plan it will be way too white/blue. IMO....

Also bulb location is critical in T5 setups, bulbs in diff locations will make your tank look completely different. Ya really gotta play around alot till you get what YOU like. But I really think if you leave out a 6500K or 6000K bulb it will be WAY too white, at least thats what I've found.

good luck, hope this helps
Mike:top:

heres an old pik of mine with this exact bulb setup/locations mentioned above.
Hopefully it gives you an idea of the color.