Which T5/MH to get?

freeswimmingfis · 04/28/2016, 04:21 PM

I have a new (re)build, it's a 156g 60x24x24 tank. I will be needing to get new T5 lamps and MH bulbs soon as the ones I have are over 6 months old. I have a 4 lamp T5 on 2 ballast set up. 2 lamps on each ballast driven by an icecap 660 ballasts and 2 250w SE MH each with its own icecap electronic ballast.
Current setup is:
T5 ch 1
2 Super actinics
T5 ch 2
2 blue plus
MH
2 radiums bulbs (not properly driven by ic ballast)

This combo is very washed out and pastel looking. While I have no corals I will in time, this will be a 75% SPS tank. I really like a nice crisp white look but also love the pop of a 14k-20k look. I want both color and growth.
I loved the results of Phoenix 14k SE (no longer available) with VHO Super Actinics that I used on my previous setup.
What can I use now to achieve a similar look and growth?

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freeswimmingfis · 04/28/2016, 04:22 PM

I'm thinking about this:
2 Reeflux 12k SE MH
2 Super Actinics ch 1
Blue Plus & ?? Ch 2

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freeswimmingfis · 04/29/2016, 06:21 AM

Any suggestions on a 4 lamp combo for a 14k look?

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Bpb · 04/29/2016, 09:16 AM

You could keep the radiums and replace the blue+ bulbs with 6500k bulbs to whiten it up a lot. Or if that's overboard try some coral+ or Aquablue coral bulbs in place of the blue+.

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Bpb · 04/29/2016, 09:17 AM

I'll add I would keep the true actinic bulbs because they cover an area of the spectrum that both Phoenix and radiums are a little deficient in

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04/28/2016, 04:21 PM	#1
freeswimmingfis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Katy Tx Posts: 622	Which T5/MH to get? I have a new (re)build, it's a 156g 60x24x24 tank. I will be needing to get new T5 lamps and MH bulbs soon as the ones I have are over 6 months old. I have a 4 lamp T5 on 2 ballast set up. 2 lamps on each ballast driven by an icecap 660 ballasts and 2 250w SE MH each with its own icecap electronic ballast. Current setup is: T5 ch 1 2 Super actinics T5 ch 2 2 blue plus MH 2 radiums bulbs (not properly driven by ic ballast) This combo is very washed out and pastel looking. While I have no corals I will in time, this will be a 75% SPS tank. I really like a nice crisp white look but also love the pop of a 14k-20k look. I want both color and growth. I loved the results of Phoenix 14k SE (no longer available) with VHO Super Actinics that I used on my previous setup. What can I use now to achieve a similar look and growth? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 60x24x24, 2-AI Hydra 26HD, PM R36+ sump, WB HY-5000 pump, 2 MP40 WES, BRS Duel reactor, LifeReef Skimmer, Red Sea 50 Ozone

04/28/2016, 04:22 PM	#2
freeswimmingfis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Katy Tx Posts: 622	I'm thinking about this: 2 Reeflux 12k SE MH 2 Super Actinics ch 1 Blue Plus & ?? Ch 2 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 60x24x24, 2-AI Hydra 26HD, PM R36+ sump, WB HY-5000 pump, 2 MP40 WES, BRS Duel reactor, LifeReef Skimmer, Red Sea 50 Ozone

04/29/2016, 06:21 AM	#3
freeswimmingfis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Katy Tx Posts: 622	Any suggestions on a 4 lamp combo for a 14k look? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 60x24x24, 2-AI Hydra 26HD, PM R36+ sump, WB HY-5000 pump, 2 MP40 WES, BRS Duel reactor, LifeReef Skimmer, Red Sea 50 Ozone

04/29/2016, 09:16 AM	#4
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	You could keep the radiums and replace the blue+ bulbs with 6500k bulbs to whiten it up a lot. Or if that's overboard try some coral+ or Aquablue coral bulbs in place of the blue+. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04/29/2016, 09:17 AM	#5
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	I'll add I would keep the true actinic bulbs because they cover an area of the spectrum that both Phoenix and radiums are a little deficient in Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk