t5 bulb combo for sps color and growth

fishfanatic06 · 07/01/2007, 11:04 AM

I have a 6x54watt tek t5 fixture over my sps tank. I can not seem to get the right bulb combo for a great all around sps color. I want all of the colors to have some sort of noticeable pop to them, yet I still want to get decent growth. Right now my bulb combo is as follows:
FRONT
Coralvue actinic 03
ATI AB special (11k)
ATI Blue plus (Blue bulb)
ATI AB special (11k)
ATI Blue Plus (Blue bulb)
ATI AB special (11k)
BACK

I am starting to really dislike the AB special. It has great par but It has a dull yellow color to it. It is not a crisp white color by any means.

Thanks for the help guys!

iantoh · 07/01/2007, 11:15 AM

hi there fishfanatic,

do consider giving the Korallen-Zucht "Coral Light" tubes a try. in essence, theyre meant to be triphosphor tubes like the ATi AB Spezials, but with 5% red spectrum. likewise, i'm sure youll find their Fiji Purple tubes to be the missing element to give you that "pop".

cheers,
ian

fishfanatic06 · 07/01/2007, 11:25 AM

i would like to try them but they are all sold out at zeovitusa.com.

Serioussnaps · 07/02/2007, 10:11 AM

I would stop using the Aquablue bulbs....IMHO and experience they wash out/lighten up colors....I prefer the use of only 2 bulbs......ATI Blue plus(great bulb, cant say enough) and GE Daylight(par winner) 2:1 ratio.......run this and you are good to go......I havent tried the fauna marin or korralen zucht bulbs either so I cant comment on them.

Obi-dad · 07/02/2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishfanatic06

I am starting to really dislike the AB special. It has great par but It has a dull yellow color to it. It is not a crisp white color by any means.

Thanks for the help guys!

That is odd - I have had many Aquablue bulbs, but none has been yellow. The Sun bulb on the other hand, yellow.

Amphiprion · 07/02/2007, 11:47 AM

My Aquablue special tubes are a crisp white color, emitting a white light with a hint of blue.

smokez01 · 07/02/2007, 02:27 PM

^^ Same as mine, I use 3 AB and 3 B+, I get a super nice crisp white colour but am trying to decide on what new combination I should buy to get the best growth rate and coral color..

How long is everyone running their lights for? My B+ run for 8 hours and AB 6 hours... Should I look to increase the lighting?

Serioussnaps · 07/02/2007, 02:38 PM

Over my 55 growout I run 4 bulbs.....2 blue plus 12 hours, 1GE daylight and 1 aTI blue plus for 7 hours.

fishfanatic06 · 07/05/2007, 09:11 AM

I am trying to go for that XM 20k look.

Amphiprion · 07/05/2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishfanatic06
I am trying to go for that XM 20k look.

I think serioussnaps' combination will give close to that effect.

Obi-dad · 07/05/2007, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Amphiprion
I think serioussnaps' combination will give close to that effect.

IME that combo is whiter than the xm20k. If you want a 20k look you will need all blue+ bulbs - even one white or sun bulb will be much whiter than an XM 20k bulb.

RichConley · 07/05/2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Obi-dad
That is odd - I have had many Aquablue bulbs, but none has been yellow. The Sun bulb on the other hand, yellow.

Agree.

This is simply another case of someone with bad water quality blaming lighting.

Generally, if someone is saying a 10K type bulb "looks really yellow" its because their water is "really yellow"

IMPERATORFAN · 07/05/2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
Agree.

This is simply another case of someone with bad water quality blaming lighting.

Generally, if someone is saying a 10K type bulb "looks really yellow" its because their water is "really yellow"

Damn! Don't go off and sugar coat it. Just tell it like it is.

fishfanatic06 · 07/05/2007, 01:33 PM

Hmmm..... If I got a 3000k bulb and it made my tank appear yellow, that means I have bad water quality. Right?
My water quality is great. I just don't like the bulb.

messy1messmer · 07/05/2007, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
Agree.

This is simply another case of someone with bad water quality blaming lighting.

Generally, if someone is saying a 10K type bulb "looks really yellow" its because their water is "really yellow"

I really think thats a crap thing to say when you dont know the person or hows his tank is. Assuming is a horrible way to judge someone tank quality.
Kyle's water quality is no way the issue. He has some best husbandry habits i have ever seen. His corals grow at great rates, and Kyle has taken close to dead pieces of coral and brought them back.

IMPERATORFAN · 07/06/2007, 07:50 AM

Not only was it a crap thing to say, it was a dumb thing to say. It's just like saying a 20k bulb doesn't "look really blue" its because their water is really blue!

fishfanatic06 · 07/06/2007, 08:10 AM

NM, delete.

RichConley · 07/06/2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishfanatic06
Hmmm..... If I got a 3000k bulb and it made my tank appear yellow, that means I have bad water quality. Right?
My water quality is great. I just don't like the bulb.

A 3k bulb isnt a 10K bulb.

read my post before you make comments on it.

fishfanatic06 · 07/06/2007, 09:35 PM

I just don't see how you can come on to my thread and make such a stupid assumption about my water quality. I get on here to get some positive feedback and a comment like that just completely ruins it.

fijiblue · 07/07/2007, 09:24 AM

fishfanatic06-
I, too have a 6 bulb tek (39watt) and have been trying to find the right combo. Most people told me to go with 2 blue plus and 4 blue specials (ATI). IMO I found this combo to wash out the colors of the coral and not spark the pinks, blues, greens. I am on my 12 bulb set and I think I have found it:

Front
UV Super Actinic
ATI Blue Special
UV Aquasun
ATI Blue Special
UV Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

Yes, the Aquasun is a little pink in color, but if it bothers you that much, just switch out a BS

bulb with a ATI Blue Plus. I was amazed at how the pinks, greens, blues abd purples popped like crazy.

On a side note, has anyone used the new UV 14k Aquablue bulb?

fishfanatic06 · 07/07/2007, 09:43 AM

He he, yeah BS bulb. lol

reefkoi · 07/08/2007, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishfanatic06
I just don't see how you can come on to my thread and make such a stupid assumption about my water quality. I get on here to get some positive feedback and a comment like that just completely ruins it.

Well that's how Rich is.

I know you mean compared to most 14K and 20K bulbs the water does appear yellow, or maybe its not the water that appears that way its the corals, sand and rock. I think you should change out the 11k bulbs for some that the others have recommended here.
Nothing has to be wrong with the water to get this appearance.

Rich loves to tell people to re-read his post before commenting, well Rich needs to re-read your post here.

Rich.............the poster said "It has a dull yellow color"
NOT "looks really yellow" as you stated. Theres quite a big difference between dull yellow and really yellow there fella.
Maybe if you don't have any sound advice to give then silence is best huh.

Chris

Justin74 · 07/08/2007, 06:41 PM

Back on topic its always gonna be a tit for tat in my opinion. If you want your blues, pinks and reds to bang you may have to deal with the warmer spectrum bulbs, but for the greens, oranges,purples and everything else (

) you'll need to shift to a bluer spectrum. Im havin pretty decent colored results a 4 blue/purple to 2 11k bulb ratio.

The only thing the GE did for me was give me pale corals with nice blue tips. Ive only seen major positive differences in coloration since I dropped that bulb, some I initially thought not possible with T5.

I cant speak on the figi purple would like to try it myself. But for a true actinic try the Geismann(and apparently higher in PAR than ATI's act.), really helps give the blue some depth, I use all Geismann right now, but if your chasing the numbers like most, ATI's are your bulb

People need to take into consideration different ballasts being used as well. For something thats off the hook being overdriven with IC's may look a little different on some triads, workorse or some other no namer. Its all relevant IMO.

All in all I think it's common knowledge that a higher kelvin is going to give you better coloration for a wider variety, but these are pretty high PAR bulbs so Im not really seeing the loss in growth though...

Any pics? Would like to see the color your sporting with your current ratio

-Justin

fijiblue · 07/08/2007, 08:39 PM

I haven't shown my tank yet cause it is still not mature (2 months), but I guess it wouldn't hurt. Im using my buddy's photobucket acount so I hope it works.

fijiblue · 07/09/2007, 09:04 AM

Anyone else have pics?

07/01/2007, 11:04 AM	#1
fishfanatic06 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 944	t5 bulb combo for sps color and growth I have a 6x54watt tek t5 fixture over my sps tank. I can not seem to get the right bulb combo for a great all around sps color. I want all of the colors to have some sort of noticeable pop to them, yet I still want to get decent growth. Right now my bulb combo is as follows: FRONT Coralvue actinic 03 ATI AB special (11k) ATI Blue plus (Blue bulb) ATI AB special (11k) ATI Blue Plus (Blue bulb) ATI AB special (11k) BACK I am starting to really dislike the AB special. It has great par but It has a dull yellow color to it. It is not a crisp white color by any means. Thanks for the help guys! __________________ What some reading entertainment? CHECK OUT MY BLOG!!!! Current Tank Info: Back at the hobby. 29 gallon mixed reef

07/01/2007, 11:25 AM	#3
fishfanatic06 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 944	i would like to try them but they are all sold out at zeovitusa.com. __________________ What some reading entertainment? CHECK OUT MY BLOG!!!! Current Tank Info: Back at the hobby. 29 gallon mixed reef

07/02/2007, 11:47 AM	#6
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	My Aquablue special tubes are a crisp white color, emitting a white light with a hint of blue. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

07/02/2007, 02:27 PM	#7
smokez01 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Coral Springs, Florida Posts: 269	^^ Same as mine, I use 3 AB and 3 B+, I get a super nice crisp white colour but am trying to decide on what new combination I should buy to get the best growth rate and coral color.. How long is everyone running their lights for? My B+ run for 8 hours and AB 6 hours... Should I look to increase the lighting? __________________ Click red house to view my tank thread =) Current Tank Info: 1 yr old 90g Reef

07/05/2007, 09:11 AM	#9
fishfanatic06 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 944	I am trying to go for that XM 20k look. __________________ What some reading entertainment? CHECK OUT MY BLOG!!!! Current Tank Info: Back at the hobby. 29 gallon mixed reef

07/01/2007, 11:15 AM	#2
iantoh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 122	hi there fishfanatic, do consider giving the Korallen-Zucht "Coral Light" tubes a try. in essence, theyre meant to be triphosphor tubes like the ATi AB Spezials, but with 5% red spectrum. likewise, i'm sure youll find their Fiji Purple tubes to be the missing element to give you that "pop". cheers, ian

07/02/2007, 10:11 AM	#4
Serioussnaps Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,703	I would stop using the Aquablue bulbs....IMHO and experience they wash out/lighten up colors....I prefer the use of only 2 bulbs......ATI Blue plus(great bulb, cant say enough) and GE Daylight(par winner) 2:1 ratio.......run this and you are good to go......I havent tried the fauna marin or korralen zucht bulbs either so I cant comment on them.

07/02/2007, 02:38 PM	#8
Serioussnaps Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,703	Over my 55 growout I run 4 bulbs.....2 blue plus 12 hours, 1GE daylight and 1 aTI blue plus for 7 hours.

07/05/2007, 01:33 PM	#14
fishfanatic06 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 944	Hmmm..... If I got a 3000k bulb and it made my tank appear yellow, that means I have bad water quality. Right? My water quality is great. I just don't like the bulb. __________________ What some reading entertainment? CHECK OUT MY BLOG!!!! Current Tank Info: Back at the hobby. 29 gallon mixed reef

07/06/2007, 07:50 AM	#16
IMPERATORFAN Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 297	Not only was it a crap thing to say, it was a dumb thing to say. It's just like saying a 20k bulb doesn't "look really blue" its because their water is really blue!

07/06/2007, 08:10 AM	#17
fishfanatic06 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 944	NM, delete. __________________ What some reading entertainment? CHECK OUT MY BLOG!!!! Current Tank Info: Back at the hobby. 29 gallon mixed reef Last edited by fishfanatic06; 07/06/2007 at 08:37 AM.

07/06/2007, 09:35 PM	#19
fishfanatic06 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 944	I just don't see how you can come on to my thread and make such a stupid assumption about my water quality. I get on here to get some positive feedback and a comment like that just completely ruins it. __________________ What some reading entertainment? CHECK OUT MY BLOG!!!! Current Tank Info: Back at the hobby. 29 gallon mixed reef

07/07/2007, 09:24 AM	#20
fijiblue Moved On Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: unfortunately here Posts: 1,895	fishfanatic06- I, too have a 6 bulb tek (39watt) and have been trying to find the right combo. Most people told me to go with 2 blue plus and 4 blue specials (ATI). IMO I found this combo to wash out the colors of the coral and not spark the pinks, blues, greens. I am on my 12 bulb set and I think I have found it: Front UV Super Actinic ATI Blue Special UV Aquasun ATI Blue Special UV Aquasun ATI Blue Plus Yes, the Aquasun is a little pink in color, but if it bothers you that much, just switch out a BS bulb with a ATI Blue Plus. I was amazed at how the pinks, greens, blues abd purples popped like crazy. On a side note, has anyone used the new UV 14k Aquablue bulb?

07/07/2007, 09:43 AM	#21
fishfanatic06 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 944	He he, yeah BS bulb. lol __________________ What some reading entertainment? CHECK OUT MY BLOG!!!! Current Tank Info: Back at the hobby. 29 gallon mixed reef

07/08/2007, 06:41 PM	#23
Justin74 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Diamond Springs, CA Posts: 7,623	IBTL :D Back on topic its always gonna be a tit for tat in my opinion. If you want your blues, pinks and reds to bang you may have to deal with the warmer spectrum bulbs, but for the greens, oranges,purples and everything else () you'll need to shift to a bluer spectrum. Im havin pretty decent colored results a 4 blue/purple to 2 11k bulb ratio. The only thing the GE did for me was give me pale corals with nice blue tips. Ive only seen major positive differences in coloration since I dropped that bulb, some I initially thought not possible with T5. I cant speak on the figi purple would like to try it myself. But for a true actinic try the Geismann(and apparently higher in PAR than ATI's act.), really helps give the blue some depth, I use all Geismann right now, but if your chasing the numbers like most, ATI's are your bulb People need to take into consideration different ballasts being used as well. For something thats off the hook being overdriven with IC's may look a little different on some triads, workorse or some other no namer. Its all relevant IMO. All in all I think it's common knowledge that a higher kelvin is going to give you better coloration for a wider variety, but these are pretty high PAR bulbs so Im not really seeing the loss in growth though... Any pics? Would like to see the color your sporting with your current ratio -Justin

07/08/2007, 08:39 PM	#24
fijiblue Moved On Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: unfortunately here Posts: 1,895	I haven't shown my tank yet cause it is still not mature (2 months), but I guess it wouldn't hurt. Im using my buddy's photobucket acount so I hope it works.

07/09/2007, 09:04 AM	#25
fijiblue Moved On Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: unfortunately here Posts: 1,895	Anyone else have pics?