Looking for a different T5 color combo...

fast57 · 10/27/2011, 03:01 PM

I use 2 icecap 660 balasts on 8 bulbs in a 125g tank. I just received my new bulbs from reefgeek about a week and a half ago. I ordered the same color combo that I've always used with my T5's but something seems different. The colors don't seem to pop like they always did. Is it possible that one of the brands changed something in the way they make them? My blues used to be bluer and same with my purples. So what I'm looking to do is change maybe 1 bulb out of each row of 4 and keep or expand my corals growth rate. I have sps, lps, zoas and a clam. I also dont want to much of a blue to where it looks fake. I like corals natural colors but i also like it slightly enhanced. Here's the bulbs that are in there now... Which one would you Change to enrich the colors a bit?
Uvl...super actinic
Uvl... Actinic white
Uvl... Aqua sun
Giesman...aqua blue plus

rtparty · 10/27/2011, 04:48 PM

Honestly? All of them. I might keep the Gmann Aqua Blue but that is even a stretch.

You are overdriving your bulbs and the actinic will be shot in about 3-4 months if it is properly cooled. Overdriven bulbs last about 6-7 months on average if cooled properly with some good fans and proper location.

You have a ton of red in your setup as well. The Actinic White and Aqua Sun are both very pink bulbs and that could be hurting a little. You simply need more blue light.

If you like a more yellow look I would go with 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k. Also remember to acclimate your corals properly. New bulbs have a ton more PAR than old bulbs and you can crash your tank if not careful.

fast57 · 10/27/2011, 05:08 PM

May I ask where you came up with your timeline about bulb life? I've used the same color combo for around 4 years now. I only replace the bulbs once a year and even at the end of there year the coral still grow at a high rate. I've always liked this combo but something just seems different this time. So what you saying is that overdriven t5's only last 6 months or so? I'll tell you from 4 years personal experience that that's not true.

Reefnut2010 · 10/27/2011, 05:45 PM

Get rid of 1 actinic white or aqua sun and change it to a Fiji purple. Should give you some pop !!

rtparty · 10/27/2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fast57

May I ask where you came up with your timeline about bulb life? I've used the same color combo for around 4 years now. I only replace the bulbs once a year and even at the end of there year the coral still grow at a high rate. I've always liked this combo but something just seems different this time. So what you saying is that overdriven t5's only last 6 months or so? I'll tell you from 4 years personal experience that that's not true.

From the dozens of tests using PAR meters to determine the luminous decay of a bulb. We don't use bulbs until they burn out. You could go two years or more if that were the case.

Certain phosphors have a life expectancy. Blue and actinic phosphors are all but shot around the 10-12 month mark using spec T5 ballasts. Overdriving decreases this life.

I can tell you from 6 years of experience and personally using T5s, that one year for an overdriven bulb is too long.

Just sharing my experience and research. I've spent thousands of hours researching and studying this exact topic.

10/27/2011, 03:01 PM	#1
fast57 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: southside of chicago Posts: 667	Looking for a different T5 color combo... I use 2 icecap 660 balasts on 8 bulbs in a 125g tank. I just received my new bulbs from reefgeek about a week and a half ago. I ordered the same color combo that I've always used with my T5's but something seems different. The colors don't seem to pop like they always did. Is it possible that one of the brands changed something in the way they make them? My blues used to be bluer and same with my purples. So what I'm looking to do is change maybe 1 bulb out of each row of 4 and keep or expand my corals growth rate. I have sps, lps, zoas and a clam. I also dont want to much of a blue to where it looks fake. I like corals natural colors but i also like it slightly enhanced. Here's the bulbs that are in there now... Which one would you Change to enrich the colors a bit? Uvl...super actinic Uvl... Actinic white Uvl... Aqua sun Giesman...aqua blue plus

10/27/2011, 04:48 PM	#2
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Honestly? All of them. I might keep the Gmann Aqua Blue but that is even a stretch. You are overdriving your bulbs and the actinic will be shot in about 3-4 months if it is properly cooled. Overdriven bulbs last about 6-7 months on average if cooled properly with some good fans and proper location. You have a ton of red in your setup as well. The Actinic White and Aqua Sun are both very pink bulbs and that could be hurting a little. You simply need more blue light. If you like a more yellow look I would go with 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k. Also remember to acclimate your corals properly. New bulbs have a ton more PAR than old bulbs and you can crash your tank if not careful. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

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10/27/2011, 05:08 PM	#3
fast57 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: southside of chicago Posts: 667	May I ask where you came up with your timeline about bulb life? I've used the same color combo for around 4 years now. I only replace the bulbs once a year and even at the end of there year the coral still grow at a high rate. I've always liked this combo but something just seems different this time. So what you saying is that overdriven t5's only last 6 months or so? I'll tell you from 4 years personal experience that that's not true.

10/27/2011, 05:45 PM	#4
Reefnut2010 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Gabriel Valley, Ca Posts: 427	Get rid of 1 actinic white or aqua sun and change it to a Fiji purple. Should give you some pop !!