which T5's best compliment 14k phoenix MH?

kevensquint · 05/16/2013, 04:24 AM

Funny, just the title looks like a question from 5 years ago. But I've tried LED bith DIY and Radion . I don't like either. Anyways, I use a phoenix 14k bulb. I find the sheer brightness takes away some of the fluorescence and color in the corals. Which T5 bulbs would help show off the coral colors while not being so actinic that in the evening with the MH off everything would be super blue...I would'nt want that. I've been considering KZ fiji blue and KZ coral grow 14k.

JRoweNole · 05/16/2013, 09:54 AM

How big is your tank? How many T5's are you considering?

drw94 · 05/16/2013, 11:01 AM

I use two ati B+. I also have a strip of rb LEDs.

Zstriker · 05/16/2013, 11:23 AM

I know how you feel. You want the pop from the T5s, but during evening viewing, you don't want to look at a windex tank....

Depending on how many T5s you have, this is what I would recommend.

2 Bulbs:
1 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Coral Plus = blue, little pinkish, but some white, so your viewing is still pleasing to the eye after MH is off.

4 Bulbs:
3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus = super pop, but doesn't over power your reds and pinks because the Purple plus provides balance....produces a subtle blacklight type look.

And if you are not of fan of getting in some white and pink into the mix:

2 Bulbs: 1 ATI Blue Plus & 1 ATI True Actinic (purple) provides the most pop when MH is off and doesn't make tank look windexy

4 Bulbs: 2 Blue Pluses & 2 ATI True Actinics, this looks most similar to the color the old true actinic VHO bulbs people STILL run!

Welcome back to the MH/T5 world.

Michigan Mike · 05/16/2013, 11:51 AM

So 250w Phoenix ? 2 or 4 T5?

I would try a KZ new gen or coral plus with a blue bulb if you do not want it very blue.

drw94 · 05/16/2013, 01:51 PM

I find myself really enjoying the royal blue LEDs. They make the corals really pop. I also think they aid in growth as well. You can also dim them so you don't get that windex look. Just something to think about. I enjoy a blue look thus the extra t5's

King Nine · 05/17/2013, 12:21 AM

While I'm in the process of ditching my T5s I do love the color I get from running 4 ATI Blue+ One Coral+ and One Purple+. It is the closest I've come to hitting my old phoenix bulb I ran on my previous tank. I love the look I get from that combo!

05/16/2013, 04:24 AM	#1
kevensquint Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: new york Posts: 2,277	which T5's best compliment 14k phoenix MH? Funny, just the title looks like a question from 5 years ago. But I've tried LED bith DIY and Radion . I don't like either. Anyways, I use a phoenix 14k bulb. I find the sheer brightness takes away some of the fluorescence and color in the corals. Which T5 bulbs would help show off the coral colors while not being so actinic that in the evening with the MH off everything would be super blue...I would'nt want that. I've been considering KZ fiji blue and KZ coral grow 14k.

05/16/2013, 11:01 AM	#3
drw94 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Santa Maria, Ca. Posts: 244	I use two ati B+. I also have a strip of rb LEDs. __________________ Glasscages 60 Cube, Apex, MP40/ MP10 B+, 250 Phoenix, royal blue LEDs Reef Dynamic INS100 GAC Reactors BRS 2 part/ Bubble Magus Doser, Avast Kalk Stirrer Current Tank Info: 60 Cube

05/16/2013, 01:51 PM	#6
drw94 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Santa Maria, Ca. Posts: 244	I find myself really enjoying the royal blue LEDs. They make the corals really pop. I also think they aid in growth as well. You can also dim them so you don't get that windex look. Just something to think about. I enjoy a blue look thus the extra t5's __________________ Glasscages 60 Cube, Apex, MP40/ MP10 B+, 250 Phoenix, royal blue LEDs Reef Dynamic INS100 GAC Reactors BRS 2 part/ Bubble Magus Doser, Avast Kalk Stirrer Current Tank Info: 60 Cube

05/17/2013, 12:21 AM	#7
King Nine Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 634	While I'm in the process of ditching my T5s I do love the color I get from running 4 ATI Blue+ One Coral+ and One Purple+. It is the closest I've come to hitting my old phoenix bulb I ran on my previous tank. I love the look I get from that combo! __________________ "That's a negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full." Current Tank Info: 125 Reef. Photon LED Lighting

05/16/2013, 09:54 AM	#2
JRoweNole Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kennesaw, Georgia Posts: 324	How big is your tank? How many T5's are you considering?

05/16/2013, 11:23 AM	#4
Zstriker Moved On Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 131	I know how you feel. You want the pop from the T5s, but during evening viewing, you don't want to look at a windex tank.... Depending on how many T5s you have, this is what I would recommend. 2 Bulbs: 1 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Coral Plus = blue, little pinkish, but some white, so your viewing is still pleasing to the eye after MH is off. 4 Bulbs: 3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus = super pop, but doesn't over power your reds and pinks because the Purple plus provides balance....produces a subtle blacklight type look. And if you are not of fan of getting in some white and pink into the mix: 2 Bulbs: 1 ATI Blue Plus & 1 ATI True Actinic (purple) provides the most pop when MH is off and doesn't make tank look windexy 4 Bulbs: 2 Blue Pluses & 2 ATI True Actinics, this looks most similar to the color the old true actinic VHO bulbs people STILL run! Welcome back to the MH/T5 world.

05/16/2013, 11:51 AM	#5
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	So 250w Phoenix ? 2 or 4 T5? I would try a KZ new gen or coral plus with a blue bulb if you do not want it very blue.