Switching out bulbs on ATI

mooch1982 · 08/14/2013, 08:35 AM

Hey guys,

Currently I am running a 6 x 24 ATI dimabble fixture over a 20 gallon tank (24x12x16) with the following bulb combo (in this order with run time):

ATI Actinic (420nm) - (4 hours @ 100%)
ATI Blue + - (7 hours @ 100%)
KZ Fiji Purple - (4 hours @ 100%)
KZ Coral (10K) - (4 hours @ 100%)
ATI Blue + (7 hours @ 100%)
ATI Actinic (420 nm) - (4 hours @ 100%)

I feel my corals are not getting enough of the blue spectrum and causing some of the blue/purple corals to not fully color up.

I am thinking of swithcing to the following combo (in this order):

ATI Blue +
ATI Blue +
ATI Coral +
KZ fiji purple
ATI Blue +
ATI Coral +

Would the new set of bulbs provide way too much PAR for my 20 gallon tank? Please note the tank is 95% SPS and I keep this fixture about 7 inches above the tank.

I also have to option to dim all channels.

Thanks!

TylerHaworth · 08/14/2013, 11:54 AM

I would probably run 4 Blue, a coral plus, and the KZ... It's really all personal preference though

If you're worried about frying everything just knock back your lighting for a couple hours and ramp it back up.

Michigan Mike · 08/14/2013, 12:14 PM

Try keeping all the bulbs on for 6-7 hours or even longer instead of only 4 hours.

mooch1982 · 08/15/2013, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

Try keeping all the bulbs on for 6-7 hours or even longer instead of only 4 hours.

Why do you say that?

I only ask because, it seems most people have had more success with keeping a shorter photoperiod in very low nutrient tanks. Some of my sps were looking bleached, but I did have a massive ALK drop inbetween.

Just curious..

ReefCowboy · 08/15/2013, 12:14 PM

I switched to the combo you mentioned 4b+,p+,c+ and really like the look, however you should have plenty of blue spectrum with the combo you have now. You have lots of light and you should be well in that department.
I owned a 20 gal long for a year with a 4x24" fixture with the following combo:
10k/Blue+/10k/actinic and i believe my tank had the most colors i could ask for. I liked the 10k so much i tried having it on my new 6 bulb fixture over my new 80 gal as well.
Here is a pic of my tank when i broke it down before upgrading. All sps were introduced as frags and by this pic, some acros were growing out of the water.

08/14/2013, 08:35 AM	#1
mooch1982 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 435	Switching out bulbs on ATI Hey guys, Currently I am running a 6 x 24 ATI dimabble fixture over a 20 gallon tank (24x12x16) with the following bulb combo (in this order with run time): ATI Actinic (420nm) - (4 hours @ 100%) ATI Blue + - (7 hours @ 100%) KZ Fiji Purple - (4 hours @ 100%) KZ Coral (10K) - (4 hours @ 100%) ATI Blue + (7 hours @ 100%) ATI Actinic (420 nm) - (4 hours @ 100%) I feel my corals are not getting enough of the blue spectrum and causing some of the blue/purple corals to not fully color up. I am thinking of swithcing to the following combo (in this order): ATI Blue + ATI Blue + ATI Coral + KZ fiji purple ATI Blue + ATI Coral + Would the new set of bulbs provide way too much PAR for my 20 gallon tank? Please note the tank is 95% SPS and I keep this fixture about 7 inches above the tank. I also have to option to dim all channels. Thanks!

08/14/2013, 11:54 AM	#2
TylerHaworth Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Barboursville, WV Posts: 628	I would probably run 4 Blue, a coral plus, and the KZ... It's really all personal preference though If you're worried about frying everything just knock back your lighting for a couple hours and ramp it back up. __________________ 180 Gallon Rimless. Halides. MP40's. Other Goodies. Last edited by TylerHaworth; 08/14/2013 at 12:20 PM.

08/14/2013, 12:14 PM	#3
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	Try keeping all the bulbs on for 6-7 hours or even longer instead of only 4 hours.

08/15/2013, 12:14 PM	#5
ReefCowboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 1,742	I switched to the combo you mentioned 4b+,p+,c+ and really like the look, however you should have plenty of blue spectrum with the combo you have now. You have lots of light and you should be well in that department. I owned a 20 gal long for a year with a 4x24" fixture with the following combo: 10k/Blue+/10k/actinic and i believe my tank had the most colors i could ask for. I liked the 10k so much i tried having it on my new 6 bulb fixture over my new 80 gal as well. Here is a pic of my tank when i broke it down before upgrading. All sps were introduced as frags and by this pic, some acros were growing out of the water.