Strictly T5 thread

[Zoaelite]

I don't know about the algae out break Lorenzo, I think that has something more to do with excess nutrients over to much of a blue spectrum. Besides algae grows faster at a lower spectrum (around 6700k) while actinics occupy the 20K spectrum. I'm running the 8 fixture Tek 5 over my frag tank now with 3 actinics, 1 figi and 4 day lights and I love the color it brings out in my corals. The actinics add a "pop" to the florescent corals and I my favorite time to watch them is at dusk/ dawn for that exact purpose.
Levi

Originally Posted by lorenz0

All depends on what you want to do with the tank. Than again what fixture do you have?

also sounds like you have a good source for Giesemann bulbs. personally this is what I would do:

pure actinic
Fiji purple
aquablue+
actinic+
aquablue+
actinic+

This set up you will still get that blue glow from the tank. Stay away from to many pure actinic's. This is second hand info for me and i have no intentions of finding out but they cause crazy algae outbreaks.




I am starting to stray away from the 10k/midday bulbs. to me they are to white and running to many has been known to bleach out corals. Your on the right path with the aquablue+ (Giesemann or ATI) as they are similar to a 14,000k bulb. for an 8 bulb fixture, i would run the same set up as i listed above but add 1 more actinic+ and aquablue+

[lorenz0]

Well to me pure actinic's are a waste of a bulb now. after further researching your only gaining looks from them due to their low par output. But i do agree, the really do bring out the colors which is why i wish i could fit a larger fixture (lol 10 bulb with 2 pre actinics). As of now i am leaning more towars running a 50/50 ratio of 14,000k bulbs and 22,000k bulbs. why i like the 22,000k bulbs is they still benifit the corals with a great par reading but at the same time the really bring out the color, just not as good as the pure actinic's. As of today my new set up is:

aquascience blue
KZ fiji purple
KZ coral light new gen
Aquascience blue
KZ coral light new gen
Aquascience blue

I am going to run this for a month or 2 and see how it benifits the tank but i do wish i had 1 more bulb in there... or 2

[Zoaelite]

Keep in mind even with 6 bulbs your still getting ALOT of light. I went from the 4 to the 6 to the 8 bulb fixture just because I wanted my neighbors to think I had a hydroponics lab in my basement . Besides im seeing fantastic growth on my zoas and the color is amazing.
Levi