T5 bulb configuration... need some input

[chris88]

I like your idea of staggering the bulb times but i think you might like it more visually if you did the traditional blues on first then white bulbs on second.
The fiji purple is a strong bulb and if you run it with just one other bulb or even just two other bulbs the color comes out very pink and kind of funky. Most people suggest running it with a minimum of 1-5. 1 fiji or actinic white with 5 other bulb/white bulbs to keep the color realistic.

If I were you I would run it something like this. I don't know exactly how your lights come on and it what order but I am assuming you have the ability to control the lights in 2 bulbs at a time. So I would do the following.

Same combo for each half of the tank: If you tank is more than 18 inches deep run the lights for 12 hours. If you tank is 18 or shallower run them for 10hrs max.

2x ati blue plus 6am
1x ati blue plus + fiji purple 7am
1 x ati aqua blue + ati blue plus 8am
1x ati aqua blue + actinic white 9am

Reverse cycle and stagger the opposite.

There are a few benefits to something like this vs. 2 on then 6 on. You will visually mimic the suns brightness and pattern. Visually it’s not boring. You will be able to see 4 different color schemes with 4 different effects on the corals color. At any giving time during cycle you could see something different and you balance out the pinks of the fiji purple and actinic white. It is easier on the corals and fish as well, the sun doesn’t just have one strength and color. It changes based on the time of day and cloud cover. Let me know what you end up going with because i would love to see some pictures. I have used all of these bulbs and I think you will be happy with the.

[The Grizz]

I like this idea chris and yes I can control 2 light at a time.

[The Grizz]

"tank is 18 or shallower run them for 10hrs max."

So I totally get your combination, so the 10 hrs max would that be from the time the first set of bulbs come on to when the last set of bulbs go off.

[chris88]

T5's dont penetrate very well in deep tanks so to make up for the lack up PAR you would just run your bulbs longer. When there is an excess of PAR usually from MH or T5 in shallow tanks there can actually be a negative effect on growth and color from running your lights to long. 12hrs is usually the longest ideal time to run them, some people have great results with 8 or less hours. I run my T5's for 12hrs with my Ati blue plus' and 10hrs with my full lights on. When i replace my bulbs next week i will lower this to 10hrs blue plus and 8hrs full lights for the first few weeks to help acclimate the corals and then slowly bring it back to the old regime. You can always plus with the time a bit you might be supprised that lowering the light time might give you better results. I have found in my current tank the 10-12hrs works best for growth.

My lighting schedule looks like this in my 50g with 6 t5's

10am - 9:30 pm 2x ati blue plus
11am - 8:00 pm 3x ati blue plus 2x ati aqua blue 1x actinic white

[The Grizz]

Cool with my tank being 18" deep and 8' long I will start of lower and bump a bit at a time for the first couple weeks.

Thanks man this is a big help, you sound like you have done a lot of research on lighting.

[chris88]

I do a lot of researching just out of pure curiosity. I have been using t5’s for a few years and have done a lot of experimenting with bulbs and time patterns. Plus, I have read just about every t5 article on this site and reef central out of pure boredom lol. I hope this helps and in the end experimenting results in the best results. You may end up playing with your bulb combo and lighting schedule a few times before you get it exactly how you like it.

[Red Coral Aquariums]

I can recommend a bulb selection based on what I use and the most popular combination's that I sell for 8 bulb.

2 x Kz Super Blue or ATI Blue +
3 x Kz Coral lite 11K or ATI Aqua-blue 12K or Giesemann Aqua Blue 11K
2 x Kz Coral lite New Gen 15k
1 x Kz Fiji Purple

[chris88]

That is a great combination but it is going to come out very white and not make the colors pop as much as is there were a bit more blue into it. I like a very realistic color as well, but i find the extra blue really colors up sps, lps, and zoanthids. if i were going to run a softy tank i would go the route you suggested hands down.

[lorenz0]

your original bulb configuration would be the best

try not to run to many bulbs between 17,500 - 22,000k ratings. These bulbs are great for color from your corals but you will loose growth rate with them. Run a set up like that down the road when your growth rate is to much and everything is getting crowed.

Its the joy with t5's, but right now i am really content with the output of growth and color.

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by Red Coral Aquariums

I can recommend a bulb selection based on what I use and the most popular combination's that I sell for 8 bulb.

2 x Kz Super Blue or ATI Blue +
3 x Kz Coral lite 11K or ATI Aqua-blue 12K or Giesemann Aqua Blue 11K
2 x Kz Coral lite New Gen 15k
1 x Kz Fiji Purple

Thanks Kevin I was hoping you would jump in with the combination you where telling me about.

Originally Posted by chris88

That is a great combination but it is going to come out very white and not make the colors pop as much as is there were a bit more blue into it. I like a very realistic color as well, but i find the extra blue really colors up sps, lps, and zoanthids. if i were going to run a softy tank i would go the route you suggested hands down.

My tank is all LPS, Softies, Zoa and clams with only a couple SPS that I have been able to keep alive.

Originally Posted by lorenz0

your original bulb configuration would be the best

try not to run to many bulbs between 17,500 - 22,000k ratings. These bulbs are great for color from your corals but you will loose growth rate with them. Run a set up like that down the road when your growth rate is to much and everything is getting crowed.

Its the joy with t5's, but right now i am really content with the output of growth and color.

Are you talking about the combination from the start of the thread?