T5 color combo?

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Slyguy00

So after reading about t5 and different bulbs and colour combos I'm more confused now then ever. Iv always had led and just switched to T5 (for now) so I know nothing about them. It seems everybody runs different colour combos and setups. How do you know what is best for coral growth and coloration? Is it all personal preference? There are so many different types, brands, and spectrums to choose from I don't know where to start. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

How many bulbs?

[Slyguy00]

Sorry guess that would help. Its a 6 bulb fixture.

[mrhasan]

I like spectrum between 14000 to 16000k. 10000k would give you the best growth while actinics five the pop. Bulb manufacturers have blue bulbs (not purely actinic), which, unlike actinic, gives some good par depending on the reflector. So you will see most of the people use blues instead of actinic. Then theres purple/pink which helps with the color pop. I have used 3 blue, 2 10000k and 1 fiji pink. That gives a 14000k look. Now I use 4 blues, 1 10000k and 1 fiji pink. This gives a pleasant 16000k look. Growth wont be an issue unless you use actinic since they are supplemental spectrum.

Kz and ati are rhe best out there. KZ is expensive but throws out a bit more par. But I dont think you will notice any difference to justify the extra cost. I just grab whichever is available. HTH

[LoJack]

ATI and KZ make the best bulbs hands down.

It comes down to preference to an extent, but par values are important too. Actinics have almost no par, where as a Blue+ is one of the highest par bulbs they have and has a very similar lumenescent effect of a actinic.

I run an 8 Bulb fixture, with 2 Blue + on a seperate ballast which comes on 2 hours before my other 6 bulbs, and runs two hours longer than the other 6 as well.

The other 6 are two ATI Aquablue Specials, 1 Coral+, 1 Purple+, and one more Blue+

I get about a 12-14k look with these bulbs which is what I'm shooting for. Adding more blue+ bulbs would get you closer to the 20K look, and more ABS's would add a bit more of a yellow spectrum, and the Coral+ and Purple+ adds the purple color.

[gregzz4]

Nick, I had trouble making up my mind when I setup my 8 bulb, but knew I didnt want a lot of blue; I prefer a bright, natural look.

So to cover the spectrums for growth and looks, I went with;
2 Superblue
2 Coral Light 10K
3 Coral Light II 14K
1 Fiji Purple

I control each of my 4 ballasts independantly and have played around with the timers over the last 20+ months to balance growth against our viewing times

[Slyguy00]

Thanks for all the input guys. I appreciate it. Quite helpful.

[MMAX]

On mine I've been using 3 Super Blues(20,000K), 1 Fiji Purple, 2 Coral Lights(10,000K) and 2 New Generations(14,000K). I prefer more of a bluer look and the Super Blues get me there.