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Advice? lighting

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by jayt, Dec 11, 2015.

  1. jayt Well-Known ReefKeeper

    329
    Harpers Ferry, IA
    Ratings:
    +23 / 0 / -0
    Setting up a 7 foot 210. Will be running 2 black boxes, whites and blues only. Have a 4 foot t5 that will go in the middle. Should I try different bulbs so I have a broader color spectrum or just stick with white and blue?
     
  2. jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    Toledo Iowa
    Ratings:
    +40 / 1 / -0
    How many bulbs? If it's 8 like the one I have I'd go 2 coral plus 1 purple and 5 blue plus. All ati. I live the growth and color of ati.
     
  3. jayt Well-Known ReefKeeper

    329
    Harpers Ferry, IA
    Ratings:
    +23 / 0 / -0
    It's a 4 bulb. Original idea was to buy 2 fixtures to go with my leds and offset then, and I will still probably buy another fixture at some point.
     
  4. Zach Well-Known ReefKeeper

    605
    Coralville, Iowa
    Ratings:
    +21 / 0 / -0
    You cant go wrong with T5ho's they still perform the best color spread and blending, and depending on who you ask, are still the best for color and growth/health of corals. TBH, they are stil;l nearly as cheap and efficient as LED's at this point. People quickly point out that LED's are more cost effective... BUT In reality... The LEDs are up to 365+ watts a unit at full plus fans... Really with a T5 system you are looking at like, maybe 50 watts more a year... At any rate! in a 4 bulb set up, I would run; Aquablue Special, Coralplus, True actinic, and a purple plus. That will give you a nice blue red green mix and a nice pink pop to corals who have it.
     
  5. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    I think once you figure in bulb replacement cost is where most of the "savings" figures come from. But look at how often a lot of people switch LED fixtures and any savings is quickly blown away.

    T5s are great. You can't go wrong with blue plus bulbs. Being that your LEDs are just white and blue you may want something more towards the purple spectrum as well. A purple plus or even a true actinic.
     
  6. jayt Well-Known ReefKeeper

    329
    Harpers Ferry, IA
    Ratings:
    +23 / 0 / -0
    I ended up going 1 aqua blue, 1 coral plus and 2 actinic. But will be paired with 2 led fixtures when fully setup. Just started the cycle 2 weeks ago
     
  7. jeremy Acro Addict

    Davenport, IA
    Ratings:
    +836 / 4 / -0

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