Better lighting bulbs...

[pinstripes]

I have 48 Inch Current USA lighting system which has (4) 460 nm Actinic Slimpaq bulbs and (4) 10,000k t5 HO Lamps. I was wondering if I could do an upgrade on better bulbs for better coral growths ? Any recommendations? Bulbs are 54 watts each. thanks
:^:

pinstipes

 

[bullitt21]

you want to talk to reefreak.he's a ace on lighting.

 

[dustin_P74]

what kind of lighting do you want, a blue look or a white look

 

[pinstripes]

I guess I'll try a white look since my actinic give it blue look during nightime

 

[reeffreak]

Changing out the slimpaq bulbs will not only give it better color but increase PAR.

Here is mine(balanced but leans toward a blue)
ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue special 12k
ATI blue plus
GE6500k(next choice I'm going with a Fiji Purple)
UV Super Actinic
UV Aquasun 10k
ATI blue plus

ATI 14k bulb would be a good choice for the last bulb.

What look are you going for?
You can also leave an email at Reefgek.com for suggestions or give them a call.All the bulbs can be purchase there as well.

Good luck.

 

[pinstripes]

I'm just looking for something new. I just put corals in there and I would like some more growths out of them. I guess I would like a brighter look. Reeffreak, you have 8 different bulbs under one system?

 

[dustin_P74]

as long as they are 54 watts then it doesnt matter what brand bulb they are

 

[reeffreak]

I'm not sure I understand the question.

NO,I don't have 8 different types of bulbs.The ATI blue plus is x3,so that really just five different bulbs.I have a 14 bulb fixture/7 banks of bulbs.The bulbs I listed will give your tank more ''pop'' and better growth.All the bulbs listed put out more light then the slimpaqs.Whatever bulbs you choose stick with mostly UV,ATI.GE and Geismen make pretty good bulbs too.

 

[ccCapt]

as long as they are 54 watts then it doesnt matter what brand bulb they are

Brand makes a difference.
From.....T5 lamp PAR readings

ATI
Sun Pro 357
Aquablue 336
Blue Plus 311
Actinic 137

D&D/Giesemann
Midday 325
Aquablue 324
Actinic Plus 264
Pure Actinic 157

UVL
Aqua sun 345
Actinic White 293
Super Actinic 210

AquaZ
Sun Pro 285
Ocean Pro 323
Blue Pro 266

Helios
Daylight 309
Super Blue 225

Current Sun Paq
Daylight 10K 272
Blue 252

GE
Daylight 340

 

[dustin_P74]

Brand makes a difference.
From.....T5 lamp PAR readings

ATI
Sun Pro 357
Aquablue 336
Blue Plus 311
Actinic 137

D&D/Giesemann
Midday 325
Aquablue 324
Actinic Plus 264
Pure Actinic 157

UVL
Aqua sun 345
Actinic White 293
Super Actinic 210

AquaZ
Sun Pro 285
Ocean Pro 323
Blue Pro 266

Helios
Daylight 309
Super Blue 225

Current Sun Paq
Daylight 10K 272
Blue 252

GE
Daylight 340

i put that as a response to him saying "reeffreak, you have 8 different bulbs under one system?" and i read it wrong so i gave the wrong response

 

[reeffreak]

I Think that list should be a sticky.No offense to Pinstripe but I seem to answer the same question about a hundred times(not that I mind-that's all I'm good for)).

 

[dustin_P74]

(not that I mind-that's all I'm good for)).

you got that right:mrgreen:, so when are we gonna get together to start cutting our wrists and crying in a corner

 

[yote]

I Think that list should be a sticky.No offense to Pinstripe but I seem to answer the same question about a hundred times(not that I mind-that's all I'm good for)).

Well Reef,you are the T-5 bulb color expert:D

 

[d.french]

got these configuration from grim reefer on rc he is well know for knowing stuff on about t5's.


4 lamp 14K look

Front
Blue
Actinic (Can substitute UVL 75/25 for SPS tank on this or any other mixes listed)
Sun/Daylight
Blue (or Aquablue for a whiter look)

4 lamp 20K look

Blue
Actinic
Aquablue (or blue for stronger blue look)
Blue

5 lamp 14K

Blue
Actinic
Sun/Daylight
Blue
Aquablue

5 lamp 20K look

Blue
Actinic
Aquablue
Blue
Blue, Actinic, UVL 75/25, Aquablue (going from a more to less intense blue)

6 lamp 10K

Blue
Actinic
Sun/Daylight
Aquablue
Sun/Daylight, Aquablue
Blue


6 lamp 14K

Blue
Actinic
Sun/Daylight
Blue
Sun/Daylight, Aquablue
Blue

6 lamp 20K look

Blue
Actinic
Aquablue
Blue
Blue, UVL 75/25, Aquablue (going from more to less intense blue)
Blue


7 lamp SPS Mushroom Melter 10K look

Blue
Aquasun
UVL 75/25
Blue
Aquasun
Aquablue
Blue

7 lamp 14K look

Blue
Daylight/sun or ATI Pro Color
Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue
Aquablue or Sun/Daylight
Blue

7 lamp 15K More noticable blue

Blue
Actinic
Blue
Aquablue or UVL 75/25
Actinic
Aquablue or Blue
Blue

7 lamp 15K more blue with added red spectrum

Blue
Pro Color
Actinic
Blue
Blue
UVL 75/25
Blue

8 lamp 10K

Blue
Aquasun
Actinic
Blue
Aquasun
UVL 75/25
Aquablue
Blue

8 lamp 14K

Blue
Actinic
Daylight/sun
Blue
Daylight/sun
Blue
Aquablue
Blue


8 lamp 20K

Blue
Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue
Aquablue
Blue
Actinic
Blue

8 lamp “What did you put in my drink man?” Special
Looks like 20K with heavy actinics. Glows

Blue
UVL Super Actinic
Blue
Pro Color
UVL Super Actinic
Blue
UVL 75/25
Blue