t5 HO bulbs

[theyangman]

Recommendations for 36" (39w) bulbs.

All four bulbs need to be the same, I am picking up 4 individual T5HO lights with reflectors (water proof end caps) with an icecap 660.

Just need to replace the bulbs in this thing to supplement my LEDS during peak hours. It isn't for good looking color at night or anything. Strictly to help the corals.

Might be a waste to run T5HO along side my LED's but it can't hurt right? Plus I am itching to buy crap.

Looking for specific bulb names, and places to snag em at.

It will also provide some light for the back of the tank which is kinda dark. Here is an underside view of my canopy and how I would set them up.

 

[spyd]

I would go all ATI Blue Plus. Or maybe sneak in an ATI Coral Plus or 2 for some additional coral growth... T5's in general grow SPS a lot better than straight LED.

 

[theyangman]

Blue plus? I don't want this for any coloration for "prettier" viewing. The LED's have that in spades.

I strictly want this for SPS growth.

 

[spyd]

You can go all Coral Plus. They work fantastic for growing SPS. Then you would want a lot more blue coming from your LEDs.

 

[Reef Hero]

Tony,

Im an ati guy so im gonna say go with ati bulbs for sure.....
Imo you will need to go with either all 4 the same or two and two......basically you need to keep both sides of the tank the same.....going with just one bulb of anything is not going to work.
I would suggest ati coral plus up front and ati blue plus at back.....but at the end of the day its your tank.... coral plus give good par for sps but so do blue plus..... coral plus will give a much whiter look.

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

i have 6 new 36 inch bulbs still in the tube from brs. i know there is 2 purple plus bulbs  2 aquablue special ATI.  at te time i ordered them i was goin for the free shipping.  and there was no ATI in the other color range  so the other 2 Are super blue koraleen zucht bulbs    i have a new led fixture. so i dont need these new bulbs

 

[jroovers]

I would go all ATI Blue Plus. Or maybe sneak in an ATI Coral Plus or 2 for some additional coral growth... T5's in general grow SPS a lot better than straight LED.

Blue plus? I don't want this for any coloration for \"prettier\" viewing. The LED's have that in spades.

I strictly want this for SPS growth.

Derek's recommendation is a good one IMO.  The blue plus really aren't that blue, I think you are envisioning actinics.  The blue plus kick out the most par bang for the buck but don't look overbearing.

I would do all Blue Pluses, all Coral Pluses, or if you are really looking for some peak daylight k go with something in the 12k spectrum.  I added two UVL 12k bulbs in addition to my two coral pluses and two strips of RB crees, and the growth has been terrific.  The colour looks pretty awesome too, although I'll eventually move back to two or three blue pluses plus one or two coral pluses.  But my goal is growth, and I think something lower k relatively helps achieve that goal.

IMO for what its worth I think it is a good idea to supplement your LEDs with T5 for SPS, certainly won't hurt.  With the unit in the middle and the T5s on the outside, you'll likely have some spots that get different lighting than others front to back, would be interested to see what it looks like.

 

[theyangman]

I picked up 4 10k bulbs from big als fired em up. Kinda yellowy.

Coral life bulbs

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 4

 

[jroovers]

I picked up 4 10k bulbs from big als fired em up. Kinda yellowy.

Coral life bulbs

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 4

I'm sure you can balance them out with your T5s.  If you are starting to grow SPS just now, I wouldn't worry really about the colour too too much, I would focus on overall par, coverage, coral placement, and above all else water parameters.  I would leave them in there and see how your corals do, and you can always swap them out later if you don't like the look of the colour.

 

[theyangman]

They only fire up for about 4 hours mid day. The leds are on a cycle all day.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 4

 

[theyangman]

[quote author=theyangman link=topic=6127.msg59163#msg59163 date=1377701944]
I picked up 4 10k bulbs from big als fired em up. Kinda yellowy.

Coral life bulbs

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 4

I'm sure you can balance them out with your T5s.  If you are starting to grow SPS just now, I wouldn't worry really about the colour too too much, I would focus on overall par, coverage, coral placement, and above all else water parameters.  I would leave them in there and see how your corals do, and you can always swap them out later if you don't like the look of the colour.
[/quote]

What T5's do you have again Jordan?

 

[Reef Hero]

Haha if you think that is yellow, you should try a 6500k lol...... one reefer i know uses  one 6500 and swears it gives him amazing sps growth....i tried one for a bit but couldnt stand it.

 

[theyangman]

I really just like how it lights up the entire tank. I find that with the LED's I don't get the same spread of light and the back of the tank looks kinda blah and dark. With the T5's the entire thing can be seen and I can really see that I have neglected the back glass.... lol it needs a cleaning.

 

[jroovers]

Right now I have two 12k UVL's and two ATI Coral +'s.

 

[theyangman]

Where did you get your ATI coral +'s?

 

[jroovers]

Bill at IA

 

[unibob]

Where did you get your ATI coral +'s?

I get and will continue to get all my ATI bulbs from Ocean Aquatics in Hamilton.

 

[theyangman]

Jesus. Hamilton is kinda far for bulbs. Lol

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 4

 

[unibob]

Better pricing, and I don't feel like I was bitten when I leave but yea it is kinda far.

 

[jroovers]

I think a lot of places will ship right to your door as well