ATI sunpower with mild hybrid

[ChrisfromBrick]

here is an ATI sunpower 36” that is 9” off the glass. Also in the back is a meso blue quanta bar.
The t5 setup is all blue plus and one coral plus. I’m thinking of playing around and throwing in an actinic for fun to see if it makes a difference.
I am incredibly pleased with its color as well as its coverage. Curious to see how the acropora reacts over the next few days. Seeing 400 par at highest corals and 180-200 at sand bed.
It replaced 2 kessil 360’s which were disappointing i terms of PAR.

 

[Science/G]

The actinic has lower par, and will look dull in terms of brightness. It will however provide that near UV spectrum though, which may increase some color in your SPS. I just traded one actinic out for a purple plus bulb in my 4 bulb hybrid. It's much brighter and I like the color it adds. 2 Blue+,1 actinic,1 purple+. The corals seem to like it as well. My alkalinity consumption over the week increased.

 

[Science/G]

 

[Science/G]

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

The actinic has lower par, and will look dull in terms of brightness. It will however provide that near UV spectrum though, which may increase some color in your SPS. I just traded one actinic out for a purple plus bulb in my 4 bulb hybrid. It's much brighter and I like the color it adds. 2 Blue+,1 actinic,1 purple+. The corals seem to like it as well. My alkalinity consumption over the week increased.

thank you- i’m going to try it.

 

[Science/G]

That meso blue is giving you a nice peak similar to what the true actinic will provide. I think if you want to get a little more visually,but not change the overall look that much, the purple plus may be the best choice.

 

[spsick]

That Meso Blue bar puts out more than 4 actinic bulbs. I’d have a couple coral plus bulbs in the T5 instead.

EDIT: Purple Plus is also a good choice and I love the look of it. It just has the downside of a large drop in output past 6 months like the actinic, where the coral and blue plus barely lose any output at 12 months.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

question- any recommendations for a moonlight to stick over this tank?