Going bluer with my T5 light fixture.

[mfinn]

I hope it's not too blue ! We shall see very soon !.

On both my tanks I use all Blue Plus.
On my 50 it's 6x 24 watt Blue Plus and a diy led blue strip.
On my 233 I use a 8 x 60 watt Blue Plus, and 2x 60" XHO Reef Brite blues.

 

[cracker]

mfinn, Thanks for sharing your experience with me . I'm undecided how I will change the bulbs yet. Just took par readings . I got an average of 155 on the bottom & 180 at the top of my rock pile. a little over 1/2 to the water surface. It had it's brighter spots here & there on the right side of the tank. I'm using an Apogee par meter . Also very interested to see just how much blue I get !

 

[tehmadreefer]

Brs has a video on par loss over time and its actually not all that much of a loss. To the point they can actually recommend running bulbs for about 13-14 months. So, I'd have no issues with just replacing them all at once.

 

[cracker]

Thanks for the reply. That reassures me I can do them all at once. If I do Can get a par reading & compare .

 

[cracker]

Evening Folks , I'm about ti inst these new bulbs ! Now is the best time to try all blue plus bulbs to see how I like it . If I do, I 'll just order 2 more blue bulbs . No big deal at all. What do You think?
Situations like this is why I like R2R. I can share what I'm doing .get opinions etc. I'm going to try all blue's regardless but this is like sharing with friends ! Thanks

 

[cracker]

I'm really liking the color with all blues ! I need to see for a few day to make sure . Ok I have a serious question. How many hours a day . Do You run your lights? I'm under the impression that 12 hours a day is proper . This is based on the fact that most corals grow in warmer seas near the equator. The natural sun up sun down is 12 hours .
I want the lighting to turn on later in the morning & turn off later in the evening like 1o:00 pm . Any OP's would be very helpful.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Where’s the pic?..

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Did I say Where’s the pic?.. yet :)

 

[tehmadreefer]

All blue plus? That's really really blue!

 

[mfinn]

I'm really liking the color with all blues ! I need to see for a few day to make sure . Ok I have a serious question. How many hours a day . Do You run your lights? I'm under the impression that 12 hours a day is proper . This is based on the fact that most corals grow in warmer seas near the equator. The natural sun up sun down is 12 hours .
I want the lighting to turn on later in the morning & turn off later in the evening like 1o:00 pm . Any OP's would be very helpful.

I have my T5's on for a total of 10 hours.
2 bulbs for 10 hours and the other 6 for 6 hours.

 

[cracker]

I'm thinking it's not too blue will have to observe for a couple days .

Where’s the pic?..

Sorry will have to wait for pics.

 

[cracker]

Thanks Mfinn ! that does sound more reasonable than 12 . Ok I got channel 1 setup & going . Will move on to channel 2 hoping I don't screwing it up ! LOL

 

[mfinn]

And I know you will get a little grief if you stay with all Blue + bulbs. I do, but I tell people it's what I like for my tank.
I don't do this for anybody else but me.

And it really isn't that blue in person.
Getting a camera with the right white balance is probably the only way to get pictures that really represent what it looks like.

 

[cracker]

@mfinn OK , I took your advice & went to 10 hrs total lights on. Channel 10 hours Channel 2 for 6 hrs . We shall see ! I don't a rats fur if I get grief .
I did all the work so I get to keep it where I want. within reason of course . it's really not that blue anyway. I did think about getting decent pics . That is the only thing. After all if this is the case , I have 2 bulbs to change too much blue .

 

[tehmadreefer]

Who cares who gives ya grief its YOUR tank. Personally I have used a 6 bulb all blue plus and personally it was way to blue for me.

I current run 4b+, 2 coral +, 1 actinic and 1 purple plus.

Next order I'm nixing the actinic and throwing in an aquablue special

I run mine all 8 bulbs from 11am to 730 PM. 4 for sunrise from 10am to 11am and a sunset 4 bulb setting from 730pm to 830pm

 

[cracker]

Thanks ! I can't tell yet if it's too blue . Will take me a couple of days . My 'big" concern is if I'm supplying proper light for the corals to live.

 

[Scorpius]

2 blue+
2 ati actinic
2 coral plus

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

Your thread just cracks me up lol. Good lord where is the pic of the smurf blue tank? I’m dying to see it, let’s see alresdy as well all drool.

Personally I get grief all the time and a lot of it because of the leds I use. But my tank does great and I love how it looks. I’m glad that you keep what you like, because that’s what makes it your tank.

 

[cracker]

Thanks Scorpius , I think that's the white with hint of blue on the ati bulb chart .
Also , seeing how I took 2 hours off lights on time . It's going to help with this HA outbreak I have .

 

[cracker]

. @ Sarah24 It really isn't all that blue , If the light actually turns on, I'll take some pics for You tomorrow ! Gotta promise not to mention all the algae !
Ps Smurf blue ? Hummfff !