pacific sun ultra wide uv T5

[The Opinionated Reefer]

I got a used 6 tube t5 unit that came with a few pacific sun tubes. One of them is a pacific sun ultra wide uv, what is the purposed of this tube and is it any good? I have also spectra plus and shallow water. Are these tubes any good for much?

 

[paal]

"PS Spectra plus" is equivalent to "ATI coral+"
"PS Shallow water" is equivalent to "ATI aquablue special"

"PS Ultrawide UV" is much more special. I don't think any other manufacturer makes anything similar. It covers a very wide range as seen from the attached picture.

In my personal opinion, this bulb simply has too much green in it and I feel it becomes too dominating. It puts out a strong dark-green/turquoise color. I bought two of them with my lamp over three years ago; they are the only bulbs I have not ended up using so far. All other PS-T5s have been great though. (both the ones you mentioned and the "Crystal Blue" (ATI Blue+ equivalent) and "Pigment Int" (ATI Purple+ equivalent)

With T5s I don't really think you can do much "wrong" though. I guess you can optimize a little bit, but unless this is for a frag tank or something like that, I would simply focus on getting a combination you think look good.

 

[The Opinionated Reefer]

I noticed the dark-green/turquoise color but does it have any value in growing corals above other tubes?

 

[paal]

I'm sure it has both strengths and weaknesses compared to other tubes, and it will depend on which others you combine it with.

However, this is just nitpicking I feel. Like I said above; with T5s, I truly think you can just choose whichever bulbs YOU think look good. As long as you have enough of them, the corals should be happy light-wise.
I mean... who cares if you can make the corals grow marginally faster if you don't like the ambient look/color of your tank?

...and that is the only reason I don't run them myself; I simply do not like the way they look, but I'm sure my corals wouldn't mind at all.

FWIW: Currently running 4xBlue+, 2xActinic, 2x6000K