Par levels for ATI bulbs

dunamis227

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Hey everyone, I have a small 25 gallon tank with alot of low light lps. Right now my light is producing maybe 50-75 par. I want to buy a 2 foot t5 fixture to put over the tank, but was wondering what the par each bulb produces is, so I could match the current par of my system. Thanks.
 

piranhaman00

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The great thing about t5 is there isn’t too much light. You will be fine with any combo, however that combo will look dreadful, at least use 2 coral plus. Corals need white light
 
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dunamis227

dunamis227

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The great thing about t5 is there isn’t too much light. You will be fine with any combo, however that combo will look dreadful, at least use 2 coral plus. Corals need white light
they dont need white light (ignoring the fact that actinic and blue plus DO have other colors besides strictly blue in the spectrum), jason fox runs only blue and uv on his coral tanks, I doubt it will look bad
but I will consider 1 coral plus over one of the actinic
 
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saltytanked

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they dont need white light (ignoring the fact that actinic and blue plus DO have other colors besides strictly blue in the spectrum), jason fox runs only blue and uv on his coral tanks, I doubt it will look bad but I will consider 1 coral plus over one of the actinic

Yes they do and yes it will
 

coral reeftank

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I’ve done 2 blue plus and 2 actinic as supplements to my led lights. The color combo of them on is not the most appealing to my eye, but you may like it. It won’t be anything like the royal blue led look if that’s what you’re after.

You’ll need some white supplements
to visually balance out the 2 blue and 2 actinic. Ideally swapping out one actinic for a coral plus bulb would provide you a crisper white/blue look.

The corals will do fine under that combination, and 4 t5s will be plenty of light par wise for your setup.
 
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dunamis227

dunamis227

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I’ve done 2 blue plus and 2 actinic as supplements to my led lights. The color combo of them on is not the most appealing to my eye, but you may like it. It won’t be anything like the royal blue led look if that’s what you’re after.

You’ll need some white supplements
to visually balance out the 2 blue and 2 actinic. Ideally swapping out one actinic for a coral plus bulb would provide you a crisper white/blue look.

The corals will do fine under that combination, and 4 t5s will be plenty of light par wise for your setup.
Thank you! I will look into the coral plus however I was not after the royal blue look
 

Cichlid Dad

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Btw, my current plan is 2x true actinic and 2x blue plus
You would be happier running 2b+ true actinic and a coral +. Par level is adjustable by raising or lowering the fixture. With the combo you are suggesting you will miss some of the most awesome colors. T5 doesn't glow coral like LED. I run all t5 and with all b+ and 1 Actinic it looks pail and not colorful at all.
 
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dunamis227

dunamis227

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You would be happier running 2b+ true actinic and a coral +. Par level is adjustable by raising or lowering the fixture. With the combo you are suggesting you will miss some of the most awesome colors. T5 doesn't glow coral like LED. I run all t5 and with all b+ and 1 Actinic it looks pail and not colorful at all.
okay thank you
 

saltytanked

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All t5 baby
IMG_2937.jpeg
 

Cichlid Dad

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He said the par will be good for my setup. That is what the entire post is about
I run a 6 bulb over a 4ft 75. I have 250+ about 6 inches from the water level lights 12 inches above that. I have 100+ at the bottom of the tank.
 

Miami Reef

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You can do a mix of blue plus and actinic if you like the look. The blue plus and actinic has some yellow and green in the spectrum, so it won’t look like the black light LEDs the cool kids use these days.

You can also get 1 or 2 coral plus to play with the spectrum. Trying to fine tune the light to your personal preference is pretty enjoyable, especially if you’ve never seen T5s in person.

There’s no need for snarky remarks in this thread. Let’s remain civil.
 
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dunamis227

dunamis227

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You can do a mix of blue plus and actinic if you like the look. The blue plus and actinic has some yellow and green in the spectrum, so it won’t look like the black light LEDs the cool kids use these days.

You can also get 1 or 2 coral plus to play with the spectrum. Trying to fine tune the light to your personal preference is pretty enjoyable, especially if you’ve never seen T5s in person.

There’s no need for snarky remarks in this thread. Let’s remain civil.
bulbs are so cheap ill just get a coral plus and purple plus as well and try all the combos on my tank
 

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