T-5 bulbs, PAR rating, what bulbs to use, etc....

prsnlty

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That's what i did also. I mixed mine. My T5s are on 10am to 6 pm and my sol blues ramp up and down as always, 8am to 10pm w/ moon setting until 1am. I like this much better.
 

ColaAddict

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Anyone here still use t5 actinic bulbs? Whats the best brand t5 actinic out there?
I'm referring to real actinic bulbs 420 nm, not blue bulbs.
 

nova65ss

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Got a pic with just actinics on? I've never used them before. Thanks.
I have the ATI led hybrid and it has 2 channels 4 bulbs run each channel. My morning channel is 2 actinic 2 blue plus. I dont like the look of the straight actinic by themselves.
 

-Logzor

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I use 4 ATI actinics in my 8 bulb fixtute.

Anyone here still use t5 actinic bulbs? Whats the best brand t5 actinic out there?
I'm referring to real actinic bulbs 420 nm, not blue bulbs.

I run 3 ATI actinics in my 7 bulb fixture. I also run two XHO blue reefbrites along the side. Ever since moving towards heavier actinic and the reefbrites my coral growth and color have never been better.
 

ColaAddict

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Does it matter which side of the fixture the labeled side of the T5 bulb is on?
 

mbmax

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I have a 10 bulb t5 fixture in my 150 gl (red sea max 650) and I am looking for sugestions in bulb combo. I have mostly sps. they are growing fine but I would like to try something else that might help to pop the colours. .....any sugestions?
 

SunnyX

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I have a 10 bulb t5 fixture in my 150 gl (red sea max 650) and I am looking for sugestions in bulb combo. I have mostly sps. they are growing fine but I would like to try something else that might help to pop the colours. .....any sugestions?
Hello,

With a 10 bulb fixture I would run:

6 ATI Blue+
4 ATI Aquablue Special

With this combo you'll be able to grow anything, and your corals will color up nicely.
 

kschweer

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I have a 10 bulb t5 fixture in my 150 gl (red sea max 650) and I am looking for sugestions in bulb combo. I have mostly sps. they are growing fine but I would like to try something else that might help to pop the colours. .....any sugestions?

Here's a link to ati with their bulb suggestions that is helpful.
http://www.atinorthamerica.com/faq.php
 

s2nhle

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bkweibley

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So if you guys had a 4- T5 and 2- 150 watt metal haliade light over a 90 gallon bowfront and wanted growth but also the best color pop possible what bulbs would you use?
 

DogueDeBordeaux

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Hello,

With a 10 bulb fixture I would run:

6 ATI Blue+
4 ATI Aquablue Special

With this combo you'll be able to grow anything, and your corals will color up nicely.

SunnyX,

have you ever ran the coral+ bub? Does the Aquablue Special have more par than coral+?
 

Tabasco1

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I've read through a bunch of pages on here, but didn't find any recommendations for how high off the water is recommended for t5 fixtures.

Any guidelines for how high?

Let's say... for instance... 24" 6 bulb ATI dimmable sunpower on a 24" deep cube tank?
 

SunnyX

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SunnyX,

have you ever ran the coral+ bub? Does the Aquablue Special have more par than coral+?
Hello,

I can't comment on PAR, as I've never bothered to measure it. The Aquablue Special's do a great job so I've never had a reason to change them out for something else.
 

jeremy

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I've read through a bunch of pages on here, but didn't find any recommendations for how high off the water is recommended for t5 fixtures.

Any guidelines for how high?

Let's say... for instance... 24" 6 bulb ATI dimmable sunpower on a 24" deep cube tank?

It kind of depends on how your rocks are setup. But I run an 8 bulb on a 24 inch deep tank and fixture is 9 inches above water. A good starting point would be 8 or 9 inches and see how your corals react and adjust up or down from there.
 

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