T5 and Coral Colour

[evan-beachouse-45]

I have a T5 lamp to grow my coral in my nano reef and I want my coral colours to pop like I see in other reefs. Any suggestions?

 

[Triggreef]

All blue bulbs

 

[DLuce510]

How many bulbs?

 

[evan-beachouse-45]

2

 

[Triggreef]

I have 12 t5 over my 4x3 tank. 8 blue 2 actinic 2 white. Still not quite as much pop as when I had 100% leds.

 

[LetItReef]

These might help:

 

[DLuce510]

I guess if it was me, I would go with coral+ and blue+. That would give you good growth and color, but to put a actinic (which really gives that pop) would be a waste, I doubt you would have enough par.

 

[Triggreef]

I had it all ironed out of what I wanted to switch out on my own setup, about half way through each video. But toward the end it all became a blur and I have to go back to my original comment, all blue bulbs.

 

[DLuce510]

I think a important question which has been overlooked is, what kind of corals are you trying to grow?

 

[evan-beachouse-45]

Zoas, montis and like mostly softies

 

[Ewilson]

Im doing on a 8 bulb ati sunpower
5 blue+
2 coral+
1 actinic

 

[evan-beachouse-45]

Should I just buy a cheap LED strip?

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Led and t5 combo for the win. Excellent growth and color in my opinion.

 

[evan-beachouse-45]

T5 for growing and led for showing?

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I run kessil LEDs which I have had no issues growing under. I just prefer adding the t5 to supplement or vice versa to fill any shadowing. But, as a whole, the combo of the two has been fantastic.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I run 2 kessil a160we, 1 ati blue+, 1 ati coral+, and two zoo med 420nm actinic I had lying around that I plan to swap for more ati once they die off. All over a 4' 90

 

[DLuce510]

Should I just buy a cheap LED strip?

Yes, royal blue led's with your preferred combo t5 bulbs should do the trick.