T5 bulb help plz

Stoneyman · Jun 22, 2014

Hi guys. Hoping for some 2 cents here. I have a 180 gal sps tank with an 8 bulb T5 kit. I just put a fresh set of ATI bulbs in and a day later ive lost all polyp extension in the majority of colonies. And im not sure im liking the colors on some colonies.

Here is whAt i have now: blue plus x 4, coral plus x 1, aquablue special x 1, actinic x 1, and purple plus x 1. The old combo i used didnt have actinic or aquablue special. Had one more blue plus and one more coral plus. Polyp extension was good. Color was decent. Why i changed the lineup? Thought i coukd get more color out of a new combo. Trial and error i guess.

Should i go back to same combo or stay the course and chalk it up to fresh bulbs and the corals just got stung a bit by the new sunlight? Id really appreciate any input thanks in advance!

All Delight · Jun 22, 2014

Perhaps your acros are in shock from the new bulbs. If you replaced all 8 bulbs at once, which sounds like you did, the par is probably a lot higher.

When I replace my bulbs, I do 2 at a time, to ease the transition.

Stoneyman · Jun 22, 2014

Jeez louis that makes a ton of sense. Hindsight is always so crystal clear. Thanks for reading and the advice.

prsnlty · Jun 22, 2014

I've added jut two new ati bulbs to my leds and it did the same thing. I turned them on for only an hour for a few days, then 2 hours the next few days and so on. It helped in my case.

Stoneyman · Jun 22, 2014

Im gonna disconnect a few bulbs and gradually bring them back

kv69 · Jun 22, 2014

I didn't like the color the aqua blue put off. I run 2 actinics, 4 blue plus, purple and a coral plus. try to put one of your old blue plus or actinic( if you have one) back in. +1 for changing 2 at a time, or raise your lights if you can. I have mine 9" inches above the water. 32" deep tank.

jeremy · Jun 22, 2014

Yeah fast changes like that are bad with acros. Your colors aren't gonna Chang fast either. Colors are affected by lots of things so be patient and do gradual changes. And I think your original combo was good bulbs might have been a little old. When I do bulb change I do 2 bulbs every 4-5 days. Good luck.