Hi All,
I have LEDs as my primary lighting (3 Noopsyche K7 fixtures). I'm adding two T5 bulbs (and I already tested a few variants) to go with the LEDs primarily to provide a little better coverage / supplemental lighting for my corals (softies, LPS, and SPS). So I'm considering these options and have questions about them:
* ATI Actinic: Are these going to be the best for coral health, coloration and growth? They don't add much visible brightness to the tank, add a little bit of pop, but not much compared to the LEDs. But if they're best for coral coloration and growth, I'll go with two of them.
* ATI Blue Plus: I know these area a favorite for their look, but I prefer the look of the LEDs alone, so I'm not as concerned about the look. They add more pop than the Actinic (but not very noticeable with the LEDs on). They should be good for coral health, coloration and growth, but maybe not as good as Actinic?
* ATI Purple Plus: Not really any better than Actinic or Blue Plus for coloration and growth? At any rate, it's a purple look, a little white, and doesn't give as much pop as the other two. I don't like the look with the LEDs.
* ATI Coral Plus: Not as good for coloration and growth, right? At any rate, they're pretty white (less than Aquablue Special) and don't look that good with the LEDs.
So, I'm planning on one of these options:
A. 2x Actinic. Best option for coloration and growth?
B. 1x Actinic, 1x Blue Plus. I was planning on this route, but there's the windex look and (while not a big deal) a bit of color differences from front to back of tank (one in front of LEDs, one behind). And if A is better for coloration and growth, maybe just go that rotue.
C. 2x Blue Plus. I'd do this if you all think Blue Plus is actually better for coloration and growth, but my understanding is actinic bulbs are (although Blue Plus gives corals more visible pop)?
Thanks for your thoughts!
--Kyle
I have LEDs as my primary lighting (3 Noopsyche K7 fixtures). I'm adding two T5 bulbs (and I already tested a few variants) to go with the LEDs primarily to provide a little better coverage / supplemental lighting for my corals (softies, LPS, and SPS). So I'm considering these options and have questions about them:
* ATI Actinic: Are these going to be the best for coral health, coloration and growth? They don't add much visible brightness to the tank, add a little bit of pop, but not much compared to the LEDs. But if they're best for coral coloration and growth, I'll go with two of them.
* ATI Blue Plus: I know these area a favorite for their look, but I prefer the look of the LEDs alone, so I'm not as concerned about the look. They add more pop than the Actinic (but not very noticeable with the LEDs on). They should be good for coral health, coloration and growth, but maybe not as good as Actinic?
* ATI Purple Plus: Not really any better than Actinic or Blue Plus for coloration and growth? At any rate, it's a purple look, a little white, and doesn't give as much pop as the other two. I don't like the look with the LEDs.
* ATI Coral Plus: Not as good for coloration and growth, right? At any rate, they're pretty white (less than Aquablue Special) and don't look that good with the LEDs.
So, I'm planning on one of these options:
A. 2x Actinic. Best option for coloration and growth?
B. 1x Actinic, 1x Blue Plus. I was planning on this route, but there's the windex look and (while not a big deal) a bit of color differences from front to back of tank (one in front of LEDs, one behind). And if A is better for coloration and growth, maybe just go that rotue.
C. 2x Blue Plus. I'd do this if you all think Blue Plus is actually better for coloration and growth, but my understanding is actinic bulbs are (although Blue Plus gives corals more visible pop)?
Thanks for your thoughts!
--Kyle