T5 help

Pslreefer · 04/24/2018, 08:00 PM

So I added a 6 bulb 4ft Hamilton T5 fixture today on a 180. It sits about 9 inches over the tank. I haven’t put the leds on the ends yet but when I turned on the fixture on the sps colors just looked like complete poo, bland, faded, yuck!

The bulbs are all blue plus with one actinic in the middle. Would that be the reason? The sand corals under the mars aqua were sooooo much better looking.

What’s going on?

Pslreefer · 04/24/2018, 08:24 PM

I’m thinking just too much blue as it looks like when I turn all the blues only on leds but a bit uglier

mcgyvr · 04/25/2018, 04:33 AM

Yes bulb selection makes a huge difference and can absolutely be tailored to your personal tastes..
My favorite so far (only on second round of bulbs/year 2) was
2 x actinic
2 x blue +
2 x Aquablue special

RobZilla04 · 04/25/2018, 04:42 AM

T5 output is STRONG. Realistically you are seeing the coral under completely different lighting (both in output intensity & color).

With a six bulb fixture, the combinations are nearly endless. I'd shoot for a variety as mentioned above.

Suggestions

Lagoon blue
Super Blue
Coral +
Fiji Pink
Purple +

Pslreefer · 04/25/2018, 05:54 AM

Thanks. It doesn’t look bright at all but that may be due to the spectrum and the use of mostly blue plus bulb color?

blowmecius · 04/25/2018, 06:47 AM

Blue + are not really meant to be a stand alone bulb. I know what you mean about the "icky" blue color. I Have an old 5 bulb fixture and use:
Blue+
Blue +
Purple+
Coral+
Blue+
This give a nice bluish white. Everyone has their own taste. Combinations are endless and do look different depending on bulbs.

ATI has recommended combinations on their web site: https://www.atinorthamerica.com/faq.php

Pslreefer · 04/25/2018, 12:50 PM

Ordered a c and p, gonna keep the actinic in there

blowmecius · 04/25/2018, 05:37 PM

Love actinic! That will certainly make florescence pop.

04/24/2018, 08:00 PM	#1
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	T5 help So I added a 6 bulb 4ft Hamilton T5 fixture today on a 180. It sits about 9 inches over the tank. I haven’t put the leds on the ends yet but when I turned on the fixture on the sps colors just looked like complete poo, bland, faded, yuck! The bulbs are all blue plus with one actinic in the middle. Would that be the reason? The sand corals under the mars aqua were sooooo much better looking. What’s going on? Last edited by Pslreefer; 04/24/2018 at 08:23 PM.

04/24/2018, 08:24 PM	#2
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	T5 help I’m thinking just too much blue as it looks like when I turn all the blues only on leds but a bit uglier

04/25/2018, 04:33 AM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Yes bulb selection makes a huge difference and can absolutely be tailored to your personal tastes.. My favorite so far (only on second round of bulbs/year 2) was 2 x actinic 2 x blue + 2 x Aquablue special __________________ Who me?

04/25/2018, 04:42 AM	#4
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	T5 output is STRONG. Realistically you are seeing the coral under completely different lighting (both in output intensity & color). With a six bulb fixture, the combinations are nearly endless. I'd shoot for a variety as mentioned above. Suggestions Lagoon blue Super Blue Coral + Fiji Pink Purple + __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

04/25/2018, 06:47 AM	#6
blowmecius Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Maryand Posts: 177	Blue + are not really meant to be a stand alone bulb. I know what you mean about the "icky" blue color. I Have an old 5 bulb fixture and use: Blue+ Blue + Purple+ Coral+ Blue+ This give a nice bluish white. Everyone has their own taste. Combinations are endless and do look different depending on bulbs. ATI has recommended combinations on their web site: https://www.atinorthamerica.com/faq.php __________________ Homer no function beer well without.

04/25/2018, 05:54 AM	#5
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	Thanks. It doesn’t look bright at all but that may be due to the spectrum and the use of mostly blue plus bulb color?

04/25/2018, 12:50 PM	#7
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	Ordered a c and p, gonna keep the actinic in there

04/25/2018, 05:37 PM	#8
blowmecius Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Maryand Posts: 177	Love actinic! That will certainly make florescence pop. __________________ Homer no function beer well without.