Anyone else using the JF method of all actinic?!?!?

hoover86 · 07/21/2017, 08:32 AM

I just watched a video of a presentation done by Jason Fox and was really surprised that pretty much all of his tanks are T5 all actinic and blue Reefbrites. It makes sense given most of his corals are deep water but is anyone else using and having this success with their corals?

I don't plan on taking a 2nd mortgage to buy all JF corals so I'm wondering if the majority of corals we find in the hobby would have similar results? I'm setting up a 125 with G4 Radions and 2 T5's for supplement personally. I talked to JF at RAP in Orlando this past spring and he's actually the reason I picked up T5's to supplement as he said he feels they give much better coloration.

He did say he has LED over one of his propagation tanks but only runs white at 5-10% a couple hours a day and runs Reefbrites for 12 and T5's for 10 (I may have the Reefbrites and T5's transposed but it's basically actinic nearly all day).

Vinny Kreyling · 07/21/2017, 04:19 PM

Many places run the blues all day because corals respond better to the blue spectrum.

Bronx19 · 07/21/2017, 04:53 PM

Funny you start this thread. After watching his video, I ordered 4B+ and 2TA to replace my 3B+, 2C+, 1P+. I couldn't help but wonder if there would be any difference, so I'm going to find out.

Potatohead · 07/21/2017, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronx19

Funny you start this thread. After watching his video, I ordered 4B+ and 2TA to replace my 3B+, 2C+, 1P+. I couldn't help but wonder if there would be any difference, so I'm going to find out.

I've kind of thought about this but I bet the corals don't look very good. Keep us updated

.

hoover86 · 07/22/2017, 07:48 AM

Keep us updated for sure. I just wonder how the rest of the corals in the hobby would respond. It makes sense the deep water corals he collects would benefit from so much blue since they are at such a depth. Like I said, I won't be having a tank full of his deep water corals so curious how other corals behave.

Ron Reefman · 07/22/2017, 01:19 PM

They will do OK. Blue or actinic will feed the coral and produce some good color. But corals do use other spectrum to produce other pigments and chemicals the coral uses. My bet is JF cares a lot more about fast growth and a lot less about long term health as he moves them through his system.

When I have an algae issue I don't do 3 days of lights out. I do as long as it takes of all blue and violet. I've done up to 14 days and the corals polyp out just like normal (and fluoresce). Eventually the algae goes away and the corals look as good after as they did before.

Bronx19 · 07/22/2017, 08:50 PM

If I remember correctly Jason said almost all wild corals entering the trade are collected at more than 5m of depth and it entirely blue spectrum. When you think about it, 5m is bugger all in an ocean, its our systems which are tidal pool deep.

Could put one C+ in a 6 bulb fixture to hit the red spectrum.

Potatohead · 07/22/2017, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronx19

If I remember correctly Jason said almost all wild corals entering the trade are collected at more than 5m of depth and it entirely blue spectrum. When you think about it, 5m is bugger all in an ocean, its our systems which are tidal pool deep.

Could put one C+ in a 6 bulb fixture to hit the red spectrum.

In mine I have tried one actinic, five blue, one coral and one purple. It was really blue and red and purple corals looked bad. I only tried it for like a day I may just have to get used to it.

knap_123 · 07/22/2017, 10:46 PM

All blue, uv sb reeflite 2 Ati t5s. Corals look great and seem to be growing well.

Ron Reefman · 07/23/2017, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronx19

If I remember correctly Jason said almost all wild corals entering the trade are collected at more than 5m of depth and it entirely blue spectrum. When you think about it, 5m is bugger all in an ocean, its our systems which are tidal pool deep.

Could put one C+ in a 6 bulb fixture to hit the red spectrum.

5M is just 15 feet. There is a lot more than just blue spectrum at 15 feet... even at 30 feet.

hoover86 · 07/23/2017, 07:16 AM

Most of the corals JF collects are around 80' if I remember correctly.

oreo57 · 07/23/2017, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoover86

Most of the corals JF collects are around 80' if I remember correctly.

Bronx19 · 07/23/2017, 09:41 PM

They collect them and then put them into shallow water holding for export.

hoover86 · 07/24/2017, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronx19

They collect them and then put them into shallow water holding for export.

Correct. But the reasoning he uses blue light is because that's what light the corals get where they are collected. That's why I was wondering how the other corals we get that are more shallow water would react to this lighting scheme.

EDIT - I also see why you posted that now Bronx when I see oreo's picture. The link was broken at first LOL

Mishri · 07/24/2017, 12:01 PM

as others said, many growers use only blue for maximum growth speed to maximize their profits. I don't think it looks good at all. I certainly wouldn't use it on a display tank.. if you have a frag grow out tank then no problem. I would be surprised if it's the ideal spectrum for overall long term health.

FullBoreReefer · 07/24/2017, 12:03 PM

Didn't JF lose his boat and gear? I thought I seen a gofundme started...

Bronx19 · 07/27/2017, 05:41 AM

Bulbs arrived, running 3B+, 2A, 1P+. Very different look, creates a lot of fluorescent greens. Nice dawn/dust look with just the actininic morning and evening. Took PAR readings and it down, but still near the 250 butter zone.

AddictReef · 10/23/2017, 10:27 PM

y

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronx19

Bulbs arrived, running 3B+, 2A, 1P+. Very different look, creates a lot of fluorescent greens. Nice dawn/dust look with just the actininic morning and evening. Took PAR readings and it down, but still near the 250 butter zone.

Update?

urban_s · 10/24/2017, 01:31 PM

Following

d2mini · 10/24/2017, 01:44 PM

To answer the OP, no.
I'm not in the business of growing/selling coral. My tank is for my enjoyment and seeing nothing but actinic is not enjoyable to me.

jacksonpt · 10/24/2017, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

To answer the OP, no.
I'm not in the business of growing/selling coral. My tank is for my enjoyment and seeing nothing but actinic is not enjoyable to me.

Glad I'm not the only one.

When I updated my lighting a year or so ago, a trusted source talked to me about color spectrums and how PAR is overrated, especially for LPS (which is what I keep primarily). I didn't understand a lot of it, but like I said... trust source. So he talked me into a blue heavy bulb setup, but I still run a purple and a daylight for appearance/personal preference.

Potatohead · 10/24/2017, 03:00 PM

FWIW, if you check out the newest RB video, it's apparent Jason is using Blue+ bulbs and not full-on true actinics. I'm not sure why he refers to them as actinic, although Geisemann does call their version of that bulb 'actinic blue.'

AddictReef · 10/24/2017, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Potatohead

FWIW, if you check out the newest RB video, it's apparent Jason is using Blue+ bulbs and not full-on true actinics. I'm not sure why he refers to them as actinic, although Geisemann does call their version of that bulb 'actinic blue.'

I’d like to check out this video. Could you link me.

Cheers!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Potatohead · 10/24/2017, 03:17 PM

I can't because RC puts a block on it. If you google reef builders Jason Fox I'm sure it will come up.

Edit - maybe a youtube link will work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx0gU7DumDo

RobSpeed13 · 10/24/2017, 03:25 PM

yeah seen the video recently. he does love that blue and sb lights. I dont mind my tank running blue, not super dark blue, but light blue.

07/21/2017, 08:32 AM	#1
hoover86 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockledge FL Posts: 388	Anyone else using the JF method of all actinic?!?!? I just watched a video of a presentation done by Jason Fox and was really surprised that pretty much all of his tanks are T5 all actinic and blue Reefbrites. It makes sense given most of his corals are deep water but is anyone else using and having this success with their corals? I don't plan on taking a 2nd mortgage to buy all JF corals so I'm wondering if the majority of corals we find in the hobby would have similar results? I'm setting up a 125 with G4 Radions and 2 T5's for supplement personally. I talked to JF at RAP in Orlando this past spring and he's actually the reason I picked up T5's to supplement as he said he feels they give much better coloration. He did say he has LED over one of his propagation tanks but only runs white at 5-10% a couple hours a day and runs Reefbrites for 12 and T5's for 10 (I may have the Reefbrites and T5's transposed but it's basically actinic nearly all day). __________________ -Josh-

07/21/2017, 04:19 PM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Many places run the blues all day because corals respond better to the blue spectrum. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

07/22/2017, 07:48 AM	#5
hoover86 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockledge FL Posts: 388	Keep us updated for sure. I just wonder how the rest of the corals in the hobby would respond. It makes sense the deep water corals he collects would benefit from so much blue since they are at such a depth. Like I said, I won't be having a tank full of his deep water corals so curious how other corals behave. __________________ -Josh-

07/22/2017, 01:19 PM	#6
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	They will do OK. Blue or actinic will feed the coral and produce some good color. But corals do use other spectrum to produce other pigments and chemicals the coral uses. My bet is JF cares a lot more about fast growth and a lot less about long term health as he moves them through his system. When I have an algae issue I don't do 3 days of lights out. I do as long as it takes of all blue and violet. I've done up to 14 days and the corals polyp out just like normal (and fluoresce). Eventually the algae goes away and the corals look as good after as they did before. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

07/23/2017, 07:16 AM	#11
hoover86 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockledge FL Posts: 388	Most of the corals JF collects are around 80' if I remember correctly. __________________ -Josh-

07/21/2017, 04:53 PM	#3
Bronx19 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 223	Funny you start this thread. After watching his video, I ordered 4B+ and 2TA to replace my 3B+, 2C+, 1P+. I couldn't help but wonder if there would be any difference, so I'm going to find out.

07/22/2017, 08:50 PM	#7
Bronx19 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 223	If I remember correctly Jason said almost all wild corals entering the trade are collected at more than 5m of depth and it entirely blue spectrum. When you think about it, 5m is bugger all in an ocean, its our systems which are tidal pool deep. Could put one C+ in a 6 bulb fixture to hit the red spectrum.

07/22/2017, 10:46 PM	#9
knap_123 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: alex city, alabama Posts: 756	All blue, uv sb reeflite 2 Ati t5s. Corals look great and seem to be growing well.

07/23/2017, 09:41 PM	#13
Bronx19 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 223	They collect them and then put them into shallow water holding for export.

07/24/2017, 12:01 PM	#15
Mishri Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Great Falls, MT Posts: 1,404	as others said, many growers use only blue for maximum growth speed to maximize their profits. I don't think it looks good at all. I certainly wouldn't use it on a display tank.. if you have a frag grow out tank then no problem. I would be surprised if it's the ideal spectrum for overall long term health. __________________ 300 gallon 8ft long, 2x xf250 gyre, reef octopus 250-int - work in progress Aquarist since 1986

07/24/2017, 12:03 PM	#16
FullBoreReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wooster, OH Posts: 1,862	Didn't JF lose his boat and gear? I thought I seen a gofundme started... __________________ 60x36x24 mixed reef. 40b sump. Regal 250int Varios. 4xHydra26HDs+t5s. 4xMp40wes. Apex2016.

07/27/2017, 05:41 AM	#17
Bronx19 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 223	Bulbs arrived, running 3B+, 2A, 1P+. Very different look, creates a lot of fluorescent greens. Nice dawn/dust look with just the actininic morning and evening. Took PAR readings and it down, but still near the 250 butter zone.

10/24/2017, 01:31 PM	#19
urban_s Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 53	Following

10/24/2017, 01:44 PM	#20
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	To answer the OP, no. I'm not in the business of growing/selling coral. My tank is for my enjoyment and seeing nothing but actinic is not enjoyable to me. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

10/24/2017, 03:00 PM	#22
Potatohead Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,596	FWIW, if you check out the newest RB video, it's apparent Jason is using Blue+ bulbs and not full-on true actinics. I'm not sure why he refers to them as actinic, although Geisemann does call their version of that bulb 'actinic blue.'

10/24/2017, 03:17 PM	#24
Potatohead Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,596	I can't because RC puts a block on it. If you google reef builders Jason Fox I'm sure it will come up. Edit - maybe a youtube link will work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx0gU7DumDo

10/24/2017, 03:25 PM	#25
RobSpeed13 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 63	yeah seen the video recently. he does love that blue and sb lights. I dont mind my tank running blue, not super dark blue, but light blue.