Opinions on Supplemental T5 Bulbs

G

greeneyed

I have a 72g bowfront with a DIY LED systems running.
Growth is good, and *most colors as well.
I have noticed there are some colors lacking (red/orange)

I have 2 Icecap 403 ballasts leftover.

I would prefer to add 2 bulbs due to canopy space.

What 2 bulbs would y'all suggest?

Thanks!
 
@greeneyed wrote:
I have a 72g bowfront with a DIY LED systems running. Growth is good said:
You could try a KZ-Fiji Purple or the ATI Purple Plus, or both as they are slightly different bulbs. These bulbs bring out the pinks and reds in corals.

From my experience though, I'd prefer to not overdrive these (with an Icecap), because I think overdriving washes out the colors.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the response.
I know the icecaps will overdrive, just trying to make due with what i have on hand.

Anyone else have any bulb suggestions?
 
I don't think you are going to wash out corals with too much T5, mostly your biggest risk will be shortening the life of the T5 bulbs. Just make sure that you have the bulbs actively cooled with a fan. At a minimum you would want to pull hot air out of the canopy with a single fan, or better yet have air blowing across the bulbs with one fan pushing air in and another fan pulling air out at opposite ends of the canopy. If I were to choose two T5 bulbs it would be a KZ fiji purple and ATI purple plus. Same as recommended previously, Of course, that really depends on the color temp that you are attempting to achieve in the tank, you might be better off going with a 10k bulb to compensate for the LEDs, but I really like a lot of blue and haven't seen the color temp of the light you are getting with the LEDs. Bottom line is that the T5's will help with true color of the SPS and growth beyond what the LEDs are giving you, and the LEDs will give the appearance of great growth and color.
 
Update, cheap bulbs will have a problem with being overdriven in terms of shortening their life. Good bulbs like, ATI, KZ, or Geismann... Just make sure to replace them around 9 months. Use of a par meter will tell you when to replace, I think the club has one or several LFS would be happy to check for you.
 
I would recommend the new ATI coral plus bulb's, this is what I will be running with my led setup. Perfect bulb for running with led's imo.http://www.atinorthamerica.com/bulbs.php

Cheers,
 
I have a strip of 27 LEDs - mix of RB and white. I also have 4 T5HO with Icecap 660. I probably need to start replacing bulbs again, and will likely go 1 Fiji purple, 1 purple plus, 1 actinic and maybe 1 blue plus- def the purple bulbs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top