Failed supplement lighting (pictures)
 

Tried the same as JDigital did in foreverfortune recent thread. Not sure if the WB is the same as tag shows auto but probably close. Since the MH just turned off I'll try again tomorrow in manual. Overall though, to the eye tank is a little more blue than all the pictures.

MHs are 2x250W 14K Ushios and T5s 2x54W Helios Super Blu 03. The MHs are 9 months old, the T5s are at least a year and half and were used when I got them. As I really only notice the T5 as dusk/dawn and probably haven't had them off with the MHs on since I installed them, never notice any shift.

Think this was a good exercise as shows the T5s aren't doing a whole lot of supplementing.

First picture is MH and T5, second picture MH only, third picture T5 only.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...5/lgt_both.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/das75/lgt_MH.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...75/Lgt_blu.jpg

Do you have a closed loop with returns at the bottom of your tank? I see that 90 degree elbow on the bottom left.

If it is what I think it is, do you like having your tank drilled at the bottom? Any problems? Thanks.

Mark, I set my WB manually at 8000K, but its going to be different for you.. I don't trust Auto when it comes to shooting Actinic lighting.

But, ya, doesn't really look like you are getting any supplemental lighting between the 1st and 2nd pic.. Time for new bulbs!:mrgreen:

Yep, CL. Dart with a OM 4-way, 1" bulkheads in all corners, 90°s on one end, 45°s on the same side as the sump return. No problems.

Take a look on OM WaterPix forum, lots of layout ideas for CL.

showing 45°
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3.../Jan10_091.jpg

and now I need to figure which ones.

This is probably because of the age of your T5s. Actinic 420nm lighting really starts to lose its pop around 9 months. Yours are over 1 1/2 years old, so I'm not surprised at all that they are hardly doing a darn thing. If you want strong actinic influence go with UVL Super Actinics. They have decent PAR and are really strongly blue. If you don't want that much blue then swap one out for a Fiji Purple. The Fiji Purple really helps coral colors pop.

New T5 bulbs
 

the old Helios and MHs
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/das75/oldT5.jpg

New T5s Giesemann Actinic+ (front), Aqua-medic Reef Blue (back) and MHs. This picture taken the first time the bulbs on and only for about 10 minutes. After running a few days a bit more blue.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/das75/NewT5.jpg

MHs only (2x250W 14K Ushios)
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3.../newT5_off.jpg


New T5 only
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/das75/clam.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/das75/zoa1.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/das75/zoa2.jpg

Colors are popping so much more with the new T5 bulbs. Looks great.

Wow what a difference new T5 bulbs make.

Great looking reef tank.

Long time since the last sets of pictures but same T5's (Giesemann Actinic+ (front), Aqua-medic Reef Blue (back)) and now about 4 months on 14K Phoenix's

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...5/P1090011.jpg