T5 bulb configuration... need some input
 

OK, well it is getting really close to moving day of the new 8' tank but still a little stumped on what T5 bulb combo to use.

At the moment on the BF I am running 2 - 250w 14,000K MH, 2 - 54w Coral Life 10,000K, 2 - 54w Fiji Purples & 2 - 54w Actinic's.

I have been playing around with some different bulbs but just can not figure it out. So any advise from those who have found a combo that work's for you I would love to hear it.

What I have been thinking is this ( 8 bulbs per side )

2 - Gieseman Actinic+ 22,000K
2 - Gieseman AquaBlue+ 15,000K
2 - ATI AquaBlue Special 12,000K
2 - KZ Fiji Purple

I think you have Gieseman aquablue plus mixed up. Their aqua blue is 11,000k and its very white and almost identicle to ati aqua blue. If i were you i would go with the following for a 8 bulbs.

X4 ATI BLUE PLUS OR AQUA SCIENCE 22,000K
X3 ATI AQUA BLUE OR AQUA SCIENCE DUO 17,000K
X1 FIJI PURPLE OR UVL ACTINIC WHITE

Tons of par nice balanced color, I wont be to blue or to pink and you will have nice growth and color in your corals. I dont think you could pick better bulbs then what i suggest above.

No I am sure I am right as I got this right off the J&L web site.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/lb...tinic+%2B.html
http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/lb...aBlue+%2B.html

The 8-bulb combo I was recommended as per RC's GrimReefer is as follows:

Front:
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue+
KZ Fiji Purple
UVL White Actinic/ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue+

Going with bulb 5 as UVL will make it whiter, and the ATI will make it bluer, but overall it's supposed to be a fairly white combo.

AquaBlue+ T5 High Output Lamp

Suitable for salt water and fresh water. This is the recommended D-D marine tube, which is a 60/40 white/blue blend. This tube was specifically developed for growing SPS corals down to 800cm. Suitable for salt water, reef and fresh water fish only aquariums.

Features:
•T-5 Diameter High Output Fluorescent Lamp
•60% Actinic 40% white spectrum
•Color temperature approx 11,000K Crisp color as stand-alone lamp

It's 100% 11,000k and very white no blue to it at all. I own the bulb and i also got it from j&L. It's a mis type on J&l site i promise. I can take a picture of the bulb if you would like. The suggestion of what grimme wrote you is very similar to what i suggested and it is a great combo as well. I would not do more then 4 blue plus bulbs, it comes off way to blue and makes it look artificial. Also, more then on fiji purple or actinic white together makes it look to pink/purple. I prefer a nice 14,000k white/blue look with pop to the colors.

Now this is what I was talking about, experience with the bulb thanks chris88

So I should be a little more detailed about the lights and timers so I get it right the first time.

I have 2 - 4 bulb fixtures per side with 3 individual switches / cords per fixture. So I am calling them light bank 1, 2, 3, & 4. each bank has it own timer as well.

So it would go something like this:

back to front:
ATI AquaBlue Spec............bank 1............ 1st on @ 9 am
ATI Blue+........................bank 2..............2nd on @10 am
KZ Fiji Purple....................bank 1.............1st on @9 am
ATI Blue+........................bank 2..............2nd on @10 am
UVL White Actinic.............bank 3..............3rd on @11 am
ATI Blue+........................bank 4..............4th on @ noon
ATI Aquablue Special.........bank 3..............3rd on @ 11 am
ATI Blue+........................bank 4..............4th on @ noon

then start to cycle off in reverse order @ 6 pm, moon LEDs on at 9 pm - 6 am

you lost me i have those same lights i kinda understand what you are doing are you haveing both fixtures side by side im assuming lengthwise on those fixtures switch one turns on 2 bulbs switch 2 turns on the other two switch 3 moon lights

so you would have switch one turn on at one time on both ? or just one fixture?\

i know this has nothign to do with bulbs im just trying to wrap my brain around it:)

Ya Jeff I have joined 2 fixtures together to run the length of the tank 8', so there is 2 rows of fixture's. Bank 1 is 2 - bulbs per side of tank, 4 bulbs total length and so on for bank 2, 3, & 4. My build thread shows the fixture's on the tank.

k got it :smile: ive been anxously following your build as you know lol giving me ideas for my 3 to 400 possible buildin my basement .. wifes losing her office but hey its all for the name of a daycare rightoff i hope...first home daycare with ocean learning center? think that will fly? lol

i think your bulb idea is ok from what ive read and iff all else fails you have room for changes in future