Lights that can make colors of corals pop up

[daplatapus]

I've made a DIY LED fixture and in the mix I've included Exotics Ocean Coral White and True Violet LED's and they're amazing!

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by daplatapus

I've made a DIY LED fixture and in the mix I've included Exotics Ocean Coral White and True Violet LED's and they're amazing!

Ah LEDS Too expensive!!! :'(

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

Ah LEDS Too expensive!!! :'(

How big is your tank?

[mrhasan]

20 gallon long. 30"

[iceman86]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

Yah I was thinking about that too. Let's see if someone with a deal on 4 bulb fixture comes up

You can probably build your own led fixture for the same price as buying a used t5 on here. You can choose your colors and customize it anyway you want.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

20 gallon long. 30"

My LFS has a similar tank for smaller corals and runs 2 hagen T5 strips, 2 bulbs each, and the colors are awesome. Lots of pop. You can find those really cheap here or usedcity.com

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by iceman86

You can probably build your own led fixture for the same price as buying a used t5 on here. You can choose your colors and customize it anyway you want.

Although being an electrical engineer and with loads of DIY experiences back home, I am really lazy studying about all the LEDs, ways to mount, drivers, etc. There' just too many options so I am kinda reluctant to go though all the researches with all the pressure of grad school. But I am thinking of getting a DIY moonlight to make the tank look nice at night

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

My LFS has a similar tank for smaller corals and runs 2 hagen T5 strips, 2 bulbs each, and the colors are awesome. Lots of pop. You can find those really cheap here or usedcity.com

Yah I guess my actinic is being suppressed by the 10k in visual spectrum (they are like a month old). I guess 4 bulbs would have made things pop up. Funny thing is, the colors looks amazing from the top of the tank :P

[Aquattro]

I would look more at the different color bulbs, the KZ and ATI especially. A stock 10k and actinic aren't going to do much for "pop". I have 2 fixtures with bulbs like that and they're enough to grow things, but not to emphasize color. Look around for threads on T5 combos and you'll find lots of recommendations. I've bought coral from under a T5 that I've been disappointed with once home under the LEDs...

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I would look more at the different color bulbs, the KZ and ATI especially. A stock 10k and actinic aren't going to do much for "pop". I have 2 fixtures with bulbs like that and they're enough to grow things, but not to emphasize color. Look around for threads on T5 combos and you'll find lots of recommendations. I've bought coral from under a T5 that I've been disappointed with once home under the LEDs...

Yah ATIs are awesome as far as I know because of their vast selection of lights. Coralife is extremely limited (10k and actinic); oh well, you get what you pay for :P.

I think I will get a new light this Christmas.