LED light help

[jason604]

If u don't want to spend to much u can try those chinese made leds on eBay. They are super cheap(around 100-150) and can grow everything including sps. They might not thrive n best colors might not come out in sps but it's more than enough for Ur applications. Just type in 165w dimmable led fixture on ebay. Good luck!

[gobytron]

just get a 4 bulb t5 ho fixture or a couple of 150W MH.

They will grow all the coral you have listed.

I ran those lights over a 72 gallon bowfront over the course of a few years and no problems.

My preference is for a combo of T5 AND MH.

LED can be super fancy, but it's still an emerging technology (solaris anyone) and until the hobby reaches a consensus on it, I'm out.

[Metrontech]

I have ordered a 6 bulb T5 kit and its coming tomorrow

I will have to figure out the combination that I want for blue and white...

There is so much out there and I don't know what the best would be

Any suggestions?

[gobytron]

Get a couple of blue actinic (any actinics really) for your sunrise/sunset and then get a fiji purple (do they still make those) and the rest, go with 12-20K bulbs.

Its really going to come down to the look you like the most yourself.

Almost any 6 bulbs made by quality manufacturers will do a good job of maintaining the corals you have listed.

[Metrontech]

At this stage it comes with 6 HO T5 6500K white bulbs

I am going to put my new Blue and White 10k's in there with the other 4 whites for now

See what happens

Then I will move into the 12-20K and purple (not sure where to get those in Canada)

Originally Posted by gobytron

Get a couple of blue actinic (any actinics really) for your sunrise/sunset and then get a fiji purple (do they still make those) and the rest, go with 12-20K bulbs.

Its really going to come down to the look you like the most yourself.

Almost any 6 bulbs made by quality manufacturers will do a good job of maintaining the corals you have listed.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Metrontech

At this stage it comes with 6 HO T5 6500K white bulbs

I am going to put my new Blue and White 10k's in there with the other 4 whites for now

See what happens

Then I will move into the 12-20K and purple (not sure where to get those in Canada)

you can get them at concept aquariums we have a full stock of t5 bulbs

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by Metrontech

At this stage it comes with 6 HO T5 6500K white bulbs

I am going to put my new Blue and White 10k's in there with the other 4 whites for now

See what happens

Then I will move into the 12-20K and purple (not sure where to get those in Canada)

just FYI - 65ooK is really yellow.
You might like it, you might not.

best to try it out and then swap bulbs as you get a better sense for your personal preference.

You can also put a post up here and see if any reefers near you have some older bulbs you can have for free or cheap to at least see how the colors look.
many of us don;t even know what to do with old bulbs once they're past their prime.

[JmeJReefer]

Go online and check out ppls bulb configurations. Some very interesting combos of t5's! And better Colors for bulbs these days! 6500k usually is a "plant bulb" and very yellowish. IMO, doesn't look good on reef tanks. North Americans seem to prefer the bluer spectrum for reefing....
Good luck

[Metrontech]

Ocean Creation calgary was amazing to deal with here in Calgary

Just a wealth of knowledge and great customer service

So I have a 6 bulb T5 HO hanging over my tank now

1 - 10k daylight 54W
1 - Actinic blue 54W
1 - Purple 54W
1- Actuablue special 54W

2 - Pro light grow T5 54W 865 HO (white) 6500k

Should I even use the last 2? I know they may cause algae but will it help with coral?

Mike

Originally Posted by JmeJReefer

Go online and check out ppls bulb configurations. Some very interesting combos of t5's! And better Colors for bulbs these days! 6500k usually is a "plant bulb" and very yellowish. IMO, doesn't look good on reef tanks. North Americans seem to prefer the bluer spectrum for reefing....
Good luck

[crimper]

Originally Posted by Metrontech

Ocean Creation calgary was amazing to deal with here in Calgary

2 - Pro light grow T5 54W 865 HO (white) 6500k

Should I even use the last 2? I know they may cause algae but will it help with coral?

Mike

Don't even bother, first it is too yellow.... second, algae love that spectrum. If you want whitish light, go with a 10K.

But if I were you I will throw in a couple of ATI Blue Plus and Coral Plus in there. There are lots of people having good coral coloration on this two types of bulb combo alone esp SPSs. There rest is much for color taste.

Google Best 6 T5 Bulb Combo, and check how their coral response.

Good luck.