T5 bulb configuration... need some input

[chris88]

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

[chris88]

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.

[The Grizz]

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

[lockrookie]

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

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by lockrookie

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.

[lockrookie]

k got it 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

[chris88]

I like your idea of staggering the bulb times but i think you might like it more visually if you did the traditional blues on first then white bulbs on second.
The fiji purple is a strong bulb and if you run it with just one other bulb or even just two other bulbs the color comes out very pink and kind of funky. Most people suggest running it with a minimum of 1-5. 1 fiji or actinic white with 5 other bulb/white bulbs to keep the color realistic.

If I were you I would run it something like this. I don't know exactly how your lights come on and it what order but I am assuming you have the ability to control the lights in 2 bulbs at a time. So I would do the following.

Same combo for each half of the tank: If you tank is more than 18 inches deep run the lights for 12 hours. If you tank is 18 or shallower run them for 10hrs max.

2x ati blue plus 6am
1x ati blue plus + fiji purple 7am
1 x ati aqua blue + ati blue plus 8am
1x ati aqua blue + actinic white 9am

Reverse cycle and stagger the opposite.

There are a few benefits to something like this vs. 2 on then 6 on. You will visually mimic the suns brightness and pattern. Visually it’s not boring. You will be able to see 4 different color schemes with 4 different effects on the corals color. At any giving time during cycle you could see something different and you balance out the pinks of the fiji purple and actinic white. It is easier on the corals and fish as well, the sun doesn’t just have one strength and color. It changes based on the time of day and cloud cover. Let me know what you end up going with because i would love to see some pictures. I have used all of these bulbs and I think you will be happy with the.