[dylan]

at the moment im using x4 jbl 15k bulbs which are a lot whiter than the kelvin would suggest and one giesmann actinic plus i have two more bulbs to add , this post has got me confused how come this bloke is using so much blue and keeping sps??

so do i use x6 jbl 15 k white , 1 giesmann actinic plus and two blue aqua rays
or x 3 15k white x3 narva blue and x1 giesmann actinic plus

[dylan]

oops forgot the link

http://www.ultimater...ad.php?t=345152

[Dave.I]

Hi Dylan,welcome to the T5 club

The most confusing thing with T5's is the bloody names.ATI do three tubes worth considering.....

Aqua blue special
Blue plus
Pure actinic 03

The aqua blue special is a white tube! I would say its around 10k/12k.

The blue plus is a very high power blue tube.This is NOT an actinic tube but a high powered blue tube.You could litteraly keep sps under these tubes with no white tubes.They are very powerfull tubes!
The pure 03 actinic is a lower powered tube that is brilliant at bringing out flouresent colours but it doesnt have the punch of the blue plus,nothing like.It will bring out purples very well as it's a blue/purple actinic tube in my opinion.

From your selection i would go with the last option.6 tubes with good reflectors should be ample and the actinic will give colours that extra pop!
I know that narva's have a strong following here and rightly so but personaly i dont think they come close to the ati or giesmann blue plus tubes.For me the narva's tend to drop off in blue and whiten up over time where as the ati's just dont.

For me the perfect set up with 7 tubes would be.....

3 ATI blue plus
3 ATI aqua blue specials
1 ATI pure 03 actinic

Or the giesmann alternatives.

What size is the surface area you are trying to light?

Dave

[Dave.I]

Here is a pic of my system with only 4 tubes on


2 ATI blue plus
2 ATI aqua blue specials

So a 50/50 mix of white and blue just so you can get an idea what it would look like.Add a little bit of actinic the the mix and it will look great.

I am still using 4 blue plus and 2 aqua blue specials and wont be changing a thing!

Dave

[tillysreef]

sorry to jump on the thread, ive a 4x2x2 mainly softs and lps,
have the facility for 6 tubes
currently use
3 x giesmann aquablue plus
1 x actinic +
1 x pure actinic
all the same manufacturer
always worry ive not enough light in there
what do you reckon dave?

[Dave.I]

Hi Tilly,

Well only your corals can answer that for sure but i would say for lps and softs thats just fine.If you want more punch then just change the actinics to blue plus/actinic plus,basicaly swap the actinics to high power blues.

Dave

[tillysreef]

hi dave
many thanks for that, when i do a next tube change will try that, got to add decent reflectors to the actinics as well which should increase the output a bit
tilly

[Joey]

Hi dave, where do you get the ATI blue plus from coz i would like to get 54w one

Cheers
Joey

[Dave.I]

I used to get them from blue zoo aquatics until he went bust with my,and a load of other peoples money!

Now i get them through taunton aquarium center(special order) or you can use Alex at empac direct.See link for empac......

http://www.empac.co.uk/index.php?option=co...3&Itemid=11

Dave

They are worth the money