Lighting

[tr0p1cal]

so im still struggling to figure out stuff about lighting for my marine tank conversion, as i mentioned sumwhere before i have

2 x t8 i have to actinic bulbs and 2 white bulbs.
2 x t5 both with powerglow bulbs for my tropical tank.

now the dilemma i have is what bulbs go in there and will it make a difference on what soft corals i can have. my tank atm doesnt seem blue enough for me so was thinking when i make the switch to get an actinic in one of the t5, this just leaves me with 1 bulb thats white.

does it make a different at all i just cant seem to find the answer im looking for anywhere

the tanks a 4x2x2

thanks

 

[HappyGeorge]

I posted this a few days ago, might help you a bit.

Light post

 

[tr0p1cal]

yeah thanks george i had read through that, i guess what im saying if you take it to an extreme of say 4 actinics of 4 whites will it effect the growth of the corals? or just it just effect the appearance of them due to the different colour lights.

 

[HappyGeorge]

4 actinics too much I would start by looking at replacing the 2 T5's with what iquatics call a Blue Plus and a pink bulb maybe? That would make it look bluer and the pink makes the coral colours more defined without making all the fish look too blue. Will try and do a video tonight of my tank with the pink for you.

 

[tr0p1cal]

thanks george, this would then give me no bulbs that are white, or are u suggesting putting the white back into the t8?

 

[woody88]

I would get rid of the T8's and make it all T5 HO tubes.
Just simply replace the ballast powering the T8's and replace with a twin output T5 ballast (they're about a tenner on fleabay). Then I'd just have 2 daylight 10,000K and 2 actinic or better yet add a 3rd ballast and have 3 daylight, 2 actinic and 1 pink or 5000k tube.

Just my opinion but HG knows his stuff aswell!

 

[HappyGeorge]

Just my opinion but HG knows his stuff aswell!

Well I pretend. No you do probably want a white 10k as Woody says. With only 4 tubes it does limit your options. My FOWLR that the pictures on my light thread were of is one powerglo and one marine blue, no actinic at all, I'm not sure actinic will add much in the way of blue when all the lights are on as they are a different part of the light spectrum and don't really punch through the white like the Marine Blue bulbs do. My reef is lit with 6 x t5 so there are a few more options. Do you have reflectors fitted to the t8? If not that will boost the output considerably or maybe a 2nd hand light bar to add another 2 bulbs either t8 which would be dirt cheap or a t5 one.
As Woody says you could upgrade them if you fancy a bit of DIY, Woody could probably give you step by step on this being a sparks.

 

[tr0p1cal]

mmmmm 6 x t5 lights u got me thinking now, means id have to wait longer but im not in a rush, what ballast from ebay work? i dont really understand it, i got the hagen glow t5 unit atm, but if im buying all this stuff may aswell upgrade the lights for the sake of a £100, i guess 6 t5 is gonna let me grow more than just soft corals?

 

[HappyGeorge]

mmmmm 6 x t5 lights u got me thinking now, means id have to wait longer but im not in a rush, what ballast from ebay work? i dont really understand it, i got the hagen glow t5 unit atm, but if im buying all this stuff may aswell upgrade the lights for the sake of a £100, i guess 6 t5 is gonna let me grow more than just soft corals?

As I said in my post before 6 x t5's will grow anything IME. Beware the cheap ones on ebay have heard bad things about them, if there is no rush then keep your eye out on the classifieds for a tank breakdown.

 

[seffieuk]

OR, keep the x 2 t8, 2 x t5 and buy a couple of aquaray duos or marine blues - they would then double as moonlights

Stick in all marine whites , or maybe as suggested a pink with x 3 whites and the two aquarays (aquarays will set you back approx £100 for a pair, second hand, will cut down on heat

 

[dayzofspeed]

Just my opinion but HG knows his stuff aswell!

Woody could probably give you step by step on this being a sparks.

now that sounds like an excellent idea, i need to upgrade real soon (only have freshwater 38w t8's x2) and i'm crap with electrics and i'm tight with the cash too and dont even know where to start looking

 

[tr0p1cal]

sorry to rebump this, but was thinking about adding LEDS to 6 x t5 on a 4x2x2, anyone using both? am i gonna gain much?

 

[seffieuk]

sorry to rebump this, but was thinking about adding LEDS to 6 x t5 on a 4x2x2, anyone using both? am i gonna gain much?

Are we talking aquarays or the like or just cheap little leds for red/blue?

 

[tr0p1cal]

im talking about the cheap things that you see being sold, i probably wouldnt bother if its expencive as im allready needing to buy anouther 4 t5's.

 

[seffieuk]

im talking about the cheap things that you see being sold, i probably wouldnt bother if its expencive as im allready needing to buy anouther 4 t5's.

The cheap ones are good for moonlights or critter watching (Red), but nothing else