What do you guys think about acitinic t5 bulbs?

[BigBossReefy]

So it's time to replace my t5 bulbs. I'm running a 6x54 watt Hamilton t5 fixture on my 120. I was using 3 blue + and 3 coral +. My tank is mostly softies and lps although I do have a few sps frags near the top of the tank. Some corals reacted really favorably to this combo (birdsnest, leathers) but overall, I think it's a little more PAR than I need. Also, I wasn't too fond of the color when all 6 bulbs were on. It was a bit too white for my taste. I was considering dropping one of the coral + for an ati true actinic. Main reason is because I came across this video where he stresses the importance of actinic lighting https://youtu.be/Y-TbkPJhHkY?t=180. After looking up old forums posts, it seems really conflicted as to weather or not actinic bulbs are for purely aesthetic reasons or if they play an important role in coral health and growth. So I was wondering what the current take on this issue is.

 

[Sparky312]

I think you would be happy with the switch -- it will lower your PAR and lessen the white look and give you more blue/purple. It also makes all your florescent corals really pop. You could even do 4 blue, 1 coral, and 1 actinic if you want to go further in that direction.

Most people who run T5s have old bulbs hanging around that you could probably get for free and just test out the look on your tank. I'd be happy to give you some of mine but they are all 36 inches.

 

[BigBossReefy]

I think you would be happy with the switch -- it will lower your PAR and lessen the white look and give you more blue/purple.

This is one of the things I was confused about. There seems to be a consensus that an acitinic bulb will put out less PAR than say a blue + or coral +. However, it seems like some people argue that actinic bulbs have higher PUR than either of those bulbs. I've even read some argue that you could potentially run an all actinic t5 combo and the corals would be healthy and grow but it's not practical since the tank would look so dim.

 

[EricTheRed]

If your concern is with lessening PAR then swap out a coral+ for another blue+. If you're not worried about PAR and want maximum "pop" then go with a true actinic. If you are worried about not getting enough PUR from the true actinic (ie 420nm) then don't be...because the blue+ is part 460nm and part 420nm...so if the PUR is actually important (per your research) then you already have plenty of it with the 3 blue+'s right now. I can't comment on the PUR from a 420nm bulb...however I can attest that there is little PAR form a 420nm actinic.

 

[Sparky312]

This is one of the things I was confused about. There seems to be a consensus that an acitinic bulb will put out less PAR than say a blue + or coral +. However, it seems like some people argue that actinic bulbs have higher PUR than either of those bulbs. I've even read some argue that you could potentially run an all actinic t5 combo and the corals would be healthy and grow but it's not practical since the tank would look so dim.

My feeling/experience is that all of the ATI bulbs are good quality and will grow corals well and color them up, give them what they need for health etc. Any combination is fine (variety is better) and you should just go with what looks attractive to YOUR eyes, since the corals can and will grow with any of them.

 

[BigBossReefy]

My feeling/experience is that all of the ATI bulbs are good quality and will grow corals well and color them up, give them what they need for health etc. Any combination is fine (variety is better) and you should just go with what looks attractive to YOUR eyes, since the corals can and will grow with any of them.

Interesting, in that case I might drop another coral+ and opt for another actinic so that my final combo would be 3 blue+, 2 actinic, and 1 coral+. My favorite time to look at the tank is at the end of the day when only 2 blue+ are on. Thanks for the input!

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[wld1783]

410-420 Semi LEDs are the most cost effective replacement as they last 30-50,000 hours with only partial intensity loss.

450nm Cree XY-E Royal Blue are the top dog on efficiency...

Given the cost of T5 Replacement, Heat and Extra Electricity...I'll Never go back...

A lot of cheap Chinese replacement for this. The Cree XT-E 5 watt is the way to go...Or the latest 3 watt Semi 410-420nm...

Given the rapid loss of T5 PAR/PUR after a specified period of time and the stress of replacement... I'm 100%LED

Bill