Hi all, this is my first post so bare with me...
I'm currently a year into reefing and I LOVE it! However, since I'm still a newbie... one thing I'm still trying to grasp is the concept of lighting. I currently have running for lights a Deep Blue Solar Xtreme T5 HO Quad light system.
the specs are: 48", 2x54watt Actinic Blues and 2x54watt 10,000k day lights, and 8 moonlight LEDS
So basically I'm due for bulb replacements I was wondering... if anyone had any recommendations for my 4 bulb light combination. I was thinking to get a 1-10,000K to keep coral growth, a 1-14,000K for better colars, and should I get 2 new actinics or blues? (not quite sure what the difference is)
I also read that ATI's are good brands, anyone else have any feed back?
My end result goal is I feel like my tank is getting too yellow, all my corals look washed out and or a browning color and would love my colors to pop a little more. I know the knew thing is getting the tank a "blue" look which I love, but I still don't want to compromise coral growth.
If anyone has any feedback that would be awesome, or good references for me to read up on!
ATI most definitely!!! I personally like a more crisp look without to much blue. So I use the following combo....
1x Aquablue special
2x Blue plus
1x Coral plus. Which is a 50/50 of the special and blue plus.
Great growth and beautiful colors. Taken with iPhone 4s
ATI for sure. Look also into the KZ and UVL lamps. DD Geismann also has some good lamps but overall ATI is a bit stronger. Given that you have a 4 lamp configuration, you may want to play with the color a bit. Miz has a nice mix on her fixture and it seems to work well. I personally am not a fan of the aquablue special because, for me, it seems to wash colors out just a bit.
You could try 3 blue + and one coral + and have very good color as well as growth. I prefer the coral + over the aqua blue special. It may be good to search around and look at the specs on various lamps, too. Then, buy a few extra and mix them up, play with their location, and see which you prefer.