t5 reef blue question

[corbett_n]

I have 2X24" 10000k white t5 bulbs on my 30g. Could I change one of them to a reef blue blub: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...9&pcatid=13829

will I get about the same growth I would with my 2 10000k white t5ho bulbs I currently use.

[Potsy]

ATI's Blue Plus bulbs are about 20,000k but have plenty of PAR. They can be purchased at reefgeek.com. When buying individual bulbs they seem to offer cheaper shipping prices.

[corbett_n]

If i got a 12000K to replace my 10000k white bulb, do I actually lose some of the light that the coral needs to grow. I know I get a more blue light, but do I significantly lose any usable growing light?

[Potsy]

Unlike halides, blue T5 bulbs don't lose much par. Relative to the highest output bulbs like the aquasun or aquablue, the blue plusses put out quite a bit of par. Don't get them confused with actinic bulbs - they have little par value.

[atvdave]

I 2nd the ATI Blue Plus suggestion. I run them in my set-up.

Here's a link to a old PAR thread, maybe it will help.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=918935

[atvdave]

Originally posted by corbett_n
I have 2X24" 10000k white t5 bulbs on my 30g. Could I change one of them to a reef blue blub: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...9&pcatid=13829

will I get about the same growth I would with my 2 10000k white t5ho bulbs I currently use.

You will probably get more growth. The white bulbs can't cover all the light spectrum's. With a combo of actinic and a bright white you will cover a much broader spectrum of the light needed for growth.

[corbett_n]

I do have 36w of t5 Normal Output actnic, but it just doesn't have enough blue for me.

[corbett_n]

I just don't want to lose any grow light

[Fish_Freek]

The ATI blue+ will give you the the nice added blue look, with a good punch of PAR for your corals.

[Ludwigia73]

Plus if your whites are older, they've lost par, so the blues may actually add usable light!

[barjam]

The blue plus puts out more par than some other manufacturers daylight bulbs.

[Aquabucket]

I would go with either a GE daylight or an Aquasun to pair up with the ATI blue plus. That combo would probably give you more PAR than you have now with the 2 cheap 10Ks. You could even go with a ATI Aquablue Special instead of the daylights for an even bluer look.

[laserjim]

I don't like the aquasun, they have a pink color, It looks terrible.