SB Reeflights- 50/50 vs Actinics

[DracoKat]

SB Reeflights- 50/50 vs Actinics

Which is better for mixed reef tank? The website is contracting on both their LED SBar pages

I have 4-bulb T5's (2 Blue+, purple+, Coral+) if it makes a difference. I want to add a supplemental LED bar

With their sale, i am ready to buy, but just need to know which is better.

please and thank you!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

chose them the same way you choose tubes. to get an overall color. im not a huge blue tank guy, id go 50/50 with your t5 combo. unless you are looking for am and pm "glow show" (like I do) then go actinic.

i cant get the SB page to open. weird.

 

[DracoKat]

SB page was slow for me moments ago too.

I notified SB that the two bars contracts each other with the lighting info, so hopefully they'll correct it!

I got a response via Facebook that actinics is better for coral growth, so I went with that one. I figure if it's too much blue, I can change one or two of the T5 bulbs to more white.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

SB page was slow for me moments ago too.

I notified SB that the two bars contracts each other with the lighting info, so hopefully they'll correct it!

I got a response via Facebook that actinics is better for coral growth, so I went with that one. I figure if it's too much blue, I can change one or two of the T5 bulbs to more white.

good plan. youll probably like the am pm pop too...
the actinic thing could be argued. not today though

nice combo you picked btw. should be awesome.

 

[DracoKat]

I hope so! I decided one one bar for now. Later on if I want more oomph in lighting, I can get a second bar

 

[taj0930]

I hope so! I decided one one bar for now. Later on if I want more oomph in lighting, I can get a second bar

How'd you'd end up liking the bar? These things dimmable?

 

[DracoKat]

How'd you'd end up liking the bar? These things dimmable?

My corals love it, I've noticed more growth- especially with my acros. Next time I change my T5's, I am going to go with one less blue light since now I feel the tank has too much blue.

It's not dimmable, no

and I still can't figure out how to hook it to my current T5 fixture.

 

[taj0930]

My corals love it, I've noticed more growth- especially with my acros. Next time I change my T5's, I am going to go with one less blue light since now I feel the tank has too much blue.

It's not dimmable, no

and I still can't figure out how to hook it to my current T5 fixture.

Do you find it too strong not being dimmable? How tall is your tank?

 

[DracoKat]

it's 21" deep, standard 75g marineland reef ready tank.

I don't think it's too strong. then again, I am still somewhat a newbie when it comes to lighting. everything seems to be happy in my tank, so I am judging by that.

 

[DracoKat]

it's 21" deep, standard 75g marineland reef ready tank.

I don't think it's too strong. then again, I am still somewhat a newbie when it comes to lighting. everything seems to be happy in my tank, so I am judging by that.

 

[DracoKat]

woah, didn't mean to duplicate that post!

If you are worried about it not being dimmable, you can raise it up and lower as needed- depending on your set up. mine is about 3 inches from the water surface due to lack of ability to mount. Eventually I'll get a canopy to mount it properly

 

[taj0930]

Hm yeah I just ordered 1 on impulse my tank is shallow 12" I'm just hopeful it's not too strong. I'm only doing soft corals

 

[DracoKat]

do you have other lights with it? I have t5's on mine.. without the bulbs, it may be too weak for my tank. 12" may be OK, I guess?

@saltyfilmfolks may have a better response to that

 

[taj0930]

It's a 4 bulb t5 - 36". I got a 24" bar just to put some pop towards the middle of the tank where the corals will b

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

@saltyfilmfolks may have a better response to that

thats whet she said.

Yea lame response right?

 

[DracoKat]

give it a shot! You can always raise it up or buffer it somehow if you feel its too strong. I think it'll be fine.

and salty- lame. right. lol

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

do you have other lights with it? I have t5's on mine.. without the bulbs, it may be too weak for my tank. 12" may be OK, I guess?

@saltyfilmfolks may have a better response to that

It's a 4 bulb t5 - 36". I got a 24" bar just to put some pop towards the middle of the tank where the corals will b

Bad jokes aside, (sorry draco) Id have to meter the light to say, but it def wont hurt.
A quick test would be if the light looks and appears MUCH brighter than the t5s lower the intensity. if it just adds pop or just a taste more than pop its prob fine.

 

[taj0930]

Ok thanks!!