4 bulb T5 bulb choices

[roshi719]

I have a 4 bulb fixture that is going over a frag tank that is mostly zoos and chalices. I want a very blue color as that is what I like. what would be my best bulb choices for this fixture?

 

[reefdan]

my rec:

3 blue plus, 1 blue special (ati bulbs)

you could also try:

3 blue plus, 1 ge 6500

or:

2 blue plus, 2 blue special

as you can see, the blue+ is key to your success. there are other bulbs out there that have a similar spectrum as the b+. i haven't tried those but the b+ is tried and true and reasonably priced

 

[reefdan]

oh, and if you go w/ 3 b+, you want two of them in the front so you have to look through 2 of them first

 

[blaze98]

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight

My tank loves this combo, it gives good growth and a nice blue color.

 

[MSU Fan]

The best tank I ever saw had this combo.

UVL superactinic
ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue special
GE 65000K daylight


Not in that order though. But honestly most people think that his tank looks photoshopped because of the corals and colors, but it is not. Check out Aquabucket's tank on RC to see it.

 

[reefdan]

i've tried both of the abovementioned combos.

IMO, the UVL aquasun has a pink hue to it. other than that it's a nice bulb. for whatever reason i couldn't get rid of that hue no matter what i did.

the UVL superactinic is a sharp bulb. i would run b+, 6500, superactinic, blue special front to back for best blending. this should give some nice pop.

right now i am running 8 blubs: b+, b+, fiji purple, b+, b special, b+, b special, b+ front to back in my reef. i like my blue.

 

[gilmour01]

1 or 2 uv 14k bulbs and 2 or 3 either giesemann actinic + or ATI blue plus

there's a bazillion combos you could use to get the look you're wanting.

 

[blaze98]

I actually just copied and pasted that from my tank thread. The combo I am running now is blue plus, aquascience 15k, aquascience 22000 k, GE 6500 k.

 

[reefdan]

not to derail the thread but in the interest of having a blue tank: how do the 15k and 22k aquascience compare to other bulbs on the market colorwise?

 

[roshi719]

Interesting info guys. Looks like I'm gonna have to order up some bulbs and do a little playing around.

 

[roshi719]

Next question, where to get the bulbs for the best price?

 

[blaze98]

The only websites I know that carry the Aquascience are aquarium specialty and where I ordered mine from fishnreef.com

reefdan....the aquacience bulbs really make the colors in the tank pop. The 15k is surprisingly blue. They were recommended to me by 143gadgets, he is in my local club.

 

[reefdan]

thanks for the info blaze.

rosh: you can get all of the ATI and UVL bulbs at reefgeek. they carry the fiji purple too

 

[roshi719]

Reefdan: thanks for the help.

I have two blue + in there now as wel as a fiji purple and an aquasun. I love how it looks with just the blue +'s on, but with the other two on it is just too yellow for my taste. Then again I think there should be one more level of blue in MH bulbs cuz 20 K ain't blue enough for me!!

 

[reefdan]

haha i feel the same way roshi -hence my 5 b+. try just swapping the fiji purple for another blue +. the fp is hard to balance in a 4 bulb fixture

 

[roshi719]

I may just give that a shot, but if I'm gonna order a bulb, I'll prolly order a few different ones, so I can justify shipping. Plus I will have some to play around with then!

 

[reefdan]

you're going to end up like me: with a closet full of t5 bulbs.

i have enough to fill another fixture. haha

 

[roshi719]

This is my first non-halide fixture, so I am gonna have fun playing with it!

 

[MSU Fan]

Premium Aquatics has a fairly decent selection and shipping is one price on the first 6 bulbs you order (because of their shipment method).

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Question: I have a friend that only has a two bulb setup and is looking for a slightly blue look....he has a daytime and a 50/50 but is looking into changing and doesnt really care for the day time bulb...any suggestions? I figure one 50/50 and something actinic?? Sorry if i shouldnt ask here on your thread but i figured its on topic...

Thanks