about to buy new t5 blubs please help

[bigkai]

im about to buy some new blubs im using 3. 420 54w actinic. 2. 18000k 54w. and one 6500k 54w. im thanking about doing a way with 1 18000k and the 6500k and adding 2 10000k or 2 12000k . What would be better the 10000k or the 12000k? Couse i thank i have lost color in my coral with the 6500k and the 18000ks. can some one please help if they have any idea what would look better and what type would be the best to use thanks

 

[btkrausen]

What brand of bulbs are you planning on buying? I think ATI are one of the most popular and most people have great luck with them.

 

[bigkai]

not sure that one of the thangs i was wanting was what kind of bulbs others were using and if they thought one was better than the other

 

[bigkai]

i have ati right now not sure what im going to get yet thats one of the things i was wanting to see was what other people were using and what would be better a 10000k or 12000k for color couse im not liking the 6500k every thang has lost its color but growed realy fast

 

[btkrausen]

I've seen the popular configuration on here is many Blue+ bulbs, a few Aquablue Special, and maybe a fiji pink or purple+. I'm currently running:

Blue+
AquaBlue Special
Purple+
Blue+

 

[bigkai]

no white bulbs

 

[zigzag]

aqua blue speacial is his "white bulb" ...

 

[BlazinNano]

I just order 6 new ATI bulbs from bulk reef. 5 blue+ (actinic) and 1 aquablue special (white). I think the aquablue specials are rated at 12000k

 

[btkrausen]

no white bulbs

The Aquablue Special bulb is pretty white, its a 12,000k lamp. Blue+ are fairly blue, and the purple+ are supposed to bring out reds/purple colors.

 

[bigkai]

ok i had no clue thats why i was asking lol i just dont want my hammer and frog to be brown any more i liked it when it was green and green with purple so what about the 18000k's thank that might be were the brown is comeing from

 

[btkrausen]

If you get the bulbs I mentioned above, you show be able to get plenty of color out of those corals. The more blueish bulbs you have, the more the colors like green and purple should stand out.

 

[BlazinNano]

6700k = yellow, 10000k pure white, anything over 10000k you start adding a hint of blue to the white.

 

[oigimsar]

+1 to what was suggested above. I would go with mostly blue+ and then an Aquablue and and a purple+

 

[Octospek]

i just ordered 2 blue+ an aquablue special and a fiji purple. i love it nothing is brown and it isn't too blue

 

[btkrausen]

Seems to be "the" color combination for the ATI bulbs. Almost everyone I know that runs ATI runs that same color combination.

 

[bigkai]

were do yall get your bulbs at

 

[btkrausen]

were do yall get your bulbs at

I run my over top of my tank :hammer:

No really, my T5s are about 8 inches from the water on my frag tank. I am getting absolutely crazy growth on this pink millie I have, like over an inch in a month. The others in the tank aren't doing much at all, but that one coral loves it :)

 

[bigkai]

ok lol were do yall buy your bulbs what web site has the best deals the last time i bought bulbs i got them from Dr Foster&Smith

 

[btkrausen]

ok lol were do yall buy your bulbs what web site has the best deals the last time i bought bulbs i got them from Dr Foster&Smith

Oh man, I swear that said "where do you keep them at?" Now its not as funny haha.

I've been buying my from Premium Aquatics, but its an extra $10 for the bulb box. I've had them ship to me, and the box they use is super sturdy. With you being in TN, it might be next day shipping for you as well. It is for me :)

 

[bigkai]

ok i will check them out. i got another question how long do yall have your lights on for? and do yall have them set to come on in groups at dif times. i have mine set to come on at 9am with just 2. 420 actinics. than at 11am 1. 420 actinic and a 18000k. than at 1 pm my 6700k and a 18000k comes on. they go off at 8pm than 9 pm than 10pm