Best actinic t5 bulb.

[RedReefer]

I'm currently running ATI's true actinic in conjunction with blue+, Purple+ and coral +The ATI actinic bulbs look really purple. Peaking at 420. I'm looking for a actinic bulb that peaks around 450-460. I'm not worried about the par drop as my (6bulb) 36" sunpower is a overkill for my 36" 57 gal. I also have a 36" reefbrite mounted to my sunpower. I've been looking at the giesemann actinic plus and the UVL 454 bulbs. Will anyone with experience with this chime in?

 

[Mike J.]

I'm studying this intensively right now as I'm about to order 12 new bulbs. I'm not sure if you're picking out the correct bulb that's causing your purple look. I'm thinking that your combination of bulbs is causing this. Specifically the Coral Plus and the Purple Plus bulbs will give you a very purple look.

Here are two very good videos that show the color combination together.

Making the T5 Changeup in Reef Aquarium Lighting

 

[RedReefer]

I'm studying this intensively right now as I'm about to order 12 new bulbs. I'm not sure if you're picking out the correct bulb that's causing your purple look. I'm thinking that your combination of bulbs is causing this. Specifically the Coral Plus and the Purple Plus bulbs will give you a very purple look.

Here are two very good videos that show the color combination together.

Making the T5 Changeup in Reef Aquarium Lighting

Actually leaving all bulbs in and swapping the ATI actinic with a white or blue bulb the purple/greenish look disappeared. I actually picked up a wave point super blue actinic 460 today and it looks much better the the ATI true actinic.

 

[RedReefer]

Video is very educational.

 

[scoobysnack77]

I always loved the look of the ati actinic bulbs but replaced it with a purple plus to raise my par up a bit and bring my pinks out. What bulb did you go with?

 

[RedReefer]

I always loved the look of the ati actinic bulbs but replaced it with a purple plus to raise my par up a bit and bring my pinks out. What bulb did you go with?

Scoobysnack what's your bulb combo, tank size(depth), light height and brand of fixture? Being that my tank is only a 57 gallon and 18 inches deep I have to run my life fixture 12" of the water. I was actually burning some of my coral on the sand bed until I dropped the par and lighting hours. My tank is a 3' tank and my fixture is a 3' ATI sunpower. I'm currently running A cheaper wave point 460 blue actinic and also the ATI actinic just for a few more months until it's time to replace all my bulbs. So right now, my current bulb combo=(2) blue plus bulbs, (1) coral plus, (1) purple plus, (1) wave point blue actinic 460, and (1) ati true actinic.