T5 bulb choices for color

[GHOSTLY]

Im currently running an xr15 g4 on a 20g im tank and while its good, there's pretty heavy shading. I don't want to drop big bucks on some leds so I was thinking of picking up a 24in sunblaster single bulb fixture. Im running ab+ spectrum at 57% on the radion atm and just want a light to suppliment the color of ab and also to prevent shading on my acros. Anyone have a suggestion for which ones the best by ati? Seeing a lot of mixed reviews

 

[Biokabe]

Overall, the Blue Plus bulb is the standard. Aqua Blue Special is fine if you want the color to trend a bit more towards neutral/daylight colors. For my supplemental T5s, I have two Blue Plus, one Aqua Blue, and one Purple Plus. If I were just running one, I'd do the Blue Plus, as it does tend to match the AB+ coloration the closest.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Overall, the Blue Plus bulb is the standard. Aqua Blue Special is fine if you want the color to trend a bit more towards neutral/daylight colors. For my supplemental T5s, I have two Blue Plus, one Aqua Blue, and one Purple Plus. If I were just running one, I'd do the Blue Plus, as it does tend to match the AB+ coloration the closest.

The thing that sucks is my lfs only has a purple plus in my size. What do you feel about them? Im trying to find some local. Also any tips on mounting height for 1 bulb

 

[Biokabe]

If you really don't want to have one shipped (is supply more difficult in Canada, or do you just not want to deal with the shipping?), the Purple Plus will be fine. Your XR15 will still dominate the color of the tank, so while the T5 will shift the shading it won't take over. If Purple is all you can find locally, just get it and see how it looks over your tank. A single 24" bulb isn't that expensive so you can always replace it if you really don't like how it looks.

As far as mounting height - 4-8" is pretty normal. Mine are mounted about 12" from the water's surface, but I also run three XR15 in addition to the 4 T5 bulbs, so I can get away with losing a little PAR from having them mounted higher.

On its own, the Purple does tend to run a bit towards the reddish side. If you want a better idea, I remember there being a video (Maybe from Tidal Gardens, maybe not) that shows a side-by-side comparison of the different bulbs (plus different combinations) over the same tank. I'm at work, so I don't really want to look for it right now, but hopefully it's relatively easy to find on YouTube.

 

[spsick]

If you can only add 1 bulb to your Radion, Purple Plus is a great choice until you can get a Coral Plus.

Either of these will do an outstanding job of light fill, overall brightness, and spectrum fill. Your Radion does a great job of hitting all the blues, so daylight bulbs are a GREAT supplement. This coming from a long time T5 user, and having seen a sps tank that has radions for primary and Coral Plus bulbs as supplement I can say it provides awesome color and growth.

Coral plus and purple plus are why my WWC heartbreaker is solid pink while others it’s half green.

Frag pictured in front and colony behind.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Purple Plus by itself will be very pink/purple. Almost too much on the reds.

This is the bulb combo I run on my acro tank.

1x Coral Plus, 3x Blue Plus, 1x Aquablue Special, 1x Purple Plus

I also run a LED bar for strictly actinic and UV spectrums. T5 actinic bulbs don't do a whole lot in terms of 'pop', so I prefer the T5 bulbs I run to do the majority of the work as far as PAR goes and let the LED's provide the boost of actinic color.

 

[painter1982]

Overall, the Blue Plus bulb is the standard. Aqua Blue Special is fine if you want the color to trend a bit more towards neutral/daylight colors. For my supplemental T5s, I have two Blue Plus, one Aqua Blue, and one Purple Plus. If I were just running one, I'd do the Blue Plus, as it does tend to match the AB+ coloration the closest.

The thing that sucks is my lfs only has a purple plus in my size. What do you feel about them? Im trying to find some local. Also any tips on mounting height for 1 bulb

Brs has them. Takes two days shipping normally. I understand trying local but you gotta think about your needs.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Brs has them. Takes two days shipping normally. I understand trying local but you gotta think about your needs.

Im in Canada so it's easier to order from aquarium depot, I just am lazy. Ill probably end up picking up a coral+ or blue+, any preference?

 

[Drewskiiiii]

Back in the day i ran a PP, a CP, and 2 BP and i loved the look.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Im in Canada so it's easier to order from aquarium depot, I just am lazy. Ill probably end up picking up a coral+ or blue+, any preference?

Coral+ for PAR, Blue+ for less PAR but more blue/aesthetic.

 

[spsick]

A BLUE plus with your Radion will be BLUEEEEE. Get the coral plus 100%. The purple would be fine in a pinch.

@Reginald Reefer III believe it or not they make almost identical PAR.

Weird thing is all 3 of these bulbs spectrum is pretty close, but they look so different to our eyes.

 

[Jarob]

A BLUE plus with your Radion will be BLUEEEEE. Get the coral plus 100%. The purple would be fine in a pinch.

@Reginald Reefer III believe it or not they make almost identical PAR.

Weird thing is all 3 of these bulbs spectrum is pretty close, but they look so different to our eyes.

This