Which ATI 4 bulb Combo would you use?

[khumquat]

So, first off.. the tank is a 65G mixed reef. Handful of small SPS colonies and a handful of different LPS and Zoas/Mushrooms. It's been up for about 2 years. About 6 months ago, I switched from cheap LED back to a nice ATI 4 bulb setup (39W, 36" bulbs). The current combo is [Blue Plus][Coral Plus][Actinic][AquaBlue Spec]. It's too white, and my nice green Frogskin Tort is not really as green as it should be.... So I am thinking of two possible combos to bring out more color. Decided these after watching Advanced Reef's video on YouTube...

Combo 1 (back to front):
Blue Plus
Actinic
Actinic
Purple Plus

Combo 2 (back to front):
Blue Plus
Coral Plus
Actinic
Purple Plus

I am not sure if I need two actinic bulbs or just one, that's why I subbed the CP for the 2nd Actinic in combo 2. Looking for more of a bluer look than white look and wanted to hit the 410-420nm harder for color... Thoughts?

 

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[ronnie]

I have blue actinic blue aquablue special. Really like it, but i have LEDs with mine. Stand alone it's still nice.

 

[joeyhatch11]

I had 3xblue +, 1xcoral + for a while. Liked the overall blue look but wasn't getting the best color. So I swapped out a blue + for another coral+ and colors are changing and some corals are starting to get deeper colors and better PE with my SPS.

 

[ronnie]

I had 3xblue +, 1xcoral + for a while. Liked the overall blue look but wasn't getting the best color. So I swapped out a blue + for another coral+ and colors are changing and some corals are starting to get deeper colors and better PE with my SPS.

I ran this combo and it was too white for my tastes. But it did grow well.

 

[joeyhatch11]

Yeah not a big fan of how white it is. But the color change I'm getting is awesome and growth has been a bit faster.

 

[kevensquint]

I prefer UV T5's for actinic since according to the plots they put out more light than ATI, KZ etc.. I would go with 2 blue plus, 1 coral, and 1 UV actinic.
I actually do go with that combo, but as supplimental for my MH's.

 

[N1Husker]

1 ATI Coral Plus, 2 ATI Blue Plus and 1 KZ Fiji Pink.

 

[goodtimes]

I run
Blue+ blue+ coral + blue +

I like it but I have never tried any other combos.

 

[Mr. D]

I currently run ATI bulbs: 3 blue + and one actinic. I haven't bought a purple plus yet. I like the bluer color. The 3 blue plus and coral plus was a little too white for my preference.

 

[PokyReefs]

I just swapped from ATIs to the new giesemann bulbs and I'm loving it !! Corals haven't looked better !

 

[Mr. D]

Really? What combos?

 

[pwhitby]

I generally prefer the look of a 3:1 ratio of blue to white. where space allows i like to add a single purple bulb. This works well with the 3 blues and 1 white and gives a really good color balance.
On my personal system I use the T5s to supplement the 4 Reeflux MH (250w). These are arrayed in a line down the center of the tank.. in front of each set of 2 MH are 5 T5s, 3 blues, 1 white, 1 purple. Behind are 3 blues (which give a slightly darker backdrop to the tank.
I recently got my hands on the new Geissemans, and I must say, I'm very happy with the output and color. In the past i have ran ATI and other cheap brands I had found, but I always seem to come back to the Geissemans. Its a little early to say I'm seeing great growth, but the corals seem happy- therefore I'm happy.

my tank is 600g, so lighting has always been a tough issue.

 

[Mr. D]

I haven't kept up with new bulbs and such. What kind of new ones has Gieseman have?

 

[PokyReefs]

4 actinic blues 1 aqua blue azure 3 super atinics 2 purples

Really? What combos?

 

[el_ote]

im doing 2 blue+ 1 actinic 1 purple+ I like it, but it is a bit white. may take the purple+ out for a blue+

any pics of your setup Mr. D?

 

[Mr. D]

im doing 2 blue+ 1 actinic 1 purple+ I like it, but it is a bit white. may take the purple+ out for a blue+

any pics of your setup Mr. D?

Not at the moment. I'll try to remember to take a few this afternoon.

 

[Mr. D]

This is set up, downstairs in my office. I don't have an official thread for it bc I've been trying to nurse it back to good health since switching back to t5s a while back.

 

[Ligershark]

blue plus
purple plus
blue plus
blue plus

 

[solitude127]

Giesemann has a new bulb out called the azure. It's in between a coral + and a blue+. It's a great replacement if you're looking for just a little more white in color.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Gieseman...m_Lighting_Systems-CV02557-FILTBUT5HO-vi.html