48" 8 Bulb T5HO Bulb Configuration

[wfo115]

I have a Tek5 48" T5ho 8 Bulb that sits 4" above my water level in a 75 gallon reef tank with more SPS than LPS and some nice softies. I will be replacing the original bulbs soon and would like some advise on which ones and how many of each.

Currently I have:
4 x Actinic White 54W by UV Lighting
4 x Super Actinic R 54W by UV Lighting

I will be buying Giesemann bulbs so here are my choices.
-Giesemann Actinic+
-Giesemann Aqua Blue+
-Giesemann Pure Actinic
-Giesemann Midday
-Giesemann Aqua Flora

 

[Logzor]

Do you have an option for the blue special - it is a step above the midday at 14k or so. Many do a straight up combination of these two bulbs. That can be overkill so you can put some actinic in.

You could do 3 Blue+ 3 Blue Special and 2 Actinic+.

 

[Entropy]

[welcome]

I guess the first question would be are you unhappy with your current setup and if so why? The problem with bulbs (of any kind) is that apart from coral health and tank needs, the biggest factor is your eyeball(s). Some like it white, some blue, some in between.

 

[wfo115]

I don't see the Blue special on there website? Maybe that's the pure actinic?

 

[wfo115]

I am not unhappy with my current setup, but I thought I may get better sps growth with a higher end bulb like the giesemann. I would like just a tad more blue, it seems that my combination is a little to bright as in white. Hope that makes sense, and thanks for the comments so far.

 

[james3370]

factoring in low shipping rates, i have found reefgeek to have about the best overall prices. they also have the new icecap bulbs i have been hearing good things about

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Bulbs/54_Watt/

post it up in this thread. Grim Reefer is the authority on bulb combinations....he is the Sanjay of T5s LOL

fwiw, for my 29, he recommended the following:
(front to back)
* Giesemann Pure Actinic
* ATI Aquablue
* Giesemann 6k
* Giesemann Pure Actinic

 

[swhaley40]

For color and Par a great combo would be 4 ATI Blue plus, 3 ATI Aquablue, and 1 fiji purple. I prefer ATI over the Giesemann.

 

[BNS77]

Just call Reef Geek. I just ordered a 8 bulb configuration, and I wasn't real sure what bulbs to get, so I called them and they walked me through what look i wanted and what kind of corals were going in the tank. They gave me great advice. Super customer service.