ATI T5 Bulb combo reccomendations

[Ira]

Hi All,

Going to get an 8 bulb T-5 fixture for my new 36x24x24 (90 gal) I am having built. This is my first run at T-5's and want some input on bulbs. I am planning on going with ATI an am having trouble deciding what bulbs I want to get, my main problem is deciding between the coral+ and the aquablue special

So I am thinking of a layout like this:

Coral+/Aquablue special
Super Blue
Coral+/Aquablue special
Purple Plus
True Actinic
Coral+/Aquablue special
Super Blue
Coral+/Aquablue special

Can anyone give me any tips? I tend to like the 16-18k look on my tanks.

Ira

 

[powderhound]

Use the coral plus instead of the aquablue specials. Might want to do 5 blue plus 2 coral plus an actinic and a purple plus. Gives a nice 15 to 20k look. The ab specials are really white and wash out done colors.

 

[triguy]

I recently saw another thread on here regarding bulb selection for this fixture. I have had this fixture since February, so I am getting ready to change bulbs and also wanted to see what others were running.

I didn't care for the AquaBlue Specials, so I went with 5 Blue+, Fiji Purple, and 2 KZ New Generations.

I have read some reviews on the Coral Plus, so I am thinking of keeping the same bulbs but switching the KZ New Generations for the Coral Plus bulbs.

 

[row12]

I've had the ATI 8x39 watt fxture for about a year now. Initially I was running 5 ATI Blue+, 1 Fiji purple, and 2 KZ New Generations. I really liked the appearance of this setup. I just recently swapped out my bulbs and I'm now running 5 ATI Blue+, 1 ATI purple+, 1 Coral+, and 1 GE6500K. I like this setup as well. The reason why I switched from the KZ new generation and fiji purple was because the ATI's are easier to get then the KZ brand. I could've ran 2 Coral+ instead of the 1 Coral+ and 1 GE6500K, but I want to see what kind of growth and colors I can get with the lower kelvin bulb. I really like the Coral+ bulb as it's almost identical to the KZ new generation. From the reviews i've read more people switch from the Aquablue special to the Coral+.

@Triguy - I'm located in Chula Vista if you ever want to come down and see my setup. It's SPS dominant

 

[dowtish]

Use the coral plus instead of the aquablue specials. Might want to do 5 blue plus 2 coral plus an actinic and a purple plus. Gives a nice 15 to 20k look. The ab specials are really white and wash out done colors.

+1 to this

Exactly what I would recommend