best t5 combo

[fishymann]

my bulbs don't need to be replaced yet but I am just looking because of all the different brands and holy cow I am not looking forward to picking bulbs. So what do you guys like and prefer? I have a standard 55 gallon with a 4 light fixture. Currently have 2 actinics and 2 daylight bulbs. Just keeping softies and a few LPS. Want the tank to really "pop" but not radiate blue during my entire lighting schedule.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[rtparty]

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ New Generation and 1 ATI Purple Plus

 

[Herk]

I would recommend:
(2) ATI aquablue specials
(1) ATI Blue +
(1) ATI Purple +

 

[fishymann]

thanks guys. any others?

 

[williamjhitchcock]

my fav. is
50% ATI Aquablue
50% ATI Blue Plus

 

[rtparty]

my fav. is
50% ATI Aquablue
50% ATI Blue Plus

Have you ever replaced an Aquablue with a Purple Plus?

I used to like Aquablue bulbs until I realized how much color they washed out of my tank. They are a cold bulb with little color enhancing properties. The purple bulbs warm up the tank and bring out colors that a 50/50 combo misses/

 

[solitude127]

How does the KZ New Gen differ from the ATI AB?

If you like a little more blue try
3 ATI B+
1 ATI P+

 

[rtparty]

How does the KZ New Gen differ from the ATI AB?

If you like a little more blue try
3 ATI B+
1 ATI P+

The New Gen has a bluer tint to it. It isn't nearly as white so it doesn't wash colors out like an Aquablue does.

 

[Bedroomgangsta]

Dont you need some sort of daylight though, In my 4 bulb I have the exact same, two 10000K and Two Actinic blue. If you do all "color enhancing" bulbs wont the corals die off or not thrive as much? Do you get as much par just using persay 2 Blue+ and 2 Purp+?

 

[kissman]

i would recommend:
(2) ati aquablue specials
(1) ati blue +
(1) ati purple +

+1

 

[solitude127]

Dont you need some sort of daylight though, In my 4 bulb I have the exact same, two 10000K and Two Actinic blue. If you do all "color enhancing" bulbs wont the corals die off or not thrive as much? Do you get as much par just using persay 2 Blue+ and 2 Purp+?

It's more about PAR than it is "daylight". The B+ produce a good amount of PAR

 

[Bedroomgangsta]

Yeah i guess i just presumed that "daylight" produced more par due to the lack of colour spectrum. Well news to me! Thanks, i will definitely be changing my bulbs soon, im about 5-6 months in so its close to time.

 

[rtparty]

Yeah i guess i just presumed that "daylight" produced more par due to the lack of colour spectrum. Well news to me! Thanks, i will definitely be changing my bulbs soon, im about 5-6 months in so its close to time.

Purple bulbs are daylight bulbs.

ATI Blue Plus bulbs are the highest PAR bulbs out there. That is one main advantage to T5 setups. We can use more blue bulbs and not worry about hurting PAR.