Lighting a 40B

[racefan]

I'm needing to replace the bulbs in my 4 bulb T-5 fixture on my 40b. I do not have any SPS. Just softies is all. I was thinking all ATI bulbs & going with 1 aqua blue special 2 blus plus & 1 either purple plus or 1 true actinic. What's your thoughts or recommendations?

 

[rtparty]

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Coral Plus and 1 ATI Purple Plus

 

[llebcire]

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Coral Plus and 1 ATI Purple Plus

Have you seen this combo in person? Seems everyone is suggesting this but I can't find pics other than one bad iPhone post.

Looking to change all 4 bulbs as well - currently have 2 Blue+, KZ Purple & Aquablue.

-Eric

 

[rtparty]

Have you seen this combo in person? Seems everyone is suggesting this but I can't find pics other than one bad iPhone post.

Looking to change all 4 bulbs as well - currently have 2 Blue+, KZ Purple & Aquablue.

-Eric

Nope, no pictures from me. It will be slightly more blue than your current setup and won't be as washed out. The Aquablue bulb washes colors out IMO.

 

[Mr Neon]

I am getting my ATI bulbs soon to replace the first set.

2-blue
2-Aqua-Blue

Now, I am going
2-Blue
1-Aquar Blue
1-Purple

The last set-up of bulbs was too white like a 10/12k

BTW I also have a 40G Breeder.

Looking at LED's as well but still on the fence. My reasons is performance over the years plus most say I need 2 units if I bought the AI Sol or other higher end LED's. $700 to $800 for an LED set-up would take about 5 years to break even if I just keep replacing my ATI bulbs twice a year. I can re-tro fit my canopy and use a mixture of white/warm white LEDS and ATI blue/purple just to get a shimmer like the MH..

 

[Mr Neon]

I am getting my ATI bulbs soon to replace the first set.

2-blue
2-Aqua-Blue

Now, I am going
2-Blue
1-Aqua Blue
1-Purple

The last set-up of bulbs was too white like a 10/12k

BTW I also have a 40G Breeder.

Looking at LED's as well but still on the fence. My reasons is performance over the years plus most say I need 2 units if I bought the AI Sol or other higher end LED's. $700 to $800 for an LED set-up would take about 5 years to break even if I just keep replacing my ATI bulbs twice a year. I can re-tro fit my canopy and use a mixture of white/warm white LEDS and ATI blue/purple just to get a shimmer like the MH..

 

[Mr Neon]

Sorry dbl post

 

[rtparty]

I am getting my ATI bulbs soon to replace the first set.

2-blue
2-Aqua-Blue

Now, I am going
2-Blue
1-Aquar Blue
1-Purple

The last set-up of bulbs was too white like a 10/12k

BTW I also have a 40G Breeder.

Looking at LED's as well but still on the fence. My reasons is performance over the years plus most say I need 2 units if I bought the AI Sol or other higher end LED's. $700 to $800 for an LED set-up would take about 5 years to break even if I just keep replacing my ATI bulbs twice a year. I can re-tro fit my canopy and use a mixture of white/warm white LEDS and ATI blue/purple just to get a shimmer like the MH..

2 Blue, 1 Purple and 1 Aquablue is pretty white as well. The Purple Plus is a bright daylight type bulb. I suggest replacing the Aquablue with a Coral Plus. That will get you closer to the 14k look.

 

[Mr Neon]

Too late, order is on its way, shipped...so I am struck if I don't like it. Anyhow, I got about 8 months to ponder the LED trend and if I want to go that route. It will depend on how well my corals are doing with the T5's and costs.

 

[racefan]

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Coral Plus and 1 ATI Purple Plus

I took your suggestion and ordered those bulbs. What order in the fixture do you think they should be in?

 

[Mr Neon]

For me I will run them from front of the tank to back

1-Blue
1-AquaBlue Plus
1- Purple
1-Blue

I assume other may have something different but this seems to work pretty good for me. I get a nice even spread of blue when the daylight bulbs go off.

 

[rtparty]

I took your suggestion and ordered those bulbs. What order in the fixture do you think they should be in?

On a 4 bulb it doesn't matter too much but make sure you have a blue in front and the rear. I like the Purple in the second slot because the red light will strike the viewing side of the coral more.

 

[Mr Neon]

I will try that when they come in. I got a cool zoa colony today with reds/greens at the LFS.

 

[racefan]

I got my bulbs today (2-Blue+ 1 Coral+ 1 Purple+) They are a little bluer than I thought they were going to be. Which is good, I was running 2 Blue+ 1 Current 10K 1 Current 420nm and it was just a little too white. Overall I'm happy with the coloration. The colors on the corals seem to pop better now & Reefgeeks did a great job of packing the bulbs so they did not get damaged in shipping.

 

[llebcire]

I got my bulbs today (2-Blue+ 1 Coral+ 1 Purple+) They are a little bluer than I thought they were going to be. Which is good, I was running 2 Blue+ 1 Current 10K 1 Current 420nm and it was just a little too white. Overall I'm happy with the coloration. The colors on the corals seem to pop better now & Reefgeeks did a great job of packing the bulbs so they did not get damaged in shipping.

Thanks for the update - interested in knowing your thoughts after 24 hours as well as a pic if possible.

I've been waiting to pull the trigger on this combo since early January. Currently have 2 Blue+, 1 Aquablue and 1 KZ Purple. Tank is too white with a pink hue which I attribute to the KZ Purple and ATI is supposed to be similar. hesitant with the ATI Purple plus but everyone seems to enjoy this new combo.

What did you replace - stock bulbs?

-Eric