Running only ATI Blue + and Purple +

[platax88]

It's time to replacee bulbs and i got a bunch to play with on my 180gal sps. I am running 8 X 80 watt ati bulbs on IC660 ballasts.

When playing around with the combinations i really loved using only Blue + and Purple + eliminating the Aquablue Special.

Do you guys think that only running the blue and red spectrum will wash out my greens and yellows?

The combo is:

FRONT

Blue +
Purple +
Blue +
Blue +
Blue +
Blue +
Purple +
Blue +

Thanks!

 

[twiddle]

I am setting up a 180 6ft long..how was your SPS growth with just T5s?
I am torn between MH/T5 combo or just T5s

 

[platax88]

growth and color is great IMO!

 

[aleonn]

I've been advised that the greens and yellows would look better if you have a GE6500 bulb. I was also told that Aqua Blue Special washes out colors, so I went with the new ATI Coral Plus (which is 15K spectrum) and GE 6500.

So for my 8 x 80W Tek fixture, I have: 4 Blue Plus, 1 Coral Plus, 2 Purple Plus, and 1 GE 6500. I have an icy white look, so you might want to replace my Coral Plus or GE for a Blue Plus.

 

[davocean]

I was running 4 blue+ and 2 fiji purples and like it, but was thinking just a hint too blue, so I added a aquablue special in place of a blue, and the day it came I read about those washing out colors, and I have to agree(wish I saw the day before...)
I have since ordered a coral + to exchange that, should be here tomorrow, can't wait to see the difference between the two.
As far as growth and coral colors everything seems cool, it was just the overall color was somewhere between 15k-20kish, and I want like a crisp 14k solid look.

 

[davocean]

OOh, coral + looks SO much better than aquablue special!

 

[RoscoPColtrane]

blue+ and purple+ only is ok, but if you put in one or two coral+ the colors will look so much better.

 

[kellerexpress]

I have run only b+ and p+ before with no adverse effects

 

[todd141]

I have 4 b+, 1 coral + and 1 p+. My tank looks the best to me when only the b+ and p+ are turned on. (Those two are the only ones on dawn and dusk.)

 

[platax88]

Thanks everyone for ur feedback. Ive ordered a coral + to add to the mix. This will surely complete the spectrum that the blue+ and purple+ is missing. I just hope it dosent give a washed look like the aquablue specials. Here is the line up once i get it:

Blue +
Purple +
Blue +
Blue +
Coral +
Blue +
Purple +
Blue +

whatcha all think?

 

[kellerexpress]

should work great!

 

[bongarone]

What are you currently running?

I have a 6x54 running

coral
Blue
Purple
Blue
Blue
Coral

And it is too blue for me. Im going to replace the middle blue plus with another coral plus. Should be perfect after that.

 

[coonasssaint]

I was running 4 blue+ and 2 fiji purples and like it, but was thinking just a hint too blue, so I added a aquablue special in place of a blue, and the day it came I read about those washing out colors, and I have to agree(wish I saw the day before...)
I have since ordered a coral + to exchange that, should be here tomorrow, can't wait to see the difference between the two.
As far as growth and coral colors everything seems cool, it was just the overall color was somewhere between 15k-20kish, and I want like a crisp 14k solid look.

I just ordered a 6x54w tek with this same combo 4 blue+ and two Fiji purple They sent me a 6x39w fixture so I had to send it back, but I did hook it up first to check out the color. It does seem a little blue. I might replace one of the blue+ with a coral+ like you did. Did it take some of the blue out for you? Can you post a pic?

 

[platax88]

A though i just had is that i am running my 80watt bulbs on icecap 660s and i think do to them being slightly over-driven, the bulbs burn a bit brighter/whiter.

Cant wait to see how the coral+ does for me. I really like the blue+ and Purple+ only combo, but i think it's important to get a bit of that green wavelength in the mix.

I'm glad to be ditching the aquablue specials!

Davocean -- a pic would rock if you can

 

[davocean]

LOL, I was going to post pics last night and thought, nah, they don't wanna see my tank, but it only takes the slightest of elbow twisting!
Now keep in mind I do have a couple truelumen pro strips on, but they just add shimmer and very slight brightness, overall color is all T5's.

 

[sneaton]

i run 3 b+ and 3 p+ and love the look.....i tried taking out a p+ and adding another b+ and it looked washed out with blue....then i tried a aquablue and i thought it looked yellow....so i stuck with the 3b and 3 p combo and it is sweet

 

[platax88]

LOL, I was going to post pics last night and thought, nah, they don't wanna see my tank, but it only takes the slightest of elbow twisting!
Now keep in mind I do have a couple truelumen pro strips on, but they just add shimmer and very slight brightness, overall color is all T5's.

Looks great man! Is the pic pretty close to the actual color? I see your pinks/reds are glowing from the Purple+ and the greens seem nice and bright... the coral+ probably helps with that.

Do the truelumen pro strips actually add shimmer with the 6 t5 bulbs? Is it worth the investment. I run 8 t5 and if I could EVER get some shimmer in there I would loose my mind!

 

[platax88]

i run 3 b+ and 3 p+ and love the look.....i tried taking out a p+ and adding another b+ and it looked washed out with blue....then i tried a aquablue and i thought it looked yellow....so i stuck with the 3b and 3 p combo and it is sweet

Awesome... how long have you been running only the blues and purples? Have you noticed good growth and color?

 

[davocean]

Looks great man! Is the pic pretty close to the actual color? I see your pinks/reds are glowing from the Purple+ and the greens seem nice and bright... the coral+ probably helps with that.

Do the truelumen pro strips actually add shimmer with the 6 t5 bulbs? Is it worth the investment. I run 8 t5 and if I could EVER get some shimmer in there I would loose my mind!

In the pic I do notice the purple a touch more than what I'm looking at in person.
My truelumens do add a touch of shimmer, but it is hard for them to cut through when all 6 bulbs are on, when my tank is ramping up or down w/ only the two bulbs on there is a lot of shimmer.
Ecoxotic is coming out w/ panorama pro strips in 48" lengths in a few weeks, and I'm supposed to get a couple to try out.
Those are a stronger bulb and have a clip on reflector, should add more shimmer than what I have now.
You may want to wait and see what those do, I'll do a vid that shows shimmer.

 

[coonasssaint]

LOL, I was going to post pics last night and thought, nah, they don't wanna see my tank, but it only takes the slightest of elbow twisting!
Now keep in mind I do have a couple truelumen pro strips on, but they just add shimmer and very slight brightness, overall color is all T5's.

Looks! Awesome! Can't wait to get my new lights. Thanks for the pics