T-5 Lighting Combinatons.

[rob14204]

Hello,

I have a Nova xtreme 4 bulb T-5 over my 75 gallon tank. I was wondering what combinations are out there for best color/growth. I am keeping soft corals for now. Thanks Rob

 

[jaybfresh]

Theres a bazillion page thread in the lighting forum about this. The common answer for a 4 bulb fixture is 2 ATI Blue+, 1 ATI Aquablue, and 1 KZ Fiji Purple for a bluish look. I run with the same combo with 2 extra Blue+ bulbs.

 

[briangsxr1000]

I am wondering what to do also with my new tek8. I have a lps dominant tank....not sure what I am going to do yet...

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

Theres a bazillion page thread in the lighting forum about this. The common answer for a 4 bulb fixture is 2 ATI Blue+, 1 ATI Aquablue, and 1 KZ Fiji Purple for a bluish look. I run with the same combo with 2 extra Blue+ bulbs.

+1 on that. Pretty standard. especially for good blue look.

Growth wise, you want to have a 10,000 K daylight.
10,000 K produces the best growth in any light type.

14,000K is actually my favorite and 20,000K is about the bluest of them.(simulates the deeper waters)

But 10K is def what you want for growth. Not always the best "look" though.

 

[Gravesj1s]

I agree with the others said.

I run a 4 bulb fixture over a 72 gal.tank. Yeah according to grimreefers comparison the UVL 75/25 is the same as the KZ purple but quite a bit cheaper.
Grims rec.
ati blueplus
ati aquablue special
uvl 75/25 or kz purple
ati blueplus
run in that order.

 

[cardiffgiant]

The color of the UVL 75/25 and KZ fiji are very similar. The KZ has a lot more output, and may be worth the premium price if you are trying to get more red without losing PAR.

 

[Gravesj1s]

The color of the UVL 75/25 and KZ fiji are very similar. The KZ has a lot more output, and may be worth the premium price if you are trying to get more red without losing PAR.

Interesting to know. When I asked Grim he steered me towards the uvl.Maybe I misread what he suggested.
-thanks Graves

 

[jaybfresh]

Also worth noting the ATI Blue+ par is on level with most "daylight" bulbs, and even higher than some, which is why its the defacto "blue bulb" used by almost everyone

 

[briangsxr1000]

What do you guys suggest for a 6 bulb setup? I am ordering today and need ot know the bulbs to go with it.
Thanks!

 

[jaybfresh]

I use 4 ATI Blue+, 1 KZ Fiji Purple, and 1 ATI Aquablue. This is a pretty good 20k look (the 2 'white' bulbs balance out the 4 Blue+ bulbs).

For a 14k look you can take out one Blue+ and add another Aquablue or a 6500k bulb (GE makes a cheap one with good par)

 

[briangsxr1000]

cool thanks! I want growth along with it looking good.