T5 Bulb combination Suggestions

[terry4505]

I am in a similar situation. I just picked up at Tek 6 bulb fixture for my 75g. The dawn/dusk switch controls the front and back bulbs. I want a blue-ish/purple-ish look. I am not sure what all the bulbs are that are currently in it right now it is set up

front
blue (not sure what)
Giesemann Aquablue+
blue (not sure)
Giesemann Aquablue+
blue (not sure)
soft purple

The blues and soft purple need to be upgraded (I am adding one new bulb every two weeks or so until they are replaced)

I also added LED moon lights that I picked up at Auto Zone that look amazing at night (if not a bit too bright)

 

[EllieSuz]

Which ATI bulbs would you choose for a four light fixture?

 

[Johnny C]

From what I have read, the ATI actinic blue and aquablue bulbs are generally higher PAR and lower price than similar bulbs in the market.

From my personal testing, the difference in PAR between Giesemann/ATI was negligible. ATI's are cheaper, so I'm a fan. :thumbsup:

So I got my bulbs in ... what do you think? I am looking for a more cool blue look but would still like to grow corals...

Giesemann Aquaflora bulbs are typically meant for freshwater plant growth; I would recommend swapping them out for a few blue bulbs (Blue +, Actinic +) and you'll be golden. How does it look to you?

Which ATI bulbs would you choose for a four light fixture?

This is what Grim typically recommends (from front to back):

-ATI Blue Plus
-KZ Figi Purple
-ATI Blue Plus
-ATI Aquablue Special

 

[sedorusc]

I gave the suggestion of the aquaflora. Back when I was purchasing my fixture I asked grim about the giesemann bulbs and that was what was suggested. My bulbs are coming close to the end of life so I'll buy them off you if they don't work out for you. Any idea why grim suggested them to me? I didn't think to ask at the time.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

 

[EllieSuz]

Thank you, Johnny C. I see that Reef Geek carries both The ATI and the KZ bulbs, with very reasonable shipping costs.

 

[Johnny C]

Back when I was purchasing my fixture I asked grim about the giesemann bulbs and that was what was suggested. Any idea why grim suggested them to me? I didn't think to ask at the time.

I'm not sure, but Grim admitted in that thread that he has never seen/used an Aquaflora, so I'm not sure why he would recommend it. Either way, a KZ Figi Purple would aesthetically look similar but produce a spectrum more appropriate for reef aquariums. Again; Just my opinion!

 

[EllieSuz]

Reef Geek is temporarily out of stock on the ATI Aquablue Special. Is the Giesemann Aquablue Plus essentially the same bulb?

 

[terry4505]

just purchased two ATI true actinic bulbs from reef geek (they were on sale) to go in my 6 bulb fixture. I have two Geismann Aquablue + bulbs (they are white-ish daylight) and I need two purple blue bulbs... either ATI or Geismann

 

[EllieSuz]

I cannot say enough good things about the customer service at ReefGeek. They were out of stock on the ATI bulb and substituted a Geisemann bulb at the ATI price (-$3.00). Then they extended a 5% credit because they were unable to ship same day as ordered. The communication was amazing. Doing business with RC sponsors is a good thing.

 

[Johnny C]

Glad they got that sorted out for you. Greg and George @ ReefGeek are hobbyists and it shows when it comes to service/support. The bulbs are very similar, you probably wouldn't notice a difference aesthetically.

 

[EllieSuz]

Holy Cow! Installed my new bulbs after lights out last night so I was poised in front of the tank this morning when the lights came on. The difference between these new bulbs and the stock bulbs that came with the fixture a year ago is just astounding! Thank you, Johnny C for the recommendation. It's like having a new aquarium.

 

[terry4505]

I just added two ATI true actinincs (they are purple-ish) to my six bulb tek fixture that already has two Geismann Aquablue+ (daylights) and two blue-somethings that need to be replaced with some Actinic+... The color is awesome!