The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[mhucasey]

Currently running a ATI T5 sunpower 6 bulb w/ the following:
4-ati blue+
1-GE 6500
1-ati coral+

Looking for suggestions on a combo that is a bit bluer w/ some "pop" that I hear actinic bulbs give.

wide open to suggestions... thanks in advance

FYI-I do have an extra aqua blue special bulb that i have never used

Try the following, it will be pretty bright and white with a slight bluish cast, plenty of "pop" too:
Front to back:
Blue Plus
Aquablue Azure
Super Actinic
Fiji Purple or Super Purple
Blue Plus
Actinic blue
Aquablue Special
Aquablue Azure

For slightly less blue without losing the fluorescent pop, substitute another Super Actinic for the middle blue plus. For a really really crisp white, substitute the first blue plus out for another Azure, for the following lineup:
Aquablue Azure
Aquablue Azure
Super Actinic
Fiji Purple or Super Purple
Super Actinic
Actinic blue
Aquablue Special
Aquablue Azure

 

[wicz101]

Try the following, it will be pretty bright and white with a slight bluish cast, plenty of "pop" too:
Front to back:
Blue Plus
Aquablue Azure
Super Actinic
Fiji Purple or Super Purple
Blue Plus
Actinic blue
Aquablue Special
Aquablue Azure

For slightly less blue without losing the fluorescent pop, substitute another Super Actinic for the middle blue plus. For a really really crisp white, substitute the first blue plus out for another Azure, for the following lineup:
Aquablue Azure
Aquablue Azure
Super Actinic
Fiji Purple or Super Purple
Super Actinic
Actinic blue
Aquablue Special
Aquablue Azure

Thanks for the suggestion but I am looking for 6 bulb combos closer to a 20k look with some "pop" only, not 8 bulb combos, sorry for the confusion.

 

[mhucasey]

Thanks for the suggestion but I am looking for 6 bulb combos closer to a 20k look with some "pop" only, not 8 bulb combos, sorry for the confusion.

Sorry about that, six bulb combos are a bit harder to pick for. The "20K" look is kind of hard to define, for example one of my LFS uses 400watt 20K Radiums exclusively and i find them to be a very crisp white with a bit of blue. In comparison the 6blue plus/2Purple plus "20K" look is a deeper, dimmer richer color that looks totally different.

I think a purple bulb is essential, but I am very partial to the Fiji Purple.
Actinic bulbs add pop without shifting so much toward blue.
The Azure is a pure white with a bit of blue.

For 6 bulbs I like:
Blue +
Super Actinic
Aquablue Azure
Fiji Purple
Actinic Blue
Aquablue Azure

 

[jdraider75]

Definitely try the Giesemann Aquablue Azure, its a really nice white blue bulb. The Actinic blue bulb is a nice variation on the Standard "Blue plus" type bulb, with added actinic wavelengths.

Do you like the overall color Pure white(no yellow cast at all), Bluish, Purplish, etc.? How bright do you prefer the tank. Let me know and it will make recommendations easier

No yellow. I like bright with some blue. A little purple is ok but usually ends up pink. Looking for high light combo that makes them grow without losing color. If that makes any sense.
Also looking to mix up the blue bulbs some. The blue plus has that green tint to it thinking maybe some of geismann ' s blue bulbs with blue plus would be a good mix. Just not sure on the other bulbs. Need a combo with good punch. I have clam and digitata and deep waters on bottom of tank I need to keep happy.

 

[jdraider75]

I forgot to add I run position 2 and 6 for 10 hours and others 6 hours. Fixture is currently 9 inches above water line.

 

[mhucasey]

No yellow. I like bright with some blue. A little purple is ok but usually ends up pink. Looking for high light combo that makes them grow without losing color. If that makes any sense.
Also looking to mix up the blue bulbs some. The blue plus has that green tint to it thinking maybe some of geismann ' s blue bulbs with blue plus would be a good mix. Just not sure on the other bulbs. Need a combo with good punch. I have clam and digitata and deep waters on bottom of tank I need to keep happy.

Based on that Id suggest the following:
Aquablue Azure
Aquablue Azure
Super Actinic
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple or Super Purple
Actinic blue
Aquablue Special
Aquablue Azure

 

[jdraider75]

Based on that Id suggest the following:
Aquablue Azure
Aquablue Azure
Super Actinic
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple or Super Purple
Actinic blue
Aquablue Special
Aquablue Azure

Thank you. How is the super purple compared to the fiji? Also the aqua blue azure would it be closer in comparison to aqua blue special or coral plus? Just trying to get an idea of how each bulb looks. Thanks again.

 

[wicz101]

Sorry about that, six bulb combos are a bit harder to pick for. The "20K" look is kind of hard to define, for example one of my LFS uses 400watt 20K Radiums exclusively and i find them to be a very crisp white with a bit of blue. In comparison the 6blue plus/2Purple plus "20K" look is a deeper, dimmer richer color that looks totally different.

I think a purple bulb is essential, but I am very partial to the Fiji Purple.
Actinic bulbs add pop without shifting so much toward blue.
The Azure is a pure white with a bit of blue.

For 6 bulbs I like:
Blue +
Super Actinic
Aquablue Azure
Fiji Purple
Actinic Blue
Aquablue Azure

Thanks a bunch. I understand the the "20k look" is a loose term, my bad. I'm more or less looking a crisp white(mimium to no yellew) with nice blues w/ pop. Would 4-blue+'s, 1-fiji purple and 1-aquablue azure or 1-actinic blue accomplish something close to this? open to anything. thanks much

 

[nyknicks4412]

Looking for a bit of advice...went with ATI Sunpower 4x24 for my IM Fusion nano build. Tank is 24x15x13.

What height would you guys recommend to start at. Tank is pretty shallow so don't want to fry things immediately. Was thinking 10" would be a good starting point?

Also what type of lighting schedule would you recommend. Ideally want the tank to be lit between the hours of 5 and 10. Was thinking something like 2 bulbs on at 12 then other 2 on at 2. Full lights until 8 then 2 on until 10. How does this sound?

Bulb combo:
Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
Blue+

As always thanks for the help.

 

[mhucasey]

Thank you. How is the super purple compared to the fiji? Also the aqua blue azure would it be closer in comparison to aqua blue special or coral plus? Just trying to get an idea of how each bulb looks. Thanks again.

The Super Purple is the successor to the old DD-Giesemann Aquapink, based on the spectrum charts they are pretty similar. I thought that the Aquapink was pretty decent. I dislike the Purple Plus(something about the red just seems off to me). I highly recommend the Fiji Purple bulb, to me there isn't a good substitute.
The Azure isn't like the ABS or Coral plus. Its bright like an ABS, but its pure white, no yellow. A very similar bulb to the Azure is the KZ New Gen which is listed as a 17K bulb. The Coral plus on its own is pinkish in comparison. Several folks here have tried the Azure and so far everyone seems to really like it.

 

[mhucasey]

Thanks a bunch. I understand the the "20k look" is a loose term, my bad. I'm more or less looking a crisp white(mimium to no yellew) with nice blues w/ pop. Would 4-blue+'s, 1-fiji purple and 1-aquablue azure or 1-actinic blue accomplish something close to this? open to anything. thanks much

My impression is that in a combination with white bulbs, after one or two blue bulbs are added the "Pop" doesn't increase all that much, just the blue cast over the reef. An Actinic can push up the "pop" without changing the color toward the blue side as much. Rather than add a bunch of blues I'd use their spots for bulbs that will enhance the visible colors of the reef.
With a truly white reef, where all the major colors reflect properly, the blue corals look much nicer to me than a more heavily blue tank where everything has a bluish cast, yellows look greenish, etc.
I still think based on your description that you would like the recommended combo:
Blue +
Super Actinic
Aquablue Azure
Fiji Purple
Actinic Blue
Aquablue Azure

 

[mhucasey]

Looking for a bit of advice...went with ATI Sunpower 4x24 for my IM Fusion nano build. Tank is 24x15x13.

What height would you guys recommend to start at. Tank is pretty shallow so don't want to fry things immediately. Was thinking 10" would be a good starting point?

Also what type of lighting schedule would you recommend. Ideally want the tank to be lit between the hours of 5 and 10. Was thinking something like 2 bulbs on at 12 then other 2 on at 2. Full lights until 8 then 2 on until 10. How does this sound?

Bulb combo:
Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
Blue+

As always thanks for the help.

I think that you are on the right track, anywhere between 8 and 10 inches off the tank to start, 2 blues on for 10-12 hours, full light for 6-8 hours.

 

[jdraider75]

The Super Purple is the successor to the old DD-Giesemann Aquapink, based on the spectrum charts they are pretty similar. I thought that the Aquapink was pretty decent. I dislike the Purple Plus(something about the red just seems off to me). I highly recommend the Fiji Purple bulb, to me there isn't a good substitute.
The Azure isn't like the ABS or Coral plus. Its bright like an ABS, but its pure white, no yellow. A very similar bulb to the Azure is the KZ New Gen which is listed as a 17K bulb. The Coral plus on its own is pinkish in comparison. Several folks here have tried the Azure and so far everyone seems to really like it.

Thanks. I have same opinion of the purple plus bulb. I have been running the fiji for a while no and I really like it. Sounds like the azure bulb is just what I have been looking for.

 

[mhucasey]

Thanks. I have same opinion of the purple plus bulb. I have been running the fiji for a while no and I really like it. Sounds like the azure bulb is just what I have been looking for.

It really sucks since its so easy to get a Purple Plus! The Azure is a really nice bulb. It seems like Giesemann took a step back from their old DD-Giesemann lineup and improved all of their bulbs. Next time I get bulbs I'm interested to try the new Aquablue Coral as well.

 

[jdraider75]

It really sucks since its so easy to get a Purple Plus! The Azure is a really nice bulb. It seems like Giesemann took a step back from their old DD-Giesemann lineup and improved all of their bulbs. Next time I get bulbs I'm interested to try the new Aquablue Coral as well.

Just out of curiosity what is your current combo? And I put a couple of super actinic bulbs on my lps tank and I like the look better than the Ati true actinic. Seems brighter looking to my eyes.

 

[wicz101]

My impression is that in a combination with white bulbs, after one or two blue bulbs are added the "Pop" doesn't increase all that much, just the blue cast over the reef. An Actinic can push up the "pop" without changing the color toward the blue side as much. Rather than add a bunch of blues I'd use their spots for bulbs that will enhance the visible colors of the reef.
With a truly white reef, where all the major colors reflect properly, the blue corals look much nicer to me than a more heavily blue tank where everything has a bluish cast, yellows look greenish, etc.
I still think based on your description that you would like the recommended combo:
Blue +
Super Actinic
Aquablue Azure
Fiji Purple
Actinic Blue
Aquablue Azure

Great thanks!

 

[mhucasey]

Just out of curiosity what is your current combo? And I put a couple of super actinic bulbs on my lps tank and I like the look better than the Ati true actinic. Seems brighter looking to my eyes.

Currently it is:
Blue Plus
Aquablue Azure
Super Actinic
Fiji Purple
Super Actinic
Actinic Blue
Aquablue Special
KZ New Gen

I just swapped in the blue plus bulb yesterday, before that I had a KZ New Gen in position 1.

 

[mhucasey]

Great thanks!

You're very welcome

 

[jdraider75]

Thanks a bunch. By the way I have been looking at your tank thread. Beautiful tank! Keep up the good work.

 

[mhucasey]

Thanks a bunch. By the way I have been looking at your tank thread. Beautiful tank! Keep up the good work.

Thanks very much!