types of bulbs.

[danno23]

Hi everyone, I have a 75 gallon talk and right now only have a 4 by 54
watt t5ho. Theres is plans to upgrade the lighting eventually. My question is it has became time to change the bulbs and I want to know what bulb configuration I can use to get a little more light into the tank but still have the nice blue colour and which type of bulbs..guiesman ati etc.. Right now there is just a few soft corals in the tank and softies are all I plan on keeping until upgrading the lights. As well, there is only one power cord so there is no option to have just atinics then daylights unless I manually push the button everytime ,so all lights are on at the same time. As i said planning on new lights with seperate on off and more wattage but it may not be for a while.

thanks

 

[cubsFAN]

3 ati blue plus
1 ati blue special

this will give good light and a blue look.

 

[svaningen]

Firing a Fiji purple would help with the reds

 

[jhoff]

2 ATI blue+
1 KZ fiji purple
1 GE 6500k

 

[danno23]

Thanks, So many options I dont know what to go with...

 

[danno23]

Anyone else got an opinion.

 

[danno23]

the tank doesnt have any reds but it has a bunch of green so should I not go with the fiji purple and go with something else.

thanks

 

[gldnegle76]

Front to back:

ATI Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus

 

[gonpostal]

I have 2 ATI Aquablue Special and 2 Giesemann Actinic Plus. The Aquablue Specials are pretty white, and the Giesemanns add a bluish tint, and bring out the colors nicely. I tried adding a UVL Actinic White to the mix, but it was a little too much purple for my taste. IMHO, I wouldn't use a purple bulb if you only have a 4 bulb fixture. If you had 6 or 8 bulbs, it would probably look better because the purple would be canceled out a little more. It all depends on your taste. I like mine bluish-white

 

[danno23]

I want it to look blueish..if thats even a word, But to also add a little light as I know it isnt piles at the time until I upgrade.

 

[gonpostal]

The Aquablue Specials put out a lot of PAR. The Actinic Plus, not as much. A lot of people like the ATI Blue Plus, which also put out good PAR. Maybe you could use them in place of the Giesemanns. Reef Geek has details about about the colors all of the bulbs they sell. http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Replacement_Bulbs/T5_Fluorescent/54_Watt/
Here's a thread from another forum that lists the PAR readings from a lot of bulbs. http://216.187.96.54/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=44531 They culled the info from threads on RC, and put it all in one place.

 

[danno23]

Perfect, I guess im going with ATI bulbs as they seem to have much higher par rating.. Now which ones. If I want a blue look but good amount of output would 2 ATI Blue Special, 1 ATI sun pro, 1 ATI Blue plus..

any idea how that would look. What order should they be in .

thanks

 

[gonpostal]

If I were you, I'd go with 2 Aquablue Special and 2 Blue Plus.
Front to back:
Blue Plus
Aquablue Special
Blue Plus
Aquablue Special
The Aquablue Special are more white with a hint of blue. I don't think your tank will be too blue with those 4 bulbs. I've never tried the Sun Pro though. I have LPS and softies in my tank, and they're all doing great. I also just put a monti cap (SPS) at the top of my tank a couple of weeks ago, and it's doing fine so far. My Giesemanns put out less PAR than the ATI Blue Plus.

 

[Hiker_]

If you go to reefgeek.com and call them they will set you up with exactly what you need for optimal lighting. Greg is very helpful and knowledgeable.

 

[rtparty]

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

That will be a 14k look and pop all colors for you. ATI doesn't make the Sun Pro anymore to my knowledge. They have the Blue Plus, Aquablue and Actinic. They even cancelled the Pro Color.

 

[danno23]

What benefit will the fiji purple be as opposed to another aqua blue. The only colour really in there right now are green and some yellow.


thanks

Dan

 

[cubsFAN]

if you want to bring out green and yellow i'd go with a ge 6500k. id do that and 3 blue plus for a nice blue color and good par.

 

[danno23]

I think I have decided to go with one ge6500, one blue special and two blue plus,

or

should i go with one ge 6500k, 2 blue special and one blue plus.