Help me pick T5 bulbs for 8x54W Tek Light Elite T5

[Bao]

Hello everyone..
Never used T5 before but want to take advantage of the 10% off during the holiday season and get myself a 48" 8x54W Tek Light Elite T5.

Currently my tank is only a 75 gallons, so its a 18" wide, so I am just going to use 6 bulbs instead of the whole 8 bulbs.. Thinking of upgrading to a 120 in the future.

Right now I have a 250 Watt MH with Phoenix 14K bulb with IceCap ballast.
I want the color to look exactly like what I have now. Please help me choose 6 bulbs for this new light system.

Thanks,

 

[gonorth16]

this is how my tek 5 bulb combo is. I have a 120g
1. ati blue +
2. uvl 75/25
3.ati blue+
4. ati blue +
5 fiji purple
6. ati blue +
7. ati blu +
8 ati blue +

 

[jackthestrat]

this is how my tek 5 bulb combo is. I have a 120g
1. ati blue +
2. uvl 75/25
3.ati blue+
4. ati blue +
5 fiji purple
6. ati blue +
7. ati blu +
8 ati blue +

IMO Gonorth's list is more of a 20k Radium on Eballast look. Try balancing out a couple of the blue+'s with AB Specials. I.E...


1. ati blue +
2. uvl 75/25
3.AB Special
4. ati blue +
5 at blue +
6. AB Special
7. Fiji purple
8 ati blue +

 

[Cjtabares]

I had a 6 bulb back to front with 4 ATI blue + and 2 Fiji purple. If I was to get a 8 bulb I would try 5 blue + and 3 Fiji purple. If that was to much I would try a white bulb. People seemed to like it but idk if this is for everyone.

 

[Bao]

what are the different between those bulbs??
How can I combine them to get the 14K Phoenix color like I have now without buying 20 of them and try different combination?

 

[Reefried]

A good idea to start is half blue plus bulbs running them in every other slot...then you only have to choose 3 more bulbs. And to match what you have now I'd go with 2 aquablue specials and a kz figi purple

 

[JohnK]

I run;

aquablue
blue +
Figi purple
aquablue
blue +
aquablue

Do you know for sure how the switches on the tek are wired? (can it run only 6 lamps?)

 

[Reefried]

I think it can but u may not be able to leave the last two spots open as I think slots 2 and 7 are on a separate switch