My new 4 bulb light fixture

[SeaCilla1212]

Hello everyone I just ordered a new light fixture and it's a 4 bulb T5. I bought a coral plus bulb and a blue plus bulb to put in it. So there's two more bulbs I need to buy for it. I was curious what color I should get. Some people say I should get a pink bulb cuz it will help bring out the color of my fish and corals and then other people say just get another blue plus and another coral plus. I don't know what to do. Any suggestions for the best color?

 

[phg1960]

What size bulbs do you need? I have an assortment of end of life 36" tubes. They would be fine to play with in determining what look right to you.

 

[Bao]

Well that is hard to say. Do you want your tank to look a bit more bluer or whiter?
You can do the following combo:
Front:
B+
C+
AquaBlue Special
B+
Back.

Front: This one is a bit more blue.
B+
C+
C+
B+
Back.

or if you want it to look a bit more bluer.

Front
B+
C+
P+
B+
Back

I would try combo number 2 and see if you like it.. Next year you can try some other combo.
I am changing my bulbs in a few weeks but my Sunpower has 6 bulbs
so I will do:
B+
C+
P+
B+
C+
B+
Back.

 

[SeaCilla1212]

If I do throw a pink bulb in there does it really help the color like noticeably or not really?

 

[Bao]

It won't magically make your corals or fishes looking really good. However it does help to bring out the red and pink colors a bit more.
But really, the only way for you to really know is to actually put in the bulbs and observe it for a few weeks. Those T5 bulbs are pretty reasonable priced, less than 20 dollars each. Buy a few of them and try it out.

There are too many variables that come into play here. Light is only a part of it.
Few years ago, my corals were not looking as good, so I thought it was because of the bulb combinations. However, now my bulb combo is still the same but my corals is much more colorful because my tank is more mature and water quality is better. That why I said the light is just a part of it.