Need help selecting bulbs

[jdeb101]

Need new T5's on 40 breeder. I have a 4 bulb retro configuration. Currently had 4 UVL's, 2 super actinics, 1 aquasun, and 1 aquatinic white. Wasnt pleased with their color and had one of the bulbs dieing out on me so I replaced it temporarily with an old one of these I had lying around http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1340 .

The TRU bulb really lit up the tank and Im quite happy with the color / price. Was thinking of getting 4 TRU bulbs or 4 ATI's since I hear lots of good things about those.

Whats everyones opinions or suggestions on bulb selections?

Thanks!

 

[JohnK]

The "TRU" bulbs are quite weak, I wouldn't reccomend them even if they are cheaper than any other bulb.

I tried a couple of the UVL bulbs, the actinic white and the 75.25. The intensity was much better than the TRU bulbs, but both bulbs put out strange purple/pinkish colors that I didn't like at all.

On a whim I picked up a couple of aquamedic bulbs, reef blue and reef white 10k. I like these bulbs much more than the others I have tried. Nice white/blue color, not the strange looking violet mixed color.

Then again, there are a LOT of bulbs to choose from, and a lot of different opinions.

 

[Bobbofin]

Your gonna laugh, I bought my T5HO bulbs at Petsmart. Hagen Glo bulbs. 2 Marine Glo blue 420/460 actinic and 2 Power Glo 18,000k. The Power Glo look more like a 14,000k, white with a slight pink tint. Nice color!

 

[jdeb101]

I tried a couple of the UVL bulbs, the actinic white and the 75.25. The intensity was much better than the TRU bulbs, but both bulbs put out strange purple/pinkish colors that I didn't like at all.

This is also why Im trying to stear away from the UVL, I dont like that pinkish color they were giving (although I think it was mostly coming from the actinic white bulb).

I dont mind spending a little extra for better color and more reliable bulbs.

 

[wrassefan]

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Replacement_Bulbs/T5_Fluorescent/

I'm partial to 2 GE sun bulbs, 1 ATI actinic and 1 ATI blue

Had this combo on my 90 way back in the day and good color and good growth

 

[jdeb101]

What exactly does the color temperature of bulbs mean? For example, is a 14000K bulb brighter or more white than a 9000K bulb?

 

[JohnK]

If there's any accuracy to how bulbs are advertised, below 10K should start to look yellowish, above 10K white, and a lot above 10K would look blue. Generally the higher the K the lower the intensity.

That said, some of these mixed spectrum T5 bulbs produce very strange colored light. Sort of like the 75.25 is actually accurate and the bulb has isolated spikes on a couple of seperate points on the spectrum with noting in between.

 

[afboundguy]

I currently have 2 ATI blue + (ton of PAR for a blue bulb, more PAR than some daylight bulbs) and 2 Geisemann aquablue for a great white/blue look with great PAR.

My suggestion would be to look at some bulb combo's at member's/LFS to see what look you like and then replicate the bulb combo...

 

[jdeb101]

So this is what Im thinking of ordering soon:

2 - ATI 39W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
1 - ATI 39W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
1 - Korallen Zucht 39W Fiji Purple T5 HO Fluorescent

I think I can get great color and growth from this configuration, my only concern is getting a pinkish tint I dont like.

Also was considering one of each,
ATI Blue Plus, ATI Aqua Blue Special, UVL Superactinic, GE 6500K Daylight

I seen some tanks over at nano-reef.com with these configs and they look great. Any opinions/suggestions?

 

[JayM]

that combo looks awful blue to me...but opinions vary....

 

[this is me]

+1 on this combo. I fire up my ATI Blue+ last night and holy crap!! Really blue and really bright.

I currently have 2 ATI blue + (ton of PAR for a blue bulb, more PAR than some daylight bulbs) and 2 Geisemann aquablue for a great white/blue look with great PAR.

 

[jdeb101]

What makes you guys choose the Geismann Aquablues over the ATI's? jw

 

[afboundguy]

What makes you guys choose the Geismann Aquablues over the ATI's? jw

That's what was at the LFS I don't know which one I would have choosen if I had a choice. According to Grim on RC the ATI has 336 for PAR and the Geisemann has 324 for PAR... A quick look at the spectrums of the two bulbs it looks like the ATI has a little more blue (ATI - http://www.reefgeek.com/reefgeek/6859/T5_aquablue.jpg Geisemann - http://www.reefgeek.com/reefgeek/6839/T5_aquablue.jpg)

 

[this is me]

Geismann is widely available at lfs. But for ATI, I have to order it through reefgeek.com
Here is a site from an RC member who has tested some of the most popular HO T5.
http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/par
So from the par reading, these's no surprise that people are using the UVL as the actinic and ATI aquablue or Geismann Aquablue as the daylight bulb; the highest par.

I'm running UVL actinic and ATI blue plus right now. I think I made a mistake and clicked on the wrong bulb when I checked out at reefgeek.com. What I meant to get was the ATI aquablue, not blue plus. But the blue plus is very bright and very blue. It works quite well as a supplement to my 10K MH.

What makes you guys choose the Geismann Aquablues over the ATI's? jw

 

[mr.gaboozlebag]

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=178954

 

[this is me]

I'll take that back. After two days running it. I think I'll be swapping out the ATI blue Plus for the Aquablue. It's too blue!!

I'm running UVL actinic and ATI blue plus right now. I think I made a mistake and clicked on the wrong bulb when I checked out at reefgeek.com. What I meant to get was the ATI aquablue, not blue plus. But the blue plus is very bright and very blue. It works quite well as a supplement to my 10K MH.

 

[JayM]

that combo looks awful blue to me...but opinions vary....

I'll take that back. After two days running it. I think I'll be swapping out the ATI blue Plus for the Aquablue. It's too blue!!

told ya!

 

[jdeb101]

Ok After looking it over more I think you guys may be right, the last config would be too much blue.

I ordered this:

2-ATI Blue +
2-ATI AquaBlue

Total PAR = 1294 according to the link given by ThisIsMe

My old bulbs PAR = 1058

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[jdeb101]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their help. I got my bulbs the other day and they look amazing!

Hopefully the change doesnt increase algae. I have noticed a little more brown on the glass recently. Could also be due to me starting to does Phytoplankton every couple days.