6 light t5 color combo?

i just bought a 6 light t5 what is the best color combo to get the most light for the corals? can i grow a brain w it?

 

that is a very loaded question, it really depends upon the brands of bulb you use because each brand puts out different amounts of PAR.

in general most people go for 2-3 actinics and 3-4 more or less 10,000k bulbs.

as far as the brain its depends on the size of your tank, but probably.

 

+1 on above

I had a welso brain under 6 x T5
2 x 14K , 2 x 15K and 2 x 22K ( 4 lamps are Geisseman and the 15K where Aquamedic)

it was placed on flat rock 1 inch of sand bed in a 20 inch deep tank and prospered IMO

Steve

 

I suggest 3 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Aquablue Special (white light) and 1 ATI Purple Plus. You will be avle to keep whatever you like under this configuration as long as you have the coral in the appropriate location. For brains that will most likely be low in the tank.

 

This is my favorite combo, in order from front to back:

UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue Special / Giesemann Aquablue +
ATI Blue + / Giesemann Actinic +
ATI Blue + / Giesemann Actinic +
Fiji Purple / ATI Purple Plus / UVL Aquasun ("pink bulb")
ATI Aquablue Special / Giesemann Aquablue +

I gave you some choice on whether to go with Giesemann or ATI on several of the bulbs. If you can, get ATI as they have slightly better PAR and are the nicest bulbs. The only exception is the UVL Super Actinic, as this has the highest PAR of the purely actinic bulbs and I wouldn't use another brand's "pure actinic" bulb.

This combo has nice PAR and matches my color preference, which is a balanced look. I have tried substituting another Blue + bulb instead of the UVL Actinic Plus, BUT the UVL Super Actinic makes things fluoresce just a bit more.

Also, I am also in favor of the pink colored "fiji purple" bulb as it makes some of the yellows, oranges, and reds pop while still leaving the "white balance" of the tank a blueish instead of yellowish hue.

Asking about the brain coral is another topic all together... I'd say, yes you can keep SPS and LPS both with the 6 light T5 combo on most set ups, but it depends on the depth of the tank and coral placement, assuming your fixture has full coverage of the tank's length.

 

Excellent point on the UVL Super Actinic.

 

I have a 75 gallon w/ an aquaticlife 4 bulb. I currently have 2 ati blue plus a uvl super actinis and a ati purple plus. I have an ati aquablue special laying around. Is the UVL better than the aqua blue? Should i switch them or leave the combo i have? Can u all suggest the order i should have them in? Sorry for missing up the tread. Thanks.

 

This is what i use front to back

ATI Aquablue special
ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue special
ATI Purple +
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue +

i like mine a little less blue.