Bulb choices for new T5 fixture

I'm getting the Tek Elite 6X54 HO 48" fixture. I'm a bit confused with the choices of bulb color, temp, and even manufacturer.
It will go over a 75 gal. reef.(48"WX18"DX20"H)
I hope to try keeping sps lps and maybe clams. Right now I have a leather, frogspawn, torch, monti, and 6 fish.

Thanks...

Mikro

 

Welcome to 3reef.

I suggest getting 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue Special and 2 actinics. You will be able to grow whatever you want. The Aquablue Special is a white bulb. I have almost the same setup except one less actinic. Check out page 44 on my tank thread to see what it looks like.

 

Excellent recommendation

 

i run 3 ATI blue plus, 1 Aquablue special, 1 GE 6500k, and one Korallen Fiji purple. i like it. i have an ATI purple plus laying around to replace the Korallen in a few months, not because i dont like the Korallen , just that i like the blue plus a lot so figured id try the ATI purple bulb

 

You want to be careful of the 6500K it can cause fading and/or browning out of coral. It does give great growth though.

 

Thank you for the reply. Your tank looks great!

What is the best sequence like from front to back of the bulbs?

 

huh, maybe ill try something else next bulb change to see if anything colors up more. i did have a small issue with a couple acro frags browning but i had missed a couple water changes and my alk/ca were way off. (was getting ready to move).

 

They didn't help either. Just replace it with an Aquablue. I have gone down to 5 bulbs 2 Blue plus, 1 Purple plus, 1 Aquable special and an actinic. Colors have come back and are still improving. I also cut 2 hours off of the light period. Growth seems to be better now too. I think the longer period created a light inhibition problem and that was actually damaging some of the coral.