Need aesthetic advice on T5 bulbs

Hi guys,
I've had my 75g tank set up for almost a year now, and I've been using a 6x54 Nova Extreme pro with the original "Slimpaq" bulbs that came with it (3 10k + 3 460nm actinic). So far I haven't had any obvious issues due to lighting, and I've even been keeping a crocea clam happy and growing for 6 months or so...

Obviously with T5s, you don't get the nice ripply effect of halides, but I've never been happy with the color of the light either. It makes the tank look washed out, and I was hoping there may be an alternative which would give it a bluer look.

The colors of the fish/corals/rocks come out ok in pictures, but it doesn't look great in person.

Front to back, the bulbs are laid out in this configuration
actinic
actinic
10k
10k
10k
actinic

Thanks in advance for the tips! Happy reefing..

 

First, I would alternate the bulbs. xyxyxy

Second, I agree, those stock bulbs are very white and wash out the color.

Check out my thread on the same. I just ordered replacements (another note, you should replace T5 bulbs about every 9 months)

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/bulbs-peredhil-me-too-thread-67811.html

 

I would grab, if you want a deep blue look, 3ATI Blue+, 2 ATI Aquablue+ and a True Actinic, either Giesemann or ATI.
Obviously there are many ways you can go.
Even a 1:1 Blue+ to AB+ would be a safe route as the ATI blue+ are ALOT more blue and powerful(as far as PAR is concerned) than the current's lamps. BUT if you go that route you will most likely wash out some of the reds, using a 6000k or lower lamp will help them come out but can be slightly overwhelming in a 6 or less lamp fixture.
The Fiji purple by KZ is a nice lamp as well that will slightly pick up some reds but also compliment what you are trying to do.

Happy reefing!

 

Problem with that Peredhil is thats the way the Current's fixture is wired, those are the two cycles. So it will look kind of goofy if you are trying to run an all blue dawn/dusk mode

 

Seriously? My Sun Dial is Current and it's two switches are setup to alternate the bulbs... that seems kind of goofy to me.

 

Well I moved a couple of bulbs around..
It's now
actinic X
10k
actinic
10k
10k X
actinic

The ones marked with an X are the ones that are on during the dusk/dawn cycles, so I can't have it alternate completely.

Any tips on cheap places to buy the bulbs?

 

I didn't realize how your light was wired. You want them so that you can do the blues for the dusk/dawn and only have the whites on during the day/middle of the cycle.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

Yep they are goofy... You could rewire it but it probably isn't worth the hassle

I think Reef Geek will have the cheapest ATI lamps because I believe they are the sole importer of them. You can try some of the sponsors here but honestly I don't shop online so don't know who has what prices.

Good luck