T5 Bulb Combinations w/ Pictures

I would not use two "color" bulbs. It will be very pink/red. Even the manufactuers recommend using them in a 1:4 ratio. I just got my new bulbs and will post pics here. My combo is blue, but I want color in my corals.

 

New Bulbs

I just got my shipment of new bulbs from reefgeek.com. Great people to deal with. One bulb arrived broken, but they are currently taking care of it. Here is my new combo. Now, I've decided to experiment a bit. I wanted something around a 20K MH bulb. I'm going for really good color in my corals. This combo is not for the weak of heart, it is blue, no doubt, but I kind of like. It's like a deep water reef. I can't wait to see how this new combo affects my corals.



Front to back

ATI Blue +
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue +
UVL Aqua Sun (10K)
ATI Blue +
UVL Super Actinic

Here is another picture of a combo with 1 less super actinic and 1 Geissman Aquablue (11k). Visually, it appeared to be the same, so I decided to just have the 1 daylight bulb.

 

This confuses me. Aren't the blue tubes complimentary? Aqua-blue is basis..

I'm glad I found this thread today. I'm cycling my 40 breeder and have a brand new sexy looking TEK 6 36" hanging over it. I have had the thing for about 3 weeks and haven't powered it up once yet! Last week I was supposed to pick up 3 ATI Blue+, 2 Aquablue Special and a KZ fiji purple but my LFS has been having a hard to time getting them in. I can't stand waiting any more so I think I am going to order them tomorrow.

But.. I'm thinking about going a little bluer. 3 Blue +, 2 Aqua Blue Special and 1 UVL Super Actinic. Thoughts?? Another option is 3 blue + and 3 ABS.

 

Your last combo with 3 blue +, 2 aquablue special and a Super Actinic is a nice combo IMO. I've used a similar combo and liked it.

 

Sounds good to me!


(reefgeek)

Should have them Monday

 

What about this guitarman?

AquaSciene 15k
Fiji Purple
AquaScience 15k
ATI Blue Plus

To best describe what im looking for. Good color, mostle white with a just visable view. if possible a somthing to bring out reds.

 

I've use the 15K AS bulbs and liked them, but they may be a little too blue for you. If you want a white look, try Geissman Aqua Blue (11K) It's a white bulb. The UVL Actinic white has a slight pink hue to it. I haven't tried the ATI Aquablue, but I think its a 12k bulb.

 

Well I was told that the 15k has a bright white blue look. Isnt this why they combo them with the 20k AS?

What is the whitest/ 11k or 12k? (ATI blue special or G aqublue plus?)
I guess thats my first task. getting what I want in white.

I believe I want this so far. 2 ATI Aquablue Special (for white dominace)
1. ATI Blue Plus for the deep blue (and wash yellow hue to my tank)
1.??? What should my last bulb be? Somthing to bring out colors without bring the tank back blue. (fiji purple maybe?)

Btw GMan. I think the picture on the top looks bluer in picture.

 

I haven't seen an ATI Aquablue in person, but I do have several Gman Aquablues (11k) and they are white. If you want a whiter look, I would use 3 Aquablues and 1 blue bulb. I think you will find that the "color" bulbs will create a pink hue to the tank that sounds like something you're not going for.

 

ok. thats what I will do. 3 aqualues and another blue of some sort.

As of now I have what I guess would be considered (50/50) aquatic life 50%atinic/50%blue) 420/460. To me I want a much darker blue than this for my last bulb. I do want a little blue but not light blue, dark blue)