T5 bulb combo's

Got a 4 bulb T5, wat bulb combinations does everyone like to run, that gives good color and growth do you think ?

 

The most popular combo seems to be 2 actinic 1 daylight and 1 fiji purple type bulb..

I'm running that now.. 2 ATI blue +'s 1 ATI Aqua blue special and a fiji purple.. I may swap out the Fiji for another daylight becuase I don't have too many red or orange corals...

 

i will always run 2 day lights, just not sure wat to do about the other 2 bulbs

 

I'm currently running with 2x 10000k and 2x Actinic blue...

I guess it would all depend on what you have and or want in your tank.

 

I am running (and like very much the look and growth I'm getting)

454
Indigo Sun
454
454



I wouldn't say the most popular is anything really... Just some folks are more vocal than others...

 

A Fiji purple is a daylight bulb, so if you went with that combo, you will have 2 daylights and 2 actincs. This is really all about personal preference. Try some different combos out and see if you like them.

 

thinking geismen actanit plus x2
and aqua blues x2

ice cap is now making t5 bulbs so I may give them a run and see whats up, i just dnt like to waste dollars "trying" different bulbs. I may stick with wat she has already

 

You didn't mention tank size or bulb size or what you would like to accomplish... however, here are some combos to try:

A very common set up:
ATI Aquablue Special x 2
ATI Blue + x 2

Close to the above look, but highlights more pinks/ reds:
ATI Aquablue Special x 1
Fiji Purple, UVL Aquasun or Geisemann Aquapink (pink color bulb) x 1
ATI Blue+ x 2

For a MUCH bluer look (and still a good amount of par):
ATI Blue+ x 2
ATI Aquablue Special x 1
UVL 'Super-Actinic' (highest par actinic available) x 1

The last choice would be for lower-light, deeper-water corals that do not require as much light, as this would be a cool "theme tank" design, this lighting will really make those corals POP while giving you a darker/ deepwater effect.

If you can't get ATIs, then go for an equivalent geisemann, but the ATI's will give you better par, especially their blue type bulb.

Personally, I would be wary of Ice cap bulbs, as the company Ice Cap seems to have lots of marketing hype around their products, and these are very new to the market... unless you don't mind being a guinea pig. But who knows, they may be good... time will tell.

 

Its my wifes 30 gal. 39 watt t5s if i rem correctly shes got sps and softies. I put ati's in there already i will look to see what they are when i get home

 

Nice post, I use the 2nd combo in my TEK Elite 4-bulb, good growth and color IMO.