upgrading tank, ati or uvl t5s?

I need help because I'm used to 3 bulb combinations at my fish stores. white, blue, and yellowish white. I like the look of a slight blue hue to a tank but not overpowering. Plus I don't know how most corals feel if its strait blue. I was thinking of going with two ati blue plus, and two ati aqua blue. does anyone have these currently that could show me a pic? should I throw an actnic in there? I'm doing a retro 4x39 watt combo. And would like it too be strait blue for an hr before the main lights, and then slightly blue when all the lights come on. Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated. Lead me!!

 

I don't have a pic because I don't have that combo. That should be slightly blue and quite high in PAR. Forget actinics they have minimal PAR and do nothing for coral growth. The blue plus is high in actinic light and the aquablue has quite a bit also. Your coral will love you for it. If you have corals with reds, pinks and oranges change one of the aquablues to a UVL actinic white it is a pink color bulb and will really pop those colors. Stay with ATI otherwise.

 

That's a great choice, I'd go with that, if you can get the bulbs... my LFS promised he was getting these in, but never did, I couldn't wait any longer so I bought geismanns... but the ATI have higher PAR values than any other blue type bulbs and look great, so I wish I had them... I'm thinking about ordering 3 ATI blue plus online for my fixture sometime fairly soon, though.

The blue plus has some of the same spectrum as an actinic, but with a broader spectrum and much higher PAR value. You won't find an actinic bulb with nearly as much PAR as a Blue Plus, and since the Blue Plus will fluoresce the same colors as the actinic, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

what about Fiji Purples?

 

A Figi Purple would go well in a Six bulb fixture to supplement the other bulbs... not sure I'd use one in a Four bulb fixture though.

 

Skip the actinic they have no par..i would go with what you suggested.Equal mix of blue plus and aquas,great par and a very nice blue hue.

 

Fiji purple would work in place of the UVL actinic white just might make the tank slightly purple if you can notice. It doesn't have the PAR of the UVL tho.

 

So many choices!! its like a candy store. I wish my store had them in stock, I have to order them online and hope for the best. I hope to upgrade to a 6 bulb when I get all my params in check, I just don't want to shock my corals, and I have to see if they'll fit. The tank is 18'' wide. And The reflectors I have are about 3.5 inches. So I have to see if I can get a thiner reflector. But my corals are under 2x24 watts right now, when I move them they'll be under 4x39. So I want to wait before I make the move to 6x39 if it fits

 

Order the bulbs from ReefGeek > Aquarium Supplies for Marine, Reef, and Saltwater Aquariums. They have THE best protection I have ever seen and awesome customer service. Look at the fixtures and retro kits they have there. they are all top of line and very powerful. They have tank recommendations on the ATI and Tek Elite lines.

 

wow So I had a brain fart. I was originally getting a 46 bow which is 36'' wide. With the 56g its 30'' wide...not enough room for the 39 watters. So now I either go 6x24 with good bulbs (I like t-5s because of the little heat) or get a metal halide and suppliment it with my current 2x24 fixture....hmmmmmmmmmmm