Changing Lighting Combo Question (ATI)

Evening 3reef,

Just a question about the combo im considering, wondering if anyone has run a similar t5 combo or has any suggestions.

I was going to get:
3 Blue+ (10:30am - 9:30pm)
1 Purple + (11:45am - 8:30pm)
1 Coral + (11:45am - 8:30pm)
1 True Actinic (11:45am - 8:30pm)

Will the True Actinic be too much blue?

 

I would ditch the purple plus for another true actinic. They give off a uv purplish glow and really make the colors pop. The purple plus and coral plus will give a lot of white, 1 coral plus will be plenty. If your worried about to much blue then swap out a blue plus for another actinic. I've always ran equal blue plus with my actinic bulbs. I run four T5 bulbs with my halides, 2 blue plus and 2 actinic.

 

Great! Thanks for your advice, looked up the blue+ actinic combo and they have some beautiful colours. Im running a purple+ now so ill be interested in how it looks when I make the switch!

 

They will definitely give you awesome colors. Post some pics when you get them installed.

 

I will for sure! I have another question, since im running a 6 bulb set up, would I would set up the combo like this (ATI Bulbs)


Front

Actinic (6-8hr)
Blue+ (10hr)
Coral+ (6-8hr)
Blue+ (10hr)
Actinic (6-8hr)
Blue+ (6-8hr)

Back

How does this set up look?

 

ATI bulbs are all very blue. The blue+ are 460nm and the actinics are 420nm(purple).If you don't want such a blue look you should add more coral+ or aqua blue specials to that mix (15k).
Heres a link that shows the wave lengths of these bulbs.
http://www.atinorthamerica.com/bulbs.php

 

After my research I dont think im that deterred from the "blue" look of the actinics and b+ based on photos and combos ive seen. I guess ill go in with the list above, I can always swap the one out for a c+ or aqua blue.

Thanks for the link and advice!

 

That setup looks nice. I think you'll like it. The coral plus bulb is pretty bright but if it's to much blue you can swap bulbs. Your corals are gonna look great and they'll be loving those lights. ATI really makes a great bulb.

 

I would go 50/50 c+ and b+ and I actually did on my tank when I had it. Your lighting time frame looks good for your bulb selection. I would most likely run the actinics 10 hours and the rest 6-8 hours.

 

I was actually playing around with the idea of 2C+, 3B+, 1 Actinic. Did you run the 50/50 on your 75 reef? Say I go 2C+ 2B+ 1Actinic what would I go for the final bulb, another B+ or Actinic? But thanks for the suggestion on the 10hr Actinics; i'll make that adjustment when I pick them up this week.

Side note: You probably don't remember but when I originally joined this forum way back in the day you were the one who recommended my original ATI combo lol. I just recently came back on, I see you've retired from the hobby; hope all is well!