Bulb recommendations

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by Turtles, Jun 9, 2014.

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  1. Turtles

    Turtles Astrea Snail

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    I have light fixture with 2x250 halides (Phoenix 14K's) with quad T5 actinics. I'm looking to get replacement T5 bulbs, just wondering opinions on combinations. someone recommended 4 ATI blue plus, but I was wondering if 2 blue plus and 2 purple plus would be better?
     
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  3. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    I have a mix of 1 blue plus, 1 purple plus, 1 coral plus, 1 aquablue special and really like the combination. But i don't have Halides with it so that may make a difference.
     
  4. Pete polyp

    Pete polyp Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Since your only wanting actinic supplement I would recommend pure actinic and blue plus.
     
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  5. Turtles

    Turtles Astrea Snail

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    I had this same combination in just a quad-T5 setup, but i figured with the halides in this, it would be better with more blue
     
  6. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

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    Go with all Blue Plus.
     
  7. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    I run the same fixture. Personally I think all blue plus will be to much blue. I run 3 pure actinic and 1 Blue plus by ATI. Just the one blue plus stands out alot. I wanted a good actinic spectrum with my radium 20k halides. I had 3 blue plus and 1 actinic before and I'm way happier with the combo I have now. The tank really pops. You don't want to add any whitish bulbs since your halides are supplying that spectrum. Use the T5 for your 420-460 nm actinic spectrum.
     
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  9. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    I like this suggestion a lot. All the right reasons plus experience to back it up.
     
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  10. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

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    I would suggest having a read of the T5 Q&A thread. Just google the subject. Try to stay in the last half of the thread as preferences have shifted away from some bulbs.
    I wish I could show accurate side by side photos of different combos but the camera can't quite pick up the subtleties.
     
  11. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    Agreed. Pics just can't show the real differences. It depends on what your looking for. I wanted less blue but mostly a nice spectrum for our beloved photosynthetic friends.
     
  12. Pete polyp

    Pete polyp Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I agree completely with what has been said about the pure actinic. It will definitely give the color pop you're looking for.