Help me Decide on New Bulbs, Please :)

That should pop your colors well and will be slightly blue.

 

If you want the tank to appear bluer put the Blue Plus in front.

 

Hi. I've used different bulbs each time - I'm on my 3rd set.

First was standard issue Current-USA bulbs in their fixture. I didn't want to waste them as a noob with no real coral anyway.

Next I was using super actinic/UVL's and found it kind of boring. I got growth, but felt it could be better. The color of the lights was too bright.

This time I'm running

454
Indigo Sun
454
454

On my 55. It's a new bulb on the market. Lots of folks are very into their lights and PAR and I'm not putting that down, but I just go with what I have actually experienced over the last 3 years or so. I've never paid much attention to the technicals.

I do know I love the look of this new set and have seen great growth increases since I put them in 3-4 months ago. So I'd say consider them.

Based on my experience thus far with experimenting with bulbs and the ultimate I *think* I am after, I anticipate in 5 months I will have this set:

454
Indigo Sun
Figi Purple
454

If I don't like it, I'll swap the Figi back for the 454 and be happy for years to come with that combo 8)

Good luck.

 

I'd go with these two combos or something in between. And me let just say right off the bat, I really like a 1:1 ATI Blue+ and UVL SuperActinic for "non-daylight" periods.

1) 2 ATI Aquablues, 2 ATI Blue+'s, 2 KZ Fiji Pink, 2 UVL Super Actinic. That would give awesome color saturation!!!.

2) 3 ATI Aquablues, 3ATI Blue+'s, 1 KZFP, 1 UVL SA. Cool blueish white with good color.


BTW, this will give you max PAR for each particular bulb.

 

Thanks a lot for the great help!! I'm browsing websites right now and looking at the bulbs you all suggested. Wish they had some kind of program where you could put in the different bulb combos and it would show you what the outcome would be. I don't know what this lighting stuff drives me so crazy!

Thanks again!! More ideas welcome!

 

You are correct the aquablue specials are the 12k, so she would have 5 12k bulbs, 2 blue + and one 75/25. I think this would be a very nice looking combo.

 

Ah, thanks! I always mix up my bulbs...

 

its because the damm options are limitless and often there is no 'best' solution.

 

haha I know! I wish there was an obvious answer. Drives me nutso!

 

You could just add a Reef Brite LED. They add crazy color and PAR.