6x T5 bulbs - what's a good combo? (1 Viewer)

[alexrex20]

I'm waiting for my new light to come in, so I need to figure out what bulbs I want to run. Tank is a standard 75gal.

I've done some research on this and other forums, and this is what I've come up with:

3x ATI Blue Plus
1x GE 6500K
1x ATI Aquablue Special
1x ATI Purple Plus

I really hate the super-blue look. How blue will this combo be? Should I run 2x Blue Plus and 2x Aquablue Special instead?

What does everyone run on their tanks? Any pics?

 

[padanky]

Only 4 bulb but might help.

4x54 T5 HO
2) Giessman Aquablues
2) Giessman Actinics

 

[DustinB]

I've been the happiest with:

3 x ATI Blue+
1 x Aquablue Special
1 x ATI Purple+
1 x UVL Super Actinic

Gives a nice 12k look. I don't like the really blue tanks either. This is a bright combo similar to the coralife 50/50 power compacts as for as color temp. Bright crisp white with a hint of blue.

That 6500k is going to make your tank yellow.

The best advice I can give you is to try and borrow some bulbs from someone and try out different combos. Everyone has a different preference and eye for what looks like what.

 

[alexrex20]

Thanks for the quick replies guys!

The GE 6500K is cheap enough, so I may try one if my combo ends up too blue.

I think I'll try your exact combo, Dustin (I like a 12K look also), but I'll also check out the Geissmann(sp?) bulbs. Is there any brand I should stay away from?

 

[DustinB]

The ATI blue plus and aquablue have more par than any other bulbs on the market.

 

[jdeveaux]

If you can find the bulbs... my preference for that combination is:

2 x AquaSciense/Aquaperfekt 22k
4 x AquaScience/Aquaperfect 15k

DONNIE at City Pets has brought them in for me or AquariumSpecilty has carried the from time to time.

 

[alexrex20]

So I'm running:

3x ATI Blue+
2x ATI Aquablue Special
1x ATI Purple Plus

I actually think the color is perfect with 2x of the Blue+ turned off. I may swap out a Blue+ with another Aquablue Special.

 

[DogHair]

I like the GE 6500 bulb in the mix. It adds enough yellow to make some of the light greens and yellows vibrant. It looks yellow in the fixture but I don't really see much difference in the color of the light just the colors on the inhabitants.