Best ati bulb combo new to t5

[jrhunter0000]

Hey guys I'm about to buy new bulbs. I did alot of research and getting mixes ideas. My tank is shallow 1 ft deep by 5 ft long I have a 48 inch 4 bulb t5 fixture and I was wondering what bulbs to go with? So far I have 2 ati blue plus for blues but what about white? This is a zoa garden grow out tank any help would be awesome I'm looking for growth if worse comes to worse I can add some LED strips

 

[sidvicious]

Blue Plus is basically a white bulb so don't worry, for the other two I'd get a Purple Plus and an Aqua Blue Special.

 

[jrhunter0000]

I was told blue plus is very blue?

 

[sidvicious]

I wouldn't say it's very blue but then again I should have not stated its pretty much white either lol. It's just the right amount of blue without looking actinic really.

 

[jrhunter0000]

Okay so run 2 blue plus in my blue slots and the other 2 in my whites? I have 2 blue and 2 white slots that are on timers which should I run where

 

[fishlips]

When I had a 4 bulb t5 set up, This worked well on sps.(good color and growth)
Front to back
Blue plus
Blue plus
Coral plus
Blue plus
Also used this and worked, but was to white.(great growth)
Blue plus
Coral plus
Blue plus
Aqua blue sp

 

[sidvicious]

I'd run a blue plus with a purple plus and a blue plus with an aqua blue special or you could run both blue plus then the purple plus with the aqua blue special. When you get the bulbs have a play around with them and see what you like best.

 

[jrhunter0000]

Awesome thanks for the feedback guys

 

[shanepike]

Here's some great info directly from ATI answering that question specifically:

 

[picoreefguy]

i recently setup a tank at my buddys shop using t5ho with ati bulbs and we used 2 blue plus a coral plus and one purple plus. the front to back order was b+,c+,p+,b+. if i were to do it again i would do 2 purple plus and only one blue plus because i like more of an actenic/blueish look but the current combo gives good light and color. hope that helps

 

[lsu_fishfan]

ShanePike;1082165 wrote: Here's some great info directly from ATI answering that question specifically:
http://www.reef2reef.com/threads/which-ati-bulb-combination-should-i-choose.205103/">http://www.reef2reef.com/threads/which-ati-bulb-combination-should-i-choose.205103/</a>[/QUOTE]

Good info, thanks for sharing, I might try a modified version of one of the mentioned setups.

 

[sidvicious]

Great info, thank you for the link. Definitely put things into perspective. I've got a general question as most answers vary. With regards to ATI T5HO bulbs how often does one need to replace them realistically? I've heard anywhere from 9-18 months. I'm talking about a mainly zoa and LPS type tank with a Haddoni Anemone, no SPS. Thank you.

 

[genesis]

I personally run the aquablue special (my favorite) and the true actinic.
Here is some of the best vids done on this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-TbkPJhHkY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-TbkPJhHkY</a>
[IMG]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OSS_PoUX6o">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OSS_PoUX6o</a>

 

[torqued]

Blue+ in my experience is an actinic bulb...very blue. The Aquablue+ on the other hand is more of a 14k crisp white/bluish.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[genesis]

Blue+ in my experience is an actinic bulb...very blue. The Aquablue+ on the other hand is more of a 14k crisp white/bluish.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk[/QUOT

+1 love the white of the aquablue special. I never understood what a crisp white what until I added it.

 

[torqued]

Genesis;1082197 wrote:

Blue+ in my experience is an actinic bulb...very blue. The Aquablue+ on the other hand is more of a 14k crisp white/bluish.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk[/QUOT

+1 love the white of the aquablue special. I never understood what a crisp white what until I added it.

Yep...I ran 3 b+, 2ab, 1 sun

The AB and b+ are both very high par bulbs...and I never cared much for the t5 actinics. I liked the pops of my greens in particular from the b+ better. Nothing seems to compare to the old vho actinic


Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[jgeorge06]

What I'm running are 3 actinics that came with my light (no-name brand), 2 Geissmann Lagoon Blue, and 1 Geissmann SPS bulb

 

[snowmansnow]

Hey man... maybe this thread will help you choose ...

 

[snowmansnow]

IMO if you have 4 lamps to use...
2x ATI Blue Plus
1x ATI Purple Plus
1X ATI Aquablue Special

 

[jrhunter0000]

Yall are awesome thanks for all the good info!