Purple or Blue Lighting

[shafiq_hossain]

I have a 72 inch light fixture and am about to swap out the light bulbs. I wanted your thoughts and recommendations on what I should buy in terms of types of bubls. I think I'll go with ATI but they sell a combination of white, blue and purple. I am particularly confused about the purple lights. What benefit do they offer, should I get all purple instead of blue, should I get more blue than purple, or drop the purple all together? This is my current configuration:

1. When I hit the White light switch:
a. two white lights turn on
b. one purple light turns on
c. one blue light turns on

2. When I hit the Blue light switch:
a. one blue light turns on
b. one purple light turns on

Thanks....

 

[shafiq_hossain]

To be specific, my 72 inch fixture has two bays side by side. Each bay is composed of 6 lights 3 feet long each. So, there's a total of twelve 3 feet long bulbs.

 

[thanh386]

What spectrum do u like? KZ makes better purple than ATI. The ATI blue plus is probably best for par and color. If u are not sps dominant, aqua science 22k works really well as well as their duo for the price Chris @ Einstein had them for. Compare to ATI ( I paid 28 per) the aqua science ( I paid 14 per) the par was 178 vs 160ish at the bottom of my tank at the center (27 inch tall tank). KZ were about 190-192ish. But cost like 36.00 or something. The numbers I got might have been off but the ratio conversion is not.

 

[shafiq_hossain]

I'm looking for aesthetic appeal more than anything else at this point. I have a relatively new tank so I have some time before I go coral heavy. Even then, my primary focus will still be limited to a variety of colorful fishes. Whatever lighting really brings out the color is what I would prefer.

 

[thanh386]

Well I personally like the 22k aqua science and KZ purple. I would look around at others tank before u end up buying all ur bulbs.

 

[shafiq_hossain]

That's an excellent suggestion! So, when are you inviting me to check out your tank. . Any pictures?

 

[thanh386]

Lol my tank is a baddie tank but I am always open to guests when I am home.