need some t5 bulb choice help

[jolson10450]

So i need new bulbs and am still in debate what to get.

i currently use front to back:
blue +
aquablue special
kz fiji purple
blue +

i was going to replace them with all ATI
blue +
aquablue special
purple +
blue +

but after seeing the color spectrum charts on reefgeeks website i can't decide and might do:

Front to back:
purple +
aquablue special
purple +
blue +

or

Purple +
aquablue special
blue +
purple +

if you look at the color charts below you can see that the purple + is only a tiny bit less blue than the blue + bulbs but it gives you a good part of the red spectrum so i am thinking of scrapping the fiji purple and a blue + for the extra purple + to get more of the red spectrum as well.

http://www.reefgeek.com/reefgeek/8582/ati_T5_blue_plus.jpg
http://www.reefgeek.com/reefgeek/8598/ati_T5_purple_plus.jpg

any thoughts on this?

4x 24w t5 retro fixture with icecap reflectors.

bulbs in place 1 and 4 are on a switch and 2 and 3 are on a switch. bulbs 1 and 4 are on an hour longer before and after 2 and 3 to simulate the sunrise/sunset effect with just the blue + bulbs to give you an idea of what i currently do.

any thoughts would help immensely!

[evilc66]

I haven't seen the Purple+ in person, but from what I hear it's basically the same as the Fiji Purple. As a result, I would think that two Purple+ bulbs would make the tank too pink, unless that's what you like. Most people only recommend one supplimental bulb like this in a 4 or 6 bulb setup.

[jolson10450]

I haven't seen the Purple+ in person, but from what I hear it's basically the same as the Fiji Purple. As a result, I would think that two Purple+ bulbs would make the tank too pink, unless that's what you like. Most people only recommend one supplimental bulb like this in a 4 or 6 bulb setup.

Thanks i guess i will be the guinea pig for this test, i ordered 2x purple +, 1x blue + and 1x aquablue special so i plan on taking before and after pictures so it is clear to tell the color difference and will rate it on a jolson scale of how much i like them.

[evilc66]

Sounds good.

[jolson10450]

Well,

I tried this combination front to back:

Purple +
Aquablue special
Purple +
Blue +

it was a bit to white for me so then i tried:

Purple +
Blue + (my old bulb)
Purple +
Blue +

and i think we have a winner! a lot more blue and red spectrum!

here are some pictures i tried to take, don't mine the messy algae everywhere, its because my bulbs were so old and i am finally changing them lol.

all bulbs on:
http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr126/boonesville/DSC_0324.jpg

bulbs 1 and 4 (notice the blue in the back area and redish tint in the front:
http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr126/boonesville/DSC_0325.jpg

bulbs 2 and 3:
http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr126/boonesville/DSC_0326.jpg

i am going to mess around now and change it to:

Blue +
Purple +
Purple +
Blue +

that way the purples are on one ballast and the blues are on one ballast and see how it looks, back ina few!

[jolson10450]

ok here are the new shots of:

Blue +
Purple +
Purple +
Blue +

all on:
http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr126/boonesville/DSC_0327.jpg

bulbs 1 and 4 (all blue +)
http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr126/boonesville/DSC_0328.jpg

bulbs 2 and 3 (all purple +)
http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr126/boonesville/DSC_0329.jpg

i have to say i like this combo the most, i might stick with it but how will my par be for sps without having the aquablue special?

[jolson10450]

pre bulb change with this combo:

Blue +
aquablue special
kz fiji purple
blue +

http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr126/boonesville/2011-04-14184134.jpg

after bulb change with this combo:

Blue +
purple +
purple +
blue +

http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr126/boonesville/DSC_0327.jpg

the new picture above does not really do it justice, it looks different in person but i think i may try this combo for a bit and see how things go.

[MizTanks]

I like this one the best! All the others IMO are too redish pinkish :silly: however it's all about what you like that counts most :) If your not going for looks then go for it.

Blue +
aquablue special
kz fiji purple
blue +

The only difference with the above from mine is I'm using the ATI purple+ I like the look because I can see each and every individual color.

[jolson10450]

here is a picture of my camera phone, it gets the color a little more true then the pictures above. the bulb config is:

Blue +
purple +
purple +
blue +

http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr126/boonesville/2011-04-22141611.jpg

for some reason my better camera isn't capturing the true color... its a lot bluer than it is in the picture, the actual tank has a blue tint, you cant even see the pink tint to it but the red corals are a lot brighter.