T5 2-bulb choices

[nate_newton]

If you had to pick only two T5 bulbs to run over a small tank which would you pick.

[larryandlaura]

I would run ATI aquablue special and their true actnic. Still getting most of the spectrum and the corals will pop.

[bigbill]

1 6500k and 1 ati blue+

[MyNemesis]

I think I would go with one ATI Aquablue Special and one ATI Blue Plus. Good PAR values for both bulbs and the best color you could get with two bulbs.

[MizTanks]

ATI 1x12k aquablue special 1x blue plus. You'll get more pop with the blue plus then with the true atenic-I had the atenic and switched it out for the plus :)

[larryandlaura]

Are you going for growth or looks?

[nate_newton]

Are you going for growth or looks?

More about looks, I'd say on the blue side but still some white. More LPS like chalices.

[larryandlaura]

Yeah definitely stay with the blue spectrum! So yo are going chalice crazy?

[nate_newton]

Yeah definitely stay with the blue spectrum! So yo are going chalice crazy?

I'm been there, my 24g cube is just a little to full. Do you know of any places that have good reference photo's of bulbs?

[larryandlaura]

I'm been there, my 24g cube is just a little to full. Do you know of any places that have good reference photo's of bulbs?

Not sure, wish I could help. Let us know what you decide on, and if you find a reference site!

[MyNemesis]

I know that I saw a color photo comparison of bulb combinations. I believe it was on Reef Central, but I can't find it right off.

[MyNemesis]

If you like the way corals look under "blue" bulbs, as I do, I think it would be fun to try two of the ATI Blue Plus bulbs, in a tank dominated by chalice corals. There would still be some crisp "white", but it would look really sharp, I bet. I believed that it was necessary to have a daylight (12K) bulb or two for good growth of all corals, but the more I read, the more I think that the PAR value of the bulb is more important for good coral growth. The color spectrum chosen is merely a matter of preference, depending on the corals you are raising. The PAR values of the ATI Blue Plus bulb are outstanding, and if it doesn't work as well as you would like, swap out one of the bulbs for a Blue Special. A $30.00 experiment, cheap in this hobby! Please correct me if I am wrong.

[redemer123]

purple plus bulbs count as a daylight bulb plus add loads of color. I ran two blue pluses a white and a purple when I used T5's that's my preference. couldn't have been happier with the spectrum.

[fidelcamilo]

hey guys sorry to bust in here, but i have a 29 gal and i am using, 1 aqua blue and 1 blue plus. i dont have sps , only soft and lps, do u guys think i could grow some easier sps if i put them as high as i can?? by the way the lights i have do bring out some awsome color.

[nate_newton]

hey guys sorry to bust in here, but i have a 29 gal and i am using, 1 aqua blue and 1 blue plus. i dont have sps , only soft and lps, do u guys think i could grow some easier sps if i put them as high as i can?? by the way the lights i have do bring out some awsome color.

You could do birdsnest. Mine grow fine under 2 bulbs.

[fidelcamilo]

Sweet that sounds good, how high up do you have it?

[nate_newton]

Sweet that sounds good, how high up do you have it?

My fixture is 4" from the surface and the tips are about another 4" down in the water.

[fidelcamilo]

Thankx for the info nate

[nate_newton]

Thankx for the info nate

Check out the ORA Birds of Paradise, one of my favorites.

[fidelcamilo]

Thankx , I was thinking of witch bids nest to try. I will give it a shot.