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.




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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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:


bulbs 1 and 4 (notice the blue in the back area and redish tint in the front:


bulbs 2 and 3:


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:


bulbs 1 and 4 (all blue +)


bulbs 2 and 3 (all purple +)


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 +



after bulb change with this combo:

Blue +
purple +
purple +
blue +



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 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 +



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.