New Bulb Recommendations

[lew0622]

Hi all, this is my first post so bare with me...
I'm currently a year into reefing and I LOVE it! However, since I'm still a newbie... one thing I'm still trying to grasp is the concept of lighting. I currently have running for lights a Deep Blue Solar Xtreme T5 HO Quad light system.
the specs are: 48", 2x54watt Actinic Blues and 2x54watt 10,000k day lights, and 8 moonlight LEDS

So basically I'm due for bulb replacements I was wondering... if anyone had any recommendations for my 4 bulb light combination. I was thinking to get a 1-10,000K to keep coral growth, a 1-14,000K for better colars, and should I get 2 new actinics or blues? (not quite sure what the difference is)

I also read that ATI's are good brands, anyone else have any feed back?

My end result goal is I feel like my tank is getting too yellow, all my corals look washed out and or a browning color and would love my colors to pop a little more. I know the knew thing is getting the tank a "blue" look which I love, but I still don't want to compromise coral growth.

If anyone has any feedback that would be awesome, or good references for me to read up on!

Also attached a photo from Dec of my tank

[MizTanks]

ATI most definitely!!! I personally like a more crisp look without to much blue. So I use the following combo....
1x Aquablue special
2x Blue plus
1x Coral plus. Which is a 50/50 of the special and blue plus.

Great growth and beautiful colors. Taken with iPhone 4s

[lew0622]

thanks so much for the recommendation! does anyone know what ATI is such a great brand? what do their bulbs have that make them so much better.

I'll def check into this light combo!
MizTanks- your tank looks awesome! I'm also trying to stay away from too much blue

[ReefTech]

Not sure what makes them so great but my acros have never been happier or more colorful since I started using ATI bulbs.

[creefer]

ATI for sure. Look also into the KZ and UVL lamps. DD Geismann also has some good lamps but overall ATI is a bit stronger. Given that you have a 4 lamp configuration, you may want to play with the color a bit. Miz has a nice mix on her fixture and it seems to work well. I personally am not a fan of the aquablue special because, for me, it seems to wash colors out just a bit.

You could try 3 blue + and one coral + and have very good color as well as growth. I prefer the coral + over the aqua blue special. It may be good to search around and look at the specs on various lamps, too. Then, buy a few extra and mix them up, play with their location, and see which you prefer.

[lew0622]

Thanks for the idea Creefer- wouldn't hurt to have extra bulbs and play around with diff combo!