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need some input on bulb selection


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  1. #1
    jolson10450 - Reefkeeper
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    Justin
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    Exclamation need some input on bulb selection

    i currently have 4x t5's over my 29g tank 24" and i use the following front to back

    ATI blue +
    ATI aquablue special
    KZ Fiji purple
    ATI blue +


    i need new bulbs soon so i am wondering what other people use for their high par bulb layouts. i was thinking of skipping out on the purple all together and going

    ATI blue +
    ATI blue +
    ATI aquablue special
    ATI blue +

    this will give it a lot more color pop to the tank while still having generally the same par. i am working on switching my tank over to a few softies and then the rest sps so the tank will mainly be sps.
    Last edited by jolson10450; 03-24-2011 at 01:02 PM.

  2. #2
    Heidi - Reefkeeper
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    Default

    I don't know a lot about t5s yet but what I have observed in the new system is this: I have the blue specials and blues running right now cause I am waiting on another ballast, it washes out my reds and purples look like blue and reds look like purple. I am looking forward to getting my ballast back so I can put one "fiji purple" in the mix to keep my reds from washing out. Just a thought.
    Heidi

  3. #3
    jolson10450 - Reefkeeper
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    that is what i was thinking that it will wash some of the reds out, currently though when i put on just blue + bulbs the only thing it washes out is my pink birds nest...

    any other input?

  4. #4
    Heidi - Reefkeeper
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    Do you think that half "special" and half blue might not wash out the pinks and reds as much? Just wondered, like I said I am just learning about the T5 set up. I know my preference seems to be with a "whiter" blue light. I am used to MHs so maybe that is why. Maybe you could just get like a 3 red leds plug and play number in there to keep some of that pink color?? Just a thought.

  5. #5
    binford4000 - Reefkeeper
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    I'd keep the fiji and replace the special with another blue +,if it was me.Par levels are about the same and the extra blue with a touch of purple should really make the color pop

  6. #6
    rmalone - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    The figi purple really makes oranges and reds light up, my flame wrasse is sooo much prettier with figi purple than blue+, ditto with orange digi and setosa. I have found that the figi purple makes purple actually purple rather than more of a blue color. But crap, it really seems to depend on the exact coral or fish as to how the color renders from different bulbs. Personally I like a little change now and then anyway.

    Forgot to mention my t5's are supplemental to 14k phoenix mh.

  7. #7
    jolson10450 - Reefkeeper
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    what do y'all think of the ATI purple plus? maybe i should do front to back:

    blue +
    purple +
    purple +
    blue +

    or instead of purple plus use the KZ bulbs again?

    thanks for the input so far!

  8. #8
    Sir Patrick - Reefkeeper A2 Club Coordinator
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    Are the ATI purple plus and the Fiji purple all that different?

  9. #9
    jolson10450 - Reefkeeper
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sir Patrick View Post
    Are the ATI purple plus and the Fiji purple all that different?
    not to sure, i have used fiji purple not the purple plus yet....

  10. #10
    bigbill - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    well i not in to all the blue bulbs i use 2 ati 10k AND 2 antic blues stock from Fish need it iam not in to all the fake color u get from useing the all blue bulbs and purple but this is just my opinion
    I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it.
    Steve Irwin
    mbisite.org/mbi_sig.aspx?u=bigbill&img=2

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