4 Bulb t5 Recommendations

[Misbar]

Hello,

I recently got the 24in Aquaticlife 4 bulb hybrid fixture. I plan on putting it over a 24x24x12in tank along with an Orphek OR3 Blue plus bar. I personally like the blue look, so I was thinking of the following bulb combo(s):

Back to front using ATI bulbs

Blue+
Blue+
OR3
Aquablue special
Blue+

or

Blue+
Coral+
OR3
Coral+
Blue+

Will either of these choices work just fine? Is it mostly just a visual difference between the aquablue special and the coral plus? I want the best for the coral, and hope you guys can let me know what something like this would look like.

Thanks for your time,

-Misbar

 

[sfin52]

I run coral+
Blue+
Coral+
Purple +
I really like it. I Hve an led for white ramp up and down.

 

[Misbar]

I run coral+
Blue+
Coral+
Purple +
I really like it. I Hve an led for white ramp up and down.

So do you think the OR3 bar would take the place of the purple+?

 

[Misbar]

I was just comparing the spectrums again... I'm probably overthinking this, but how about:

back to front

blue+
aquablue special
OR3
true actinic
blue+

I've never seen any of these ideas in person, so I only have an idea of what it would look like based off pictures and youtube.

 

[sfin52]

So do you think the OR3 bar would take the place of the purple+?

Ab I've heard is a harsh light. @najer could way in. If you want more of a white light look at a gesiem 10k light

 

[Misbar]

Ab I've heard is a harsh light. @najer could way in. If you want more of a white light look at a gesiem 10k light

Okay, I see.

I would rather a blue look, but figured adding in a bulb like aquablue special or coral plus would balance it out a bit.

 

[Bpb]

If blue is what you crave, just use all ati blue+.

 

[nano_ryan]

I use Coral plus, actinic, blue plus, and purple plus for an extremely nice spectrum.

 

[sfin52]

I have a more white for the leathers. They look better under white and a blue plus and purple plus for zoa ans rfa.

 

[Leadfooted]

I’m running that fixture with heavy blue spectrum and the corals love it. B+,C+,B+,B+. I’d suggest some reef bright XHO’s as well.

 

[sfin52]

Okay, I see.

I would rather a blue look, but figured adding in a bulb like aquablue special or coral plus would balance it out a bit.

In that case go with 2 coral plus and a blue and purple plus. This is my set up as above a led 53% white 15%red full blue and purple.

 

[Misbar]

If blue is what you crave, just use all ati blue+.

Thanks for your input as well. I appreciate it.

I use Coral plus, actinic, blue plus, and purple plus for an extremely nice spectrum.

That's good to know. I will consider that combo as well.

I have a more white for the leathers. They look better under white and a blue plus and purple plus for zoa ans rfa.

I plan on a zoa/paly dominant tank to start with. Then likely LPS down the road. Thanks again for the advice!

 

[Misbar]

I’m running that fixture with heavy blue spectrum and the corals love it. B+,C+,B+,B+. I’d suggest some reef bright XHO’s as well.

Your tank looks great! Thanks for the pictures and your combo as well!

 

[sfin52]

@Misbar there are so many great ways to do it. You have already seen some great examples.

 

[Misbar]

Thanks for all of the help guys.

I think I will end up going with something similar to this:

back to front

blue+
coral+
OR3
True Actinic
blue+

If I don't like the look I'll switch it up a bit, and there's always the option of additional led strips.

Thanks for all your input!

-Misbar

 

[najer]

I'm glad you ruled out aqua blue special, I tried it once and my corals hated it.

 

[Pjernigan22]

How will you mount the OR3 in the middle of that fixture?

 

[Misbar]

How will you mount the OR3 in the middle of that fixture?

I contacted Orphek about this not too long ago. They basically told me that the bar would not fit in the middle of the 24" AquaticLife Hybrid without some sort of modification, because the bar itself is 25".

I was thinking of taking off the 2 long endplates and putting the bar between the t5's. This will require some kind of DIY mounting, but I will also be able to control how much space is between the t5's. When I receive the bar I will try this out.

-Misbar