6 bulb T5 bulb combo choices

[Charley75]

I know this has been asked a million times and that it really comes down to opinion......but I’m really struggling trying to decide which bulb combo for a 90 gal standard mixed reef. I plan on keeping mainly LPS , zoanthids, softies, and maybe a few sps. Any thoughts and pics would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tippin.turtle]

ATI has bulb recommendations on their website; 4,6 bulb combinations.

 

[A. grandis]

I know this has been asked a million times and that it really comes down to opinion......but I’m really struggling trying to decide which bulb combo for a 90 gal standard mixed reef. I plan on keeping mainly LPS , zoanthids, softies, and maybe a few sps. Any thoughts and pics would be greatly appreciated.

6 bulb Sunpower.
3 to 4 Blue Plus bulbs and at least 1 True Actinic with 1 or 2 "white" bulbs.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

2 purple plus
2 true actinic
2 aqua blue special
Would be my choice

 

[homer1475]

I have a 80G cube running a 6 bulb sunpower. I do not like the "windex" look to my tank so I prefer a little more white to my lighting.

From front to back:
Coral+
Purple+
Blue+
Actinic
Coral+
Blue+

You really can't go wrong with any combination. Just keep in mind also, bulb placement has a lot to do with how the tank will look to your eyes. For instance if I were to move both my coral+ bulbs to the back of the fixture, and move the blue+ upfront, my tank would look quite a bit bluer then it does.

 

[Charley75]

I’ve read all through the ATI site...still undecided. If anyone is willing to post pics of their T5 only tanks with bulb combo listed that would be Awesome.....and much appreciated.

 

[Bpb]

Honestly I’d probably just do 4 blue+, one purple+ one true actinic

 

[xiaoxiy]

I would do 2 purple plus, 2 blue plus and 2 actinic plus for max coral coloration.

 

[Charley75]

Any pics

 

[SDboatguy]

When I was straight T5 I ran 4B+and 2 C+, but I also really liked adding a 6500k ,Actinic and a P+ in different combos. Grab some extras an mix it up until you find something you like. I would start with a B lamp in front and go from there

 

[dwest]

Any pics

Honestly they don’t help. When I send pics from my phone or iPad they look very different than what I see. I would personally use 3 bp and 3 cp.

 

[Charley75]

Any other suggestions....
3B+
2 true actinic
1 P+

or

3 B+
1AB special
1 Coral +
1 Actinic

 

[dwest]

This might help

 

[Charley75]

Yeah....thanks. I’ve watched both of those, but they only compare 2 bulb combos don’t they?

 

[TerraFerma]

Get a bunch of different bulbs and play around with them until you find what you like. If you want the zoas to look like the pics of them under sooper blue LED's you will need at least 2 actinics in there.

 

[nereefpat]

Any other suggestions....
3B+
2 true actinic
1 P+

or

3 B+
1AB special
1 Coral +
1 Actinic

Option 2, but replace the ab special with another coral+.

 

[Charley75]

So 3 B+, 2 C+, and 1 True Actinic. What will the result be......more white or blue?

 

[nereefpat]

So 3 B+, 2 C+, and 1 True Actinic. What will the result be......more white or blue?

Ice blue, but not like the blue LEDs the LFS uses to sell coral.

 

[X-37B]

Started with 3b+ 3c+. Added 2 actinics for 8 total. Did not like the look but its all a mater of what you like visually.
Now run 4b+ 4c+.
Here is a pic I just took from the couch.

 

[piranhaman00]

3 blue 3 coral but I like a whiter look