6 bulb T5 recommendation, want to switch it up

[SaracensRugby]

Ok, just looking for ideas since the sales are here and want to try something a little different.

I have an 8 bulb ATI unit, 2 are used for sunrise/sunset.

For the day I run 6 bulbs: 3 B+, 2 Coral+, 1 Actinic.

I am relatively happy with it, but if I swapped out a Coral+ for a Blue Special would that make a difference visually? Or a Purple+? I have had purple + in the past and thought it was ok. Also don't want the tank to be washed out blue. Maybe 2 x Actinic?

Thoughts are welcome.

 

[Biglew11]

gives an approximate color description.
https://www.atinorthamerica.com/blog/combos-8-bulb-fixtures/
https://www.atinorthamerica.com/blog/combos-6-bulb-fixtures/
i have a four bulb aquatic life hybrid running 2 blue+ 1lue special 1 actinic with 2 kessil a360x. i also don't like the windex look.

 

[piranhaman00]

In a 6 bulb I use 2 aquablue special, 1 B+, 2 C+, and true actinic. But I like white.

 

[A. grandis]

Ok, just looking for ideas since the sales are here and want to try something a little different.

I have an 8 bulb ATI unit, 2 are used for sunrise/sunset.

For the day I run 6 bulbs: 3 B+, 2 Coral+, 1 Actinic.

I am relatively happy with it, but if I swapped out a Coral+ for a Blue Special would that make a difference visually? Or a Purple+? I have had purple + in the past and thought it was ok. Also don't want the tank to be washed out blue. Maybe 2 x Actinic?

Thoughts are welcome.

I would keep the way it is. It will be too blue with a Blue Plus and the Purple bulb doesn't have much to offer besides it's color. Just leave the 2 Coral Plus bulbs.
If you don't want the 2 Coral Plus bulbs and will change no matter what I say, change it for a Blue Plus then.

 

[SMSREEF]

I would keep the way it is. It will be too blue with a Blue Plus and the Purple bulb doesn't have much to offer besides it's color. Just leave the 2 Coral Plus bulbs.
If you don't want the 2 Coral Plus bulbs and will change no matter what I say, change it for a Blue Plus then.

What is wrong with a purple plus bulb? I don’t understand how you say it has nothing to offer except the color. It Seems to have a very similar spectrum to Coral Plus... But I have no experience with it.
I ask because I just bought a hybrid and plan on using 3 coral plus and one purple plus.

 

[A. grandis]

Trust the graphics and try it then. Many people like purple bulbs for their own pleasure. You won't see that spectrum in nature at all. Don't trust my words. Your corals won't die under that bulb. Just get it and try.
I'm not a fan of too many Coral Plus bulbs in a combo either.
You asked opinions and I gave you mine.

 

[SMSREEF]

Trust the graphics and try it then. Many people like purple bulbs for their own pleasure. You won't see that spectrum in nature at all. Don't trust my words. Your corals won't die under that bulb. Just get it and try.
I'm not a fan of too many Coral Plus bulbs in a combo either.
You asked opinions and I gave you mine.

Thanks for the feedback. I’m not the OP, but just was really interested in your thoughts because I’ve seen you write in a few threads.

I also find it kind of odd that the bulbs look so similar on a chart yet give such a different color visually. So I can Understand why you wrote what you did.

I was also wondering about it being too many Coral+ And kinda regretted it after buying, But I will see what happens and if the corals do well.

 

[A. grandis]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m not the OP, but just was really interested in your thoughts because I’ve seen you write in a few threads.

I also find it kind of odd that the bulbs look so similar on a chart yet give such a different color visually. So I can Understand why you wrote what you did.

I was also wondering about it being too many Coral+ And kinda regretted it after buying, But I will see what happens and if the corals do well.

They will do well, simply because you just can't miss out using T5s in a well designed fixture.
As I've wrote before, I give lot's of value to the real estate of my slots and simply see that we have better options to get the very best out of the combo we use. Purple bulbs aren't in my list. One Coral Plus in a combo of 4 or 6 bulbs would be fine. 10k, 14K bulbs are what I would prefer. Maybe a 65K too.
True Actinic bulbs are infinitely better than purple bulbs and they still need to be used accordingly, simply because there is not enough slots over out tanks.
The beauty of t5s is that we can use whatever bulbs we want within it's limits and the system will thrive no matter what, when adaptation is respected and applied correctly.

 

[Midrats]

I'm liking four C+ and two TA.