HELP! SPS BEST BULB COMBO

Pellegrino

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 16, 2014
Messages
52
Reaction score
3
Location
Staten Island, NY
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey whats up R2R! I know there are MANY talented reefers out there, and I am hoping one of you could help me! I have an 8 bulb ATI Dimmable 36" fixture with a 36" reefbrite on my 40 gallon breeder. I am going to be doing SPS again and looking for the best bulb combo as I need all new bulbs. Please post bulb combo and picture of tank for reference if possible! Thanks!:)
 
Use this:


and just pick the color combination you like. BRS recently posted a video about PAR required for SPS, and it isn't nearly as much as previously thought. Just go with what you like and you'll have growth.
 
Thanks for the reply Tuffyyyy, but I am looking for combos people are using now and how they look plus growth. I know the types of bulbs they make but I am curious too see what other reefers have combo'ed and there success.
 
There is absolutely positively no "best" combo. Too many competing factors are at play to come anywhere close to even a ballpark of what a best combo would be. Generally speaking, as long as half or more of your bulbs are either the ati blue+ variety or any other full spectrum white bulb, you will likely not notice any substantial difference in growth rates. Color is so subjective, and again, so dependent on other factors that you're best off just buying enough blue+ bulbs to fill your fixture, and then a couple of each other variety (if using ati bulbs) and mix and match what you personally think looks best.

The par difference among different combos will be mostly negligible, but keep in mind. Developing a good amount of red pigments requires some red and orange light. You may find reds and pinks become muted in the long term under too heavy of blue lighting.
 
A camera will not show the true color.
That's the most popular combo people use. Is about 900+ par at the top of the tank at 12 in.
 
I don't use them in the display so no photos (sorry), but I like to mix a UVL Actinic White or two in there to help with blues, pinks, reds and purples over the frags. I would do 3 CP, 3 BP and 2 ATI Actinic White.

I do like it more whiter and less windex, so take that for what it is worth.
 
Last edited:
I use 4 B+ and 4 C+, I switched to that combo after talking to @Big E and seeing shots of his SPS. He suggested I alternate them and I basically did. To make sure when I have only Channel 1 on I get 2 blues, I switched it slightly.

B C B C C B C B front to back. Prior to that I ran the 4 B+, 3 C+, 1 P+ combo.

Also have a Reefbrite XHO on the front of the fixture.
 
Blue+ and Coral+ alternating......this will satisfy all acropora pigments and chrom proteins. If you want a more blue or actinic look for some edge pop or ambience you can add it. I would prefer to add this on this outside aimed in and lean more toward adding it in the 400-420nm range.

Here is my tank thread........read post #44.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/big-e-rimless-80g-sps.206607/page-3
 
I use B+B+P+ABS B+C+B+B+

This is my 3rd bulb combo I have used (wish I would of bought the 36" fixture) and so far is the best visually appealing combo so far. SPS have grown great as well!

20170911_220105.jpg
 
6 blue plus
1 aquablue special
1 purple plus

That's what I'm currently running an it's great. However the question you asked is fairly vague. There are ton of successful sps dominated tanks with different bulb combinations. I've ran two aquablue specials before but my lights became fairly white so I ended up switching one of them out. At the end of the day your getting great combos from everyone who has commented. Stability for your tank will be your best friend in an sps dominated tank.

IMG_3305.JPG
 
Im running 2x 8x54w over my 96x24x25 250g. Front to back.
Reefbrite xho
B+
B+
B+
C+
C+
B+
B+
B+
20171102_161730.jpg

Through orange lens on my sunglasses.
20171102_161737.jpg

Regular picture with s8.
 
Recently changed up my own bulb combo and I’m really enjoying it. Sps have responded real well. Had to increase my dosing almost immediately

Reefbrite Actinic Blue
ATI True Actinic
Giesemann 6500k Tropic
Reefbrite Actinic Blue
Reefbrite Actinic Blue
Giesemann 6500k tropic
ATI True Actinic
Reefbrite Actinic Blue

87d16f419619bcca7ba5d7ea4f95c0d8.jpg
 
I have been happy with four blue, one actinic, one coral and one purple, and then the last one being any one of those depending on the look you prefer.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
Back
Top