T5 Bulb Combination (ATI - 8x80W)

p0st · Jan 1, 2016

Hi all,

End of this month I'm moving houses and hence I'm getting a new tank, a Red Sea Reefer XL 525. Since this tank is slightly wider than my current tank I have decided to buy a new lighting system as well. Currently I'm using a LED/T5 custom made hybrid fixture with 4x54w T5, being 2x ATI Blue+ and 2x ATI Coral+ (combined with 2x 120w LED). Since I have very good experience with the Blue+ and Coral+ bulbs in my current tank, see image below, I have decided I want an all-ATI bulb setup for my new tank.

The fixture for my new tank will be a Giesemann Matrixx II Dimtec 8x80w which is dimmable in 3-2-3 bulbs. The corals I have in my current tank will also migrate to the new tank, so it will be a mixed reef with a healthy mix of SPS, LPS and Zoa's.

Since I have a ~500L tank and 640w of light, I have some "spare" watts that I can use to run actinic bulbs as well, and hence my current setup would be (grouped in 3-2-3 from back to front):

1 - ATI Coral+
2 - ATI Actinic
3 - ATI Coral+
-------------------------------
4 - ATI Blue+ (dusk/dawn)
5 - ATI Actinic (dusk/dawn)
-------------------------------
6 - ATI Coral+
7 - ATI Blue+
8 - ATI Coral+

Would you consider this a good setup, and/or do you have any suggestions how to make it more balanced/better for a mixed reef? It might be a little on the blue side but I hesitate on using the Aquablue Special bulbs since the Coral+ bulb also has some of these characteristics.

Thanks in advance, and I wish you a very happy and healthy 2016!

Monroereef · Jan 1, 2016

4 Coral plus will be a very white look. I have a ATI 8 bulb fixture and I only use 1 coral plus, 1 aqua blue special, 2 purple plus and 4 blue plus.

p0st · Jan 2, 2016

That's surprising, since the Coral plus bulb consists of 50% aquabluespecial, 40% blue+ and 10% purple+... Would you recommend an extra blue + instead of a coral +?

Monroereef · Jan 2, 2016

Yes, change out a CP with a BP or a Purple Plus.

p0st · Feb 2, 2016

I have followed your advice and I have 3x Blue+, 3x Coral+ and 2x Actinic now
Eagerly awaiting the tank transfer on Saturday to see how the new lighting (and tank!) perform

Monroereef · Feb 2, 2016

You will love it!

choco24 · Nov 1, 2016

@Monroereef .... how donyou have them set, front to back? Thanks

iLLwiLL · Nov 1, 2016

I have an 8 bulb waiting to go over a growout. planning on 4 blue+, 1 actinic, 2 coral +, and a fiji purple.

I've heard the best combo for growth is 4 blue+ and 4 coral+ tho so that's probably going to be my go to after I use the current bulbs on hand.

SteveySingle · Nov 1, 2016

I just received my Matrixx II eight bulb today and I'm eager to hear how your setup turns out. Thanks for posting this!

Monroereef · Nov 2, 2016

choco24 said:
@Monroereef .... how donyou have them set, front to back? Thanks

BP
PP
BP
BP
CP
PP
BP
PP
BP
BP

choco24 · Nov 5, 2016

Thanks.... one more thing, for how long are you running them? Thanks

Luis

Monroereef · Nov 5, 2016

9 hours

Armydogracing · Nov 5, 2016

Mine looks like this I like a crisp color

BP
Euro E5 blue pop
ABS
BP
BP
CP
Euro E5 blue pop
BP

SteveySingle · Nov 5, 2016

@Armydogracing let's see it

Armydogracing · Nov 5, 2016

Still adding coral so looks a bit empty to me

Armydogracing · Nov 5, 2016

I did add 4 full spectrum led bars also

SteveySingle · Nov 5, 2016

I was very curious about the e5's. U like em?

Armydogracing · Nov 5, 2016

I do like them they are my first ones on and last ones off. From what I can tell though my other bulbs put out better par then the E5s but it puts a really nice RB color in the tank

choco24 · Nov 17, 2016

So.... after deciding on what to go with on my next light set up. This is what I came up with.. please give me your opinions.

BP
BP
CP
BP
BP
PP
CP
BP