T5 bulb combo

[enthejungle]

The other day I placed an order for an 8 bulb 60 inch ATI fixture for my 60X18x18. Still debating on where I’ll be ordering my tank.

Topic of debate: what bulb combo would you suggest, why, benefits, and any potential draw back of your combo, how long you’ve ran this combo and any photo candy to go along with the success you’ve had with your particular combo.

The new build is an upgrade in size and I’m pulling my 360WE for the ATI. Tank will be SPS dominant.

Enjoy and thanks in advance!

 

[enthejungle]

Sure wish I knew how to correct my title.

 

[pilot108]

I’m interested in this too. I’m doing a 4bulb t5 kessil hybrid and not sure the best bulb combo

 

[Mal11224]

ATI makes several bulbs for T5HO. I have 4 on my system and I use 1 coral+, 2 blue+ and 1 purple+ with my AP700. I like this combo because I have a mixed reef and I get the benefit of good color spectrum as well as a good mix of color temperature. Some people like a whiter look in their system and some like a bluer look. I prefer a blue look, which works for growth and coloring, the purple+ adds a little red and green to its spectrum. At the end of the day, it's all about personal preference. The file below is what ATI recommends for various types of tanks and bulb counts.
https://www.f3images.com/IMD/UserManuals/UZ1125_1.pdf

 

[kschweer]

Title fixed! I would probably go with 5 blue+, 2 coral+ and 1 purple plus. But there are other options. A few good ones can be found here:

https://www.atinorthamerica.com/faq.php

 

[Finhead]

I found when trying out a purple+ it muted certian colors in my corals. I use a True Actinic instead, my suggestion if I were doing a 8 bulb. 5 Blue+, 2 Coral+ and 1 True Actinic <-- this one at the very front to make the corals fluoresce.

 

[jda]

From End to End:

B+
C+
B+
True Actinic
6500K
B+
C+
B+

 

[A. grandis]

Jda's combo is a very good one! Specially for a 8 bulb fixture.
Grandis.

 

[Daniel Waters]

Very good suggestions from the other posters. Ultimately, you will just want to buy a variety of bulbs and swap in and out till you get the color you like. I think 4 blue plus and 1 actinic is a good foundation to work from and add in other bulbs as you see fit. Since you said you are going to do SPS, I think you'd want at least one full spectrum bulb like a 6500k daylight bulb or 2 coral plus bulbs. Some people like the purple plus bulb. I personally don't care for it, but it would be fine to try as one bulb in an 8 bulb fixture.

A good way to know what you like is to buy a couple of blue plus bulbs, an actinic, and one coral plus. Try that combo and see if you want it slightly whiter or much whiter or much bluer. If you want it much whiter, then you might want a 6500k bulb also in your mix or at least 3 coral plus bulbs in your final 8 bulb setup. If you want it slightly whiter, then you may only want to do one actinic bulb and use another blue plus for instance. I personally like 3 to 4 blue type bulbs (i.e. blue plus or actinic) for every 1 white bulb (6500k or coral plus for instance), but I'm probably on the bluer end preference than a lot of folks.