Which T-5 combo?

[Chrissy]

I am getting ready to change out the stock t-5s on my Outer orbit Pro. I need a little help deciding on which combo to go with. I have a 72 gallon bowfront mixed reef.
I have 2 250w 10ks for halides and I already ordered Giesemann aqua blues so I am using 2 of those which other two bulbs would you go with?

 

[MikeB]

I would say 3 Actinic + and one Aqublue. Aquablue are not blue. The name is misleading.

 

[Chrissy]

The stock bulbs are 2 Current 10ks and 2 460nm and it's pretty blue, so that's why I decided on the 2 aquablues to replace the 10ks. It's the 2 actinic bulbs that I'm unsure of. i should add that in about a month I am going to change the halide bulbs to either Pheonix 14k or Ushio 20k.

 

[BigBoy69]

I would go with 2 New Generations, (people who make the fiji purple), and 2 ATI blue plus or Geisman super actinic +

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Sorry I know nothing about T-5's! Help her out people!!

 

[Poseidon]

Personally, I would go with 2 Actinic + and 2 Pure Actinic if you have to stick with Geismann. Geismann are good bulbs, I have used them to great success in the past, however I like ATI and UVL better.

If you don't have to stick with Geismann, and can return the Aquablues you have now, get 4 ATI Blue+ to go with your 10K halides.

 

[Chrissy]

Okay, so I am a total idiot! I took the lights down yesterday and went to replace the 2 10ks with the Aquablues, and I was off as to what I said was in there! I think I was thinking it was the same as my Sundial fixture. There was 2 460nm and 2 420nm. So I took out the 420s and replaced them with the new Aquablues and it is very bright(a nice purpley color, but I miss the blue), so I need to change everything again!
Forget the poll..unless I can edit it? :squigglemouth:

Thanks a bunch for the suggestions. I still want to try and use atleast 1 of the Aquablues since I bought 6! (they were $65 shipped for 6 on Ebay)lol

 

[BigBoy69]

You have a 4 bulb fixture?
Right now I run 8 over a 120. I have 4 ati blue+, 2 New Generations and 1 superactinic +. The tank has a really nice light blue color and is still bright.
(front to back - 2, blue plus, 1 new gen, 1 blue plus, 1 super actinic plus, 1 new gen, 2 blue plus)


My buddy runs 8 bulbs and he has 6 ati blue plus with 2 fiji purples and looks awesome!.
T-5's take time to learn placement etc, because with just moving 1 bulb, it could make your whole tank look like crap. If you have someone close to you that you can mess with alot of bulb combos, that would be the best.

I have a 4 unit on my frag tank and I run, from front to back is a UVL 420, ati Blue plus, aquablue special and a ati blue plus. It's bright and has a nice blue hue to it.

 

[Suppressivefire]

I say 2 460's, an actinic, and a aqua blue.

 

[joesfiddy]

id go 2 blue + 1 blue special and 1 aquasun 10k

 

[GrouperGenius]

10K halides are very white-yellow by nature. Especially if it's the Current bulbs that came with it.

Not to persuade your view, but I had the same light and went this route.

Changed the Halides to Phoenix 14K. The T5 I used 2 of the Fiji Purple and 1 of the Geismann Aquablues and 1 of the Current actinics. Can't remember if it was the 420 or 460. IMHO, T5 is not good at true actinic. So I went for best color representation. I went through $$$$ trying to find my "sweet spot".

 

[holdyourlight]

none of the above

3 ati blue pluses
1 kz fiji purple

you cannot beat this combo on a 4 bulb guaranteed

dont get the current bulbs, they are complete junk

 

[Chrissy]

Thanks so much for all of the help, guys!

10K halides are very white-yellow by nature. Especially if it's the Current bulbs that came with it.

Not to persuade your view, but I had the same light and went this route.

Changed the Halides to Phoenix 14K. The T5 I used 2 of the Fiji Purple and 1 of the Geismann Aquablues and 1 of the Current actinics. Can't remember if it was the 420 or 460. IMHO, T5 is not good at true actinic. So I went for best color representation. I went through $$$$ trying to find my "sweet spot".

Do you have a pic that I could see? That combo sounds nice!

This is what mine looks like without the halides on...just the two Aquablues and the 2 Current 460s.

 

[chk4tix]

I know your fixture is a 4 bulb, but on my 8 bulb I run
(front)
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue Special
Blue Actinic 03
ATI Blue Plus

With that combo, I get a color that is pretty close to my Phoenix bulbs I changed over from. The only difference is the color of the corals pop more.

 

[SeaSlug]

Chrissy , I also run the 4 bulb sundial fixture on my 40 breeder , after countless $'s trying to get the Phoienx 14 k look , I believe I hit the right combo . Here are the bulbs I use and the order there in for sunrise sunset effect with the two timers .
FRONT
ATI Aquablue Special ( 12k )
ATI Blue Plus
UV Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
BACK

 

[Bruder]

I prefer a 3:1 for blue bulbs to white bulbs, but that is just me.