Which T5 bulbs work best?

[ps2cho]

I just bought a 2x39w T5 retrofit kit to supplement my Reefbreeders LED. Which two bulbs would be the best to pair with the LED?

 

[twon8]

Ati blue plus and either a coral plus or purple plus

 

[Shep]

Check out this, should help you out some. From ati website.

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

Here's a some of our customer's favorite combinations. We have found most folks prefer a bluer look to their tank as it helps to bring our more colors in their corals. Please remember that bulb choice is ultimately a matter of personal preference and what works for one, may not work for another.

16K - 20K - Bluish white with a noticable blue and red under-tone

4-Bulb combination

• 3 ATI Blue Plus
• 1 ATI Purple Plus

6-Bulb combination

• 4 ATI Blue Plus
• 1 ATI Coral Plus
• 1 ATI Purple Plus

8-Bulb combination

• 5 ATI Blue Plus
• 2 ATI Coral Plus
• 1 ATI Purple Plus

10-Bulb combination

• 6 ATI Blue Plus
• 3 ATI Coral Plus
• 1 ATI Purple Plus

12K - 16K - Cool white with a noticable blue and red under-tone

4-Bulb combination

• 2 ATI Blue Plus
• 2 ATI Coral Plus

6-Bulb combination

• 3 ATI Blue Plus
• 2 ATI Coral Plus
• 1 ATI Purple Plus

8-Bulb combination

• 4 ATI Blue Plus
• 3 ATI Coral Plus
• 1 ATI Purple Plus

10-Bulb combination

• 5 ATI Blue Plus
• 4 ATI Coral Plus
• 1 ATI Purple Plus

10K - 14K - Crisp white with just a hint of blue

4-Bulb combination

• 2 ATI Blue Plus
• 1 ATI Aquablue Special
• 1 ATI Purple Plus

6-Bulb combination

• 3 ATI Blue Plus
• 2 ATI Aquablue Special
• 1 ATI Purple Plus

8-Bulb combination

• 4 ATI Blue Plus
• 2 ATI Aquablue Special
• 2 ATI Purple Plus

10-Bulb combination

• 5 ATI Blue Plus
• 3 ATI Aquablue Special
• 2 ATI Purple Plus

This is a post from @BryanS4 , should be helpful. Since you are only doing two I would just use 1 blue and 1 purple

 

[ps2cho]

So blue plus seems to be unanimous...so for the second coral plus or purple plus?

 

[gacolt]

i would buy two blue plus and one purple and mix it up from time to time

 

[rovster]

I would say 2 B+ or a B+ and C+ if you want whiter. I personally use a B+ and C+. If I add 2 more I will go with 2 more B+ or a B+ and actinic.

A lot depends on what you would like to achieve and what you are trying to add or replace with the T5. For me I wanted more of a full spectrum combo so that's why I chose those.

 

[ps2cho]

Are there any benefits to corals between B+ and C+ ? Or is it just visual differences?

 

[twon8]

Personal visual preference. There is no correct answer

 

[jeremy]

Put whatever 2 bulbs you want and adjust your led to the look you prefer. You could also buy a few extra bulbs to adjust the look. Maybe 2 blue 1 purple 1 coral.

 

[BryanS4]

I personally supplement my Led's with a blue + and a coral +. I tried the Purple +, but I didn't look the look as much.

 

[ps2cho]

I ordered the B+ and C+ then and can adjust after 6 months if I want a different look.

Is there a problem putting the reflectors at an angle so i can keep the LED fixtures spread as best as possible?

 

[IxTCxI]

Why more blue if your led already have blue? I'm in the same boat as you. I'm thinking to retro fit my razor with 2 T5. Thinking purple+ and coral +.

 

[ps2cho]

Because I read it's a bigger spectrum of blue rather than a set 400nm or whatever...I'll maybe adjust with time and try different bulbs but this might be a good start.

I'll report back!

 

[IxTCxI]

Maybe I just get all three and see which combo I like best.

 

[Chameleon]

I like to get my white from the T5s and blue from led so I usually stick with 2x coral + or something similar

 

[twon8]

Why more blue if your led already have blue? I'm in the same boat as you. I'm thinking to retro fit my razor with 2 T5. Thinking purple+ and coral +.

Because the ati blue plus bulb is the single best bulb to run and has been for ten years +. I ran them before individual reflectors were available in the US