T5 lighting replacing bulbs

ethuman · 11/20/2016, 08:30 PM

I currently have a coralife t5 4 bulb light setup on my 72g bow front and have been in the hobby for a little over a year. Im thinking its time to replace the bulbs and just wondering if the bulbs that came with it are the best option or if I should replace the bulbs with different ones? What bulbs are you guys using and why? I have mostly lps, polys and softies.

christopherjudd · 11/20/2016, 08:39 PM

ati

nereefpat · 11/20/2016, 10:11 PM

Many folks here use ATI bulbs. I recently installed some as well. The ATI blue plus bulbs are terrific. I'm not too impressed with the other ATI bulbs however.

Overall the Giesemann bulbs I used are brighter and have better color.

ethuman · 11/21/2016, 05:31 AM

thanks, which combination of bulbs are you guys running?

Mark9 · 11/21/2016, 05:58 AM

ATI_faq

3 blue+, 1 purple+

cincyjim · 11/21/2016, 06:02 AM

I can only speak for ATI as that is what I use. So much better than the factory bulbs that came with the fixture. I'm very pleased with them.

mcgyvr · 11/21/2016, 06:15 AM

I just ordered my ATI light this weekend but I bought
2 x aquablue
2 x blue +
2 x actinic
Not sure how I'll like that combo

NYCBOB · 11/21/2016, 06:21 AM

Ati and girsemann are both good. Bulkreef supply is a good place to get them.

Mark9 · 11/21/2016, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

I just ordered my ATI light this weekend but I bought
2 x aquablue
2 x blue +
2 x actinic
Not sure how I'll like that combo

I have a 6 bulb fixture, i run 4 blue+, 1 coral+, 1 purple+

2 aquablue special is going to be quite white.
And in my opinion, having 2 actinic is a waste of a spot, you only need 1.

cincyjim · 11/21/2016, 07:36 AM

I run the same configuration as you do. I'm very pleased with them.

mcgyvr · 11/21/2016, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark9

I have a 6 bulb fixture, i run 4 blue+, 1 coral+, 1 purple+

2 aquablue special is going to be quite white.
And in my opinion, having 2 actinic is a waste of a spot, you only need 1.

T5 is new for me so its a learning process but I do like a "whiter" tank look.. I'm not a "Windex Blue look" fan like many reefers/tanks I see..
For the most part I said.. well.. 2 of these and 2 of these and 2 of these and I'll adapt as needed

I was thinking about another Blue+ instead of both actinics based on many others configs I looked at but we shall see how I like it when it gets here (hopefully this week)..
Thanks..I appreciate the comments..

BigDave · 11/21/2016, 09:32 AM

I have an 8 bulb fixture. Someone recommended the following combination.

So far I'm liking it pretty good. We'll see how I like it after I get some fish/coral into the tank.

4 blue plus
2 coral plus
1 ge 6500
1 purple plus.

The nice thing about the different colored bulbs is that you can play with the combinations until you get the colors you like. When these bulbs get old, if I don't like something, then I'll change it.

Mark9 · 11/21/2016, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

T5 is new for me so its a learning process but I do like a "whiter" tank look.. I'm not a "Windex Blue look" fan like many reefers/tanks I see..
For the most part I said.. well.. 2 of these and 2 of these and 2 of these and I'll adapt as needed

I was thinking about another Blue+ instead of both actinics based on many others configs I looked at but we shall see how I like it when it gets here (hopefully this week)..
Thanks..I appreciate the comments..

You can check out each bulbs spectrum below.
The blue+ has some actinic, so you are actinic heavy.
swap 1 for a purple plus to bring out the pinks/purples/reds
I like the coral+ over aquablue special, as the coral+ has 40% aquablue special, without being blinding white.

ATI_bulbs

AlSimmons · 11/21/2016, 11:34 AM

This link might help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OSS...ature=youtu.be

CindyK · 11/21/2016, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlSimmons

This link might help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OSS...ature=youtu.be

Thanks for this!

I have a 6 bulb fixture, I use ATI bulbs. Currently I have 3 blue plus, 2 coral plus and 1 aquablue plus. I may switch one blue plus to purple plus to try to bring out more of the pink and red tones.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

Fuel Doodle · 11/21/2016, 01:28 PM

I am starting a 72 and just bought this same fixture! Any advice for me? The fixture is still in the mail

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lmax8rn · 11/21/2016, 01:34 PM

I have a 6 bulb ATI with 2 blue plus, 1 purple plus, 1 coral plus, 1 E7 White LED (fits into the ATI fixture), and a Geisman actinic. I think I have too much white light, so probably going to replace the actinic with another blue plus. BTW! My coral growth is OFF THE CHARTS! I have sps, lots of zoas and lps.

MrDaniel · 11/21/2016, 06:03 PM

ATI have really nice bulbs. I have used the wavepointe bulbs as well but they don't compare in my opinion.

ethuman · 11/21/2016, 07:06 PM

well it looks like im just going to have to give a couple options a try and order a couple extra incase I don't like one combination I can just switch to another. Thanks for all the info

Mark9 · 11/21/2016, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethuman

well it looks like im just going to have to give a couple options a try and order a couple extra incase I don't like one combination I can just switch to another. Thanks for all the info

Smart choice.

MrDaniel · 11/21/2016, 08:06 PM

It's good to get extras to play around with. I suggest marking the tubes with a sharpie with the date they were installed. I built a nice collection of T5's and overtime forgot which were new and which had been used for 3 months, 6 months etc.

ethuman · 11/21/2016, 08:22 PM

That's a great idea MrDaniel. thnks

hbrochs · 11/22/2016, 09:39 AM

I use two ATI Coral + and two ATI Blue +

CindyK · 11/22/2016, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CindyK

Thanks for this!

I have a 6 bulb fixture, I use ATI bulbs. Currently I have 3 blue plus, 2 coral plus and 1 aquablue plus. I may switch one blue plus to purple plus to try to bring out more of the pink and red tones.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

After doing some more reading and looking at my tank with all the lights on, I think I'm going to switch the aquablue + for a purple + instead. My corals look kind of washed out with all six bulbs running (I only get to see that on weekends lol)

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

mcgyvr · 11/22/2016, 03:14 PM

Dang Pilgrims and your holidays

My light won't be here till next week..
Should've sprung for 3 day shipping..

11/20/2016, 08:30 PM	#1
ethuman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 194	T5 lighting replacing bulbs I currently have a coralife t5 4 bulb light setup on my 72g bow front and have been in the hobby for a little over a year. Im thinking its time to replace the bulbs and just wondering if the bulbs that came with it are the best option or if I should replace the bulbs with different ones? What bulbs are you guys using and why? I have mostly lps, polys and softies.

11/20/2016, 10:11 PM	#3
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Many folks here use ATI bulbs. I recently installed some as well. The ATI blue plus bulbs are terrific. I'm not too impressed with the other ATI bulbs however. Overall the Giesemann bulbs I used are brighter and have better color. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

11/21/2016, 06:02 AM	#6
cincyjim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,147	I can only speak for ATI as that is what I use. So much better than the factory bulbs that came with the fixture. I'm very pleased with them. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System

11/21/2016, 06:15 AM	#7
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I just ordered my ATI light this weekend but I bought 2 x aquablue 2 x blue + 2 x actinic Not sure how I'll like that combo __________________ Who me?

11/21/2016, 07:36 AM	#10
cincyjim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,147	I run the same configuration as you do. I'm very pleased with them. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System

11/20/2016, 08:39 PM	#2
christopherjudd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 419	ati

11/21/2016, 05:31 AM	#4
ethuman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 194	thanks, which combination of bulbs are you guys running?

11/21/2016, 05:58 AM	#5
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	ATI_faq 3 blue+, 1 purple+

11/21/2016, 06:21 AM	#8
NYCBOB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 1,768	Ati and girsemann are both good. Bulkreef supply is a good place to get them.

11/21/2016, 09:32 AM	#12
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	I have an 8 bulb fixture. Someone recommended the following combination. So far I'm liking it pretty good. We'll see how I like it after I get some fish/coral into the tank. 4 blue plus 2 coral plus 1 ge 6500 1 purple plus. The nice thing about the different colored bulbs is that you can play with the combinations until you get the colors you like. When these bulbs get old, if I don't like something, then I'll change it.

11/21/2016, 11:34 AM	#14
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	This link might help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OSS...ature=youtu.be

11/21/2016, 01:28 PM	#16
Fuel Doodle Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 32	I am starting a 72 and just bought this same fixture! Any advice for me? The fixture is still in the mail Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11/21/2016, 01:34 PM	#17
Lmax8rn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 286	I have a 6 bulb ATI with 2 blue plus, 1 purple plus, 1 coral plus, 1 E7 White LED (fits into the ATI fixture), and a Geisman actinic. I think I have too much white light, so probably going to replace the actinic with another blue plus. BTW! My coral growth is OFF THE CHARTS! I have sps, lots of zoas and lps.

11/21/2016, 06:03 PM	#18
MrDaniel Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 51	ATI have really nice bulbs. I have used the wavepointe bulbs as well but they don't compare in my opinion.

11/21/2016, 07:06 PM	#19
ethuman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 194	well it looks like im just going to have to give a couple options a try and order a couple extra incase I don't like one combination I can just switch to another. Thanks for all the info

11/21/2016, 08:06 PM	#21
MrDaniel Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 51	It's good to get extras to play around with. I suggest marking the tubes with a sharpie with the date they were installed. I built a nice collection of T5's and overtime forgot which were new and which had been used for 3 months, 6 months etc.

11/21/2016, 08:22 PM	#22
ethuman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 194	That's a great idea MrDaniel. thnks

11/22/2016, 09:39 AM	#23
hbrochs Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 439	I use two ATI Coral + and two ATI Blue + __________________ 80 Gallon Innovative Marine long shallow reef 30 Gallon tank for raising baby clownfish Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine SR-80

11/22/2016, 03:14 PM	#25
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Dang Pilgrims and your holidays My light won't be here till next week.. Should've sprung for 3 day shipping.. __________________ Who me?