Need advice on new t5 bulbs

laredo300c · 03/05/2011, 06:12 PM

I currently have a 120 gallon, with an aquatic life 4 lamp t5 fixture. I am really happy with this fixture, and was about to order new aquatic bulbs and was wondering if I could get better lighting by using better brand bulbs. Also thinking later adding a reef brite led strip or a 2lamp aquatic life t5 fixture. Any advice would be appreciated

juan b · 03/05/2011, 06:39 PM

ati bulbs

juan b · 03/05/2011, 06:40 PM

do 2 blue + an 2 blue special

laredo300c · 03/05/2011, 09:44 PM

Do u think I will see a difference compared to brand new aquatic life bulbs

juan b · 03/05/2011, 09:45 PM

yes big difference

laredo300c · 03/05/2011, 10:04 PM

Sold will order tomorrow thanks

juan b · 03/06/2011, 09:46 AM

your gonna love it man let me no the out come

juan b · 03/09/2011, 03:29 PM

any word yet

laredo300c · 03/11/2011, 11:07 AM

They arrive today, ordered them from reef geek.com and was super happy with price , will take pics before and after thanks

rtparty · 03/11/2011, 11:26 AM

I would not have gotten two Aquablue bulbs. You will suffer pinks and reds. They are not great for color either. They wash things out pretty heavily.

With an Aquatic Life fixture they will run a little more blue because the ballasts used in Aquatic Life fixtures don't drive the bulbs properly. They under drive them.

I would have for sure gotten one ATI Purple Plus in place of an Aquablue. That would have given the tank a much better color overall and would help bring colors out that will be lost with a 50/50 combo of Blue Plus and Aquablue.

I personally will not run the Aquablue bulbs. My choice for a 4 bulb setup is 3 Blue Plus and 1 Purple Plus. Great color and corals seem to really color up nicely under that combo.

juan b · 03/11/2011, 06:57 PM

so what you think

R33f3r · 03/11/2011, 07:51 PM

I personally liked 2 blue+ and 2 fiji purple. Awesome pop. No white, slight tint of pink, but that goes away after a few months.

jimmy frag · 03/11/2011, 08:05 PM

i love the colors of coral with the fiji purple but hate the overal pink ting of the tank

jennmac415 · 03/11/2011, 11:46 PM

any pics yet?

ehren78 · 03/12/2011, 12:13 AM

I have the same fixture and have tried the Ati Blue+ x2 with Giessman Aquablue+, and UVL Actinic White combo. Recently switched to 3 Ati Blue+ with Giessman Aquablue+. I've tried numerous combo's with the fixture and sadly haven't enjoyed any combo i've really liked just yet. I wish i had 6 bulbs, so i suggest getting the other 2 lamp unit for additional lighting opportunities. It can get expensive I have about 12 new bulbs here (6) different color combo's so research alot before you buy!

03/05/2011, 06:12 PM	#1
laredo300c Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: laredo tx Posts: 646	Need advice on new t5 bulbs I currently have a 120 gallon, with an aquatic life 4 lamp t5 fixture. I am really happy with this fixture, and was about to order new aquatic bulbs and was wondering if I could get better lighting by using better brand bulbs. Also thinking later adding a reef brite led strip or a 2lamp aquatic life t5 fixture. Any advice would be appreciated

03/11/2011, 11:26 AM	#10
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	I would not have gotten two Aquablue bulbs. You will suffer pinks and reds. They are not great for color either. They wash things out pretty heavily. With an Aquatic Life fixture they will run a little more blue because the ballasts used in Aquatic Life fixtures don't drive the bulbs properly. They under drive them. I would have for sure gotten one ATI Purple Plus in place of an Aquablue. That would have given the tank a much better color overall and would help bring colors out that will be lost with a 50/50 combo of Blue Plus and Aquablue. I personally will not run the Aquablue bulbs. My choice for a 4 bulb setup is 3 Blue Plus and 1 Purple Plus. Great color and corals seem to really color up nicely under that combo. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

03/11/2011, 07:51 PM	#12
R33f3r Anemones Anonymous Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: 29.763N:95.363W Posts: 3,114	I personally liked 2 blue+ and 2 fiji purple. Awesome pop. No white, slight tint of pink, but that goes away after a few months. __________________ Member of the starboard cult.

03/11/2011, 11:46 PM	#14
jennmac415 premium member "reefmama" Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 1,903	any pics yet? __________________ Jenni AKA "Reefmama" Current Tank Info: currently just have a 34 gallon.

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03/05/2011, 06:39 PM	#2
juan b Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 14	ati bulbs

03/05/2011, 06:40 PM	#3
juan b Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 14	do 2 blue + an 2 blue special

03/05/2011, 09:44 PM	#4
laredo300c Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: laredo tx Posts: 646	Do u think I will see a difference compared to brand new aquatic life bulbs

03/05/2011, 09:45 PM	#5
juan b Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 14	yes big difference

03/05/2011, 10:04 PM	#6
laredo300c Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: laredo tx Posts: 646	Sold will order tomorrow thanks

03/06/2011, 09:46 AM	#7
juan b Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 14	your gonna love it man let me no the out come

03/09/2011, 03:29 PM	#8
juan b Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 14	any word yet

03/11/2011, 11:07 AM	#9
laredo300c Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: laredo tx Posts: 646	They arrive today, ordered them from reef geek.com and was super happy with price , will take pics before and after thanks

03/11/2011, 06:57 PM	#11
juan b Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 14	so what you think

03/11/2011, 08:05 PM	#13
jimmy frag Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: burlington ontario Posts: 845	i love the colors of coral with the fiji purple but hate the overal pink ting of the tank

03/12/2011, 12:13 AM	#15
ehren78 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 48145 Posts: 249	I have the same fixture and have tried the Ati Blue+ x2 with Giessman Aquablue+, and UVL Actinic White combo. Recently switched to 3 Ati Blue+ with Giessman Aquablue+. I've tried numerous combo's with the fixture and sadly haven't enjoyed any combo i've really liked just yet. I wish i had 6 bulbs, so i suggest getting the other 2 lamp unit for additional lighting opportunities. It can get expensive I have about 12 new bulbs here (6) different color combo's so research alot before you buy!