What are the best 4 T5 ATI bulbs?

Bolivian Reefer · 08/09/2011, 04:52 AM

I am ordering a Blue plus, Aqua blue and Purple plus. I am not sure which one to put for the 4th bulb. What is the best combination?

Thanks

daveonbass · 08/09/2011, 06:02 AM

its really a personal tase issue with this question. My "personal" recommendation is this:

Front
Blue plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

But you may want to add the dreaded Aquablue Special. (people here know that I hate how yellow just one will make my tank look)

I would recommend you get 5 bulbs if you can...and swap one out if you feel you need it. but again...For me the Purple Plus, being a full spectrum bulb, is plenty of white for me to balance out my blues.

I run 6:

Front
blue+
blue+
Purple+
Blue+
blue+
blue+

and I love it...it's a nice 20K look to the tank...and GREAT growth from all those blues...

good luck

Bnortz · 08/09/2011, 08:41 AM

I've heard that the aqua blue really washes out the color of the tank...so I'd have to agree with the above suggestion if you like the blue look

rtparty · 08/09/2011, 08:51 AM

If I am using all ATI and only have 4 bulbs I like the 3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 Purple Plus look.

My favorite 4 bulb is 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ New Generation and 1 ATI Purple Plus.

gldnegle76 · 08/09/2011, 08:52 AM

If you have to stick with ATI:

3 Blue Plus
1 Purple Plus

If not:

2 Blue Plus
1 Purple Plus
1 KZ New Gen

gldnegle76 · 08/09/2011, 08:53 AM

Dang Ryan,

Beat my by one minute. I'm getting slow in my old age.

rtparty · 08/09/2011, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldnegle76

Dang Ryan,

Beat my by one minute. I'm getting slow in my old age.

LOL, we probably hit submit at the same time and mine won the race...

gldnegle76 · 08/09/2011, 09:11 AM

ATI IMHO needs to redesign the AquaBlue Special. If anyone reading this knows someone working for them or their distributors, please pass this along. I'm sure I could get a few folks to agree with this (and maybe some that prefer the yellow washed out look).

rtparty · 08/09/2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldnegle76

ATI IMHO needs to redesign the AquaBlue Special. If anyone reading this knows someone working for them or their distributors, please pass this along. I'm sure I could get a few folks to agree with this (and maybe some that prefer the yellow washed out look).

I know Oliver and talk with him on a regular basis. I have been harping on him for at least a year to get rid of the Aquablue and make a better bulb. He thanked me for my input and said they were developing new bulbs already.

What does that mean? Hopefully ATI will release some new bulbs later this year.

Bolivian Reefer · 08/09/2011, 09:51 AM

Thank you guys for the comments. I am not so familiar with the ATI colors yet. My current lights are:

http://www.wave-point.com/Lighting_folder/LampMain.html

What would be the correlation from ATI to Wavepoint?

Would the Aqua blue be Sun wave and the Blue plus be Super Blue? or?

Thanks!

Logzor · 08/09/2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bnortz

I've heard that the aqua blue really washes out the color of the tank...so I'd have to agree with the above suggestion if you like the blue look

True story.

I plan on swapping mine out with a KZ bulb. Apparently the KZ version is more of 14k where the AB Special is more of a 10k, in reality.

I really think it washes everything out, can't stand that bulb.

Logzor · 08/09/2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

If I am using all ATI and only have 4 bulbs I like the 3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 Purple Plus look.

My favorite 4 bulb is 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ New Generation and 1 ATI Purple Plus.

How does the color look on your new combo? Look at my above post, I have the washing out issue with me AB Special. Is the KZ new generation a good replacement?

Sounds like an awesome combo.

rtparty · 08/09/2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logzor

How does the color look on your new combo? Look at my above post, I have the washing out issue with me AB Special. Is the KZ new generation a good replacement?

Sounds like an awesome combo.

For 4 bulbs the KZ is the best to use right now if you don't want to use a third Blue Plus.

Logzor · 08/09/2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

For 4 bulbs the KZ is the best to use right now if you don't want to use a third Blue Plus.

So is it much more blue than the aquablue special?

rtparty · 08/09/2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logzor

So is it much more blue than the aquablue special?

Think of it as an in-between bulb. Almost like mixing a Blue Plus with an Aquablue. It is definitely more blue but not Blue Plus, BLUE.

JG1 · 08/09/2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

For 4 bulbs the KZ is the best to use right now if you don't want to use a third Blue Plus.

The NG is a nice bulb. I don't like the AB special because it washes out colors. I'm using 1 NG, 1 FP, 2 B+, 2 UVL actinics. It's very nice looking

Bolivian Reefer · 08/09/2011, 01:32 PM

Thank you guys for the comments. I am not so familiar with the ATI colors yet. My current lights are:

http://www.wave-point.com/Lighting_folder/LampMain.html

What would be the correlation from ATI to Wavepoint?

Would the Aqua blue be Sun wave and the Blue plus be Super Blue? or?

Thanks!

Reef obcession · 08/09/2011, 01:44 PM

what about for A 10 bulb combo, what light and what light manufactor would be the choice

usefulidiot213 · 08/09/2011, 02:00 PM

I am about to purchess a Tek 8 lamp fixture.
Doesn't nobody use Actinic bulbs? I was going to run 4 Aquablue special, 2 blue plus & 2 true Actinic. But after reading this I am now worried that it's going to look like poop... Does anybody else run a 8 bulb fixture? If so what do you run. I like the blue color. I hate the yellow... Do you run a sun rise sun set?

rtparty · 08/09/2011, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bolivian Reefer

Thank you guys for the comments. I am not so familiar with the ATI colors yet. My current lights are:

http://www.wave-point.com/Lighting_folder/LampMain.html

What would be the correlation from ATI to Wavepoint?

Would the Aqua blue be Sun wave and the Blue plus be Super Blue? or?

Thanks!

The ATI Blue Plus looks like the Superblue probably. The Purple Plus is probably closest to the Coral Wave and the Aquablue is close to the Sun Wave. I have never seen the Wave Point bulbs in action though so that is all theory based on the spectral plots.

rtparty · 08/09/2011, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef obcession

what about for A 10 bulb combo, what light and what light manufactor would be the choice

ATI Powermodule for the fixture. For bulbs: 6 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus, 1 KZ New Generation and 1 GE 6500k.

JG1 · 08/09/2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usefulidiot213

I am about to purchess a Tek 8 lamp fixture.
Doesn't nobody use Actinic bulbs? I was going to run 4 Aquablue special, 2 blue plus & 2 true Actinic. But after reading this I am now worried that it's going to look like poop... Does anybody else run a 8 bulb fixture? If so what do you run. I like the blue color. I hate the yellow... Do you run a sun rise sun set?

I use actinics because they make the corals fluoresce better than the B+'s .

I wouldn't use 4 AB's though. I'd use 2 AB's, 2 Purples, 2 B+'s, 2 UVL actinics.

rtparty · 08/09/2011, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usefulidiot213

I am about to purchess a Tek 8 lamp fixture.
Doesn't nobody use Actinic bulbs? I was going to run 4 Aquablue special, 2 blue plus & 2 true Actinic. But after reading this I am now worried that it's going to look like poop... Does anybody else run a 8 bulb fixture? If so what do you run. I like the blue color. I hate the yellow... Do you run a sun rise sun set?

Actinic bulbs are pretty useless. They have low PAR and when all lights are on, you can't see them.

For 8 bulbs I like 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k.

tommy tomato · 08/09/2011, 07:35 PM

i need advice before i pull the trigger on 2 bulbs..

currently i am running 4 48'' t5's and 2 96w PC's my set up is the following from back to front

t5
coral life actinic
aqua blue plus
CL actinic
fiji purple

PC
hello lights 50/50
hello lights actinic

none of my colors are popping really... the CL actinics are coming out for sure theyre horrible.. Im thinking of replacing them with two blue+? i have an extra 50/50 and actinic for the PC's so i can go double 50/50 or actinic.. Id like to only replace the 2 CL actinics if i can because pc's are expensive.. any suggestions?

Mystery_Wrasse · 08/10/2011, 05:03 PM

Not to Hijack, but JG1, do you have any pics (links/tank thread) of that lighting combo on your tank?

08/09/2011, 04:52 AM	#1
Bolivian Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 113	What are the best 4 T5 ATI bulbs? I am ordering a Blue plus, Aqua blue and Purple plus. I am not sure which one to put for the 4th bulb. What is the best combination? Thanks

08/09/2011, 06:02 AM	#2
daveonbass Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: texarkana, TX Posts: 1,364	its really a personal tase issue with this question. My "personal" recommendation is this: Front Blue plus Purple Plus Blue Plus Blue Plus But you may want to add the dreaded Aquablue Special. (people here know that I hate how yellow just one will make my tank look) I would recommend you get 5 bulbs if you can...and swap one out if you feel you need it. but again...For me the Purple Plus, being a full spectrum bulb, is plenty of white for me to balance out my blues. I run 6: Front blue+ blue+ Purple+ Blue+ blue+ blue+ and I love it...it's a nice 20K look to the tank...and GREAT growth from all those blues... good luck __________________ dave Current Tank Info: 58g reef, 60 total gallons including rocks and sand, 36" 6 bulb ATI Powermodule, DAS skimmer, Bio pellets, 2 MP10 vortechs

08/09/2011, 08:51 AM	#4
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	If I am using all ATI and only have 4 bulbs I like the 3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 Purple Plus look. My favorite 4 bulb is 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ New Generation and 1 ATI Purple Plus. __________________ 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+

08/09/2011, 02:00 PM	#19
usefulidiot213 Bryan H. Join Date: May 2007 Location: 40th St. & Thunderbird Posts: 1,348	I am about to purchess a Tek 8 lamp fixture. Doesn't nobody use Actinic bulbs? I was going to run 4 Aquablue special, 2 blue plus & 2 true Actinic. But after reading this I am now worried that it's going to look like poop... Does anybody else run a 8 bulb fixture? If so what do you run. I like the blue color. I hate the yellow... Do you run a sun rise sun set? __________________ "I would rather be lucky then good." Bryan H. Current Tank Info: 120 AGA- 4x2x2 Mixed Reef. 2 MP40s, Vertex IN-180 Skimmer, RKL Controller for temp control and light timing. 8x 54 Watt T5 lighting.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What ATI bulbs would you use?	bonzanin	Reef Discussion	7	05/03/2011 04:02 PM
T5 ATI Bulbs for (2) 250W XM 10K DE HQI Supplementation	tenpercenter	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	3	01/22/2007 05:34 PM

08/09/2011, 08:41 AM	#3
Bnortz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Village, Ohio Posts: 825	I've heard that the aqua blue really washes out the color of the tank...so I'd have to agree with the above suggestion if you like the blue look

08/09/2011, 08:52 AM	#5
gldnegle76 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Madison, MS Posts: 517	If you have to stick with ATI: 3 Blue Plus 1 Purple Plus If not: 2 Blue Plus 1 Purple Plus 1 KZ New Gen

08/09/2011, 08:53 AM	#6
gldnegle76 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Madison, MS Posts: 517	Dang Ryan, Beat my by one minute. I'm getting slow in my old age.

08/09/2011, 09:11 AM	#8
gldnegle76 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Madison, MS Posts: 517	ATI IMHO needs to redesign the AquaBlue Special. If anyone reading this knows someone working for them or their distributors, please pass this along. I'm sure I could get a few folks to agree with this (and maybe some that prefer the yellow washed out look).

08/09/2011, 09:51 AM	#10
Bolivian Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 113	Thank you guys for the comments. I am not so familiar with the ATI colors yet. My current lights are: http://www.wave-point.com/Lighting_folder/LampMain.html What would be the correlation from ATI to Wavepoint? Would the Aqua blue be Sun wave and the Blue plus be Super Blue? or? Thanks!

08/09/2011, 01:32 PM	#17
Bolivian Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 113	Thank you guys for the comments. I am not so familiar with the ATI colors yet. My current lights are: http://www.wave-point.com/Lighting_folder/LampMain.html What would be the correlation from ATI to Wavepoint? Would the Aqua blue be Sun wave and the Blue plus be Super Blue? or? Thanks!

08/09/2011, 01:44 PM	#18
Reef obcession Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: stamford, Ct Posts: 266	what about for A 10 bulb combo, what light and what light manufactor would be the choice

08/09/2011, 07:35 PM	#24
tommy tomato Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sunrise fl Posts: 1,623	i need advice before i pull the trigger on 2 bulbs.. currently i am running 4 48'' t5's and 2 96w PC's my set up is the following from back to front t5 coral life actinic aqua blue plus CL actinic fiji purple PC hello lights 50/50 hello lights actinic none of my colors are popping really... the CL actinics are coming out for sure theyre horrible.. Im thinking of replacing them with two blue+? i have an extra 50/50 and actinic for the PC's so i can go double 50/50 or actinic.. Id like to only replace the 2 CL actinics if i can because pc's are expensive.. any suggestions?

08/10/2011, 05:03 PM	#25
Mystery_Wrasse Moved On Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1	Not to Hijack, but JG1, do you have any pics (links/tank thread) of that lighting combo on your tank?