6bulb vs 4bulb on a 40br

HiImSean · 11/03/2010, 06:59 AM

im looking to get a light fixture for my 40g breeder. i've found a good deal on a used nova extreme pro 6x39 with 4 ati blue +, 1 KZ fiji purple and 1 GE 6500k, bulbs about 6months old. i am looking at the fishneedit fixture 4x39, which i've read good things about on various forums.

i'd love to go with the extreme pro but i'd be worried about bleaching corals. i plan on a few SPS but i'd like more LPS and soft corals

rtparty · 11/03/2010, 08:27 AM

I doubt you will bleach anything with the Nova.

Go with the 6 bulb for sure or you will regret it, I promise. I haven't found a great 4 bulb combo yet. I run 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ Fiji Purple and 1 ATI Aquablue. It is too white and washes out some colors but there really isn't a bulb that I can replace the Aquablue with and not make the tank way too blue.

Really wish I had a 6 bulb unit.

E.intheC · 11/03/2010, 09:33 AM

Ryan, that's interesting as its the exact bulb combo I would like to run. Luckily I will have other bulbs to play with before making an actual purchase..

greech · 11/03/2010, 09:38 AM

I have a 40B mixed reef. My 4 bulb Sundial is more than enough for my corals but if I did it all over again I would go with 6 just for added color options/variation. Keep in mind your tank is only 16" high so you really don't need a ton of light unless you are focusing on more light demanding animals. Again, my SPS are doing great under 4 bulbs and a few are only midway up in the tank. HTH

rtparty · 11/03/2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.intheC

Ryan, that's interesting as its the exact bulb combo I would like to run. Luckily I will have other bulbs to play with before making an actual purchase..

I would use a KZ New Generation in place of the Aquablue.

They are slightly bluer overall but I have heard they lose their blue after 3-4 months. I tried getting one back in July but the guy ripped me off and I never got my bulbs.

I hope to have one within a few weeks though.

gldnegle76 · 11/03/2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

I doubt you will bleach anything with the Nova.

Go with the 6 bulb for sure or you will regret it, I promise. I haven't found a great 4 bulb combo yet. I run 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ Fiji Purple and 1 ATI Aquablue. It is too white and washes out some colors but there really isn't a bulb that I can replace the Aquablue with and not make the tank way too blue.

Really wish I had a 6 bulb unit.

Ryan, have you tried a KZ new generation or a Aquascience duo in place of the Aquablue? I have the same situation as you and either of these helps in getting rid of some of the white.

rtparty · 11/03/2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldnegle76

Ryan, have you tried a KZ new generation or a Aquascience duo in place of the Aquablue? I have the same situation as you and either of these helps in getting rid of some of the white.

I have heard the New Generation is the bluest of the daylight bulbs. I have seen one in person and it was bluer but I am not sure how much bluer.

Is the Aquascience or New Gen bluer?

gldnegle76 · 11/03/2010, 10:31 AM

We must have posted within seconds of each other, I actually like the Aquascience duo better. Slightly more blue than the new generation.

rtparty · 11/03/2010, 10:31 AM

We just did it again! LOL

gldnegle76 · 11/03/2010, 10:32 AM

Both of them are bluer than the Aquablue. The Aquascience duo looks slightly bluer than the new generation.

HiImSean · 11/03/2010, 06:35 PM

well i went with the NEP, i should be getting it on monday

reefsahoy · 11/03/2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

I doubt you will bleach anything with the Nova.

Go with the 6 bulb for sure or you will regret it, I promise. I haven't found a great 4 bulb combo yet. I run 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ Fiji Purple and 1 ATI Aquablue. It is too white and washes out some colors but there really isn't a bulb that I can replace the Aquablue with and not make the tank way too blue.

Really wish I had a 6 bulb unit.

try 3 giesemann atinic plus ( or the ati equivalent) and a 1 fiji! you'll like it if you like a 20kish look. I have that as my supplements and when the halides turn off i love the look of that combo! i don't particularly like any of the 14k bulbs

E.intheC · 11/03/2010, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefsahoy

try 3 giesemann atinic plus ( or the ati equivalent) and a 1 fiji! you'll like it if you like a 20kish look. I have that as my supplements and when the halides turn off i love the look of that combo! i don't particularly like any of the 14k bulbs

What's the PAR like on this setup though?

reefsahoy · 11/03/2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.intheC

What's the PAR like on this setup though?

don't know exactly but on a 40br, i think it would be enough to keep just about anything. see attached http://web1.reefcentral.com/forums/s...ostid=11462207

rtparty · 11/03/2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.intheC

What's the PAR like on this setup though?

3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 ATI Purple Plus will be about the highest PAR combo you can run.

ATI Blue Plus bulbs have one of, if not, the highest PAR ratings available.

11/03/2010, 06:59 AM	#1
HiImSean Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 834	6bulb vs 4bulb on a 40br im looking to get a light fixture for my 40g breeder. i've found a good deal on a used nova extreme pro 6x39 with 4 ati blue +, 1 KZ fiji purple and 1 GE 6500k, bulbs about 6months old. i am looking at the fishneedit fixture 4x39, which i've read good things about on various forums. i'd love to go with the extreme pro but i'd be worried about bleaching corals. i plan on a few SPS but i'd like more LPS and soft corals

11/03/2010, 08:27 AM	#2
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	I doubt you will bleach anything with the Nova. Go with the 6 bulb for sure or you will regret it, I promise. I haven't found a great 4 bulb combo yet. I run 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ Fiji Purple and 1 ATI Aquablue. It is too white and washes out some colors but there really isn't a bulb that I can replace the Aquablue with and not make the tank way too blue. Really wish I had a 6 bulb unit. __________________ 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+

11/03/2010, 09:33 AM	#3
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	Ryan, that's interesting as its the exact bulb combo I would like to run. Luckily I will have other bulbs to play with before making an actual purchase.. __________________ -Eric

11/03/2010, 09:38 AM	#4
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	I have a 40B mixed reef. My 4 bulb Sundial is more than enough for my corals but if I did it all over again I would go with 6 just for added color options/variation. Keep in mind your tank is only 16" high so you really don't need a ton of light unless you are focusing on more light demanding animals. Again, my SPS are doing great under 4 bulbs and a few are only midway up in the tank. HTH __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

11/03/2010, 10:31 AM	#9
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	We just did it again! LOL __________________ 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+

11/03/2010, 10:31 AM	#8
gldnegle76 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Madison, MS Posts: 517	We must have posted within seconds of each other, I actually like the Aquascience duo better. Slightly more blue than the new generation.

11/03/2010, 10:32 AM	#10
gldnegle76 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Madison, MS Posts: 517	Both of them are bluer than the Aquablue. The Aquascience duo looks slightly bluer than the new generation.

11/03/2010, 06:35 PM	#11
HiImSean Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 834	well i went with the NEP, i should be getting it on monday