Best lamps to bring out color for AquaticLife T5 Unit

[vexeclipse2007]

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod.../1/product.web

This is the light that I purchased...I'm mainly using this light for fish zoas and soft corals....Whats the best bulbs to get to bring out the colors more...the colors just dont seem to bring out the zoas that i just purchased...pictures of them seem more brighter..any suggestions?

[66deuce]

Blue bulbs bring out colors the best. Not the actinic blue but the blue blue bulbs.

[KMP]

Giessman Actinic + bulbs. Find them on Bulk Reef Supply and read the description. The make colors pop.

[vexeclipse2007]

Originally Posted by KMP

Giessman Actinic + bulbs. Find them on Bulk Reef Supply and read the description. The make colors pop.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/.../category/218/

would these be the ones to get then?? theres like 3 different kinds of 48" bulbs..whats the difference and this would fit any 48" t5 fixture? Is there any need to replace the 10k bulbs?

[vexeclipse2007]

oh ya and what about my led bulbs? Should I even bother replacing the stock ones?

[seapug]

If you are getting the 6 bulb version I'd go with three 10K/daylight bulbs, one Actinic+, one Pure Actinic, and one Fiji Purple/Purple plus type bulbs. That'll give you a pretty complete spectrum that should bring out all the colors really well. The purple bulbs are especially helpful in bringing out the oranges and reds that can get washed out under all blue actinics. I'd leave the LEDs as they come.

[vexeclipse2007]

Originally Posted by seapug

If you are getting the 6 bulb version I'd go with three 10K/daylight bulbs, one Actinic+, one Pure Actinic, and one Fiji Purple/Purple plus type bulbs. That'll give you a pretty complete spectrum that should bring out all the colors really well. The purple bulbs are especially helpful in bringing out the oranges and reds that can get washed out under all blue actinics. I'd leave the LEDs as they come.

any way u can provide me a link where i can get these bulbs..i'm a newbie at this so i dont even know where to find these bulbs lol

[rainydave]

Reefgeek.com is a great place to order bulbs.

I'm a bit confused on whether you have a 36" or 48" fixture.

36" - http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Rep...scent/39_Watt/

48" - http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Rep...scent/54_Watt/

[vexeclipse2007]

[url]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/ati-t5-aquarium-bulbs/54w-48in-12000k-ati-aquablue-special-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb.html

[url]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/ati-t5-aquarium-bulbs/54w-48in-ati-true-actinic-03-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb.html

[url]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/ati-t5-aquarium-bulbs/54w-48in-ati-blue-plus-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb.html

[url]http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Replacement_Bulbs/T5_Fluorescent/54_Watt/54W_Purple_Plus_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_ATI

3 bulbs for 1st link
and the rest 1 bulb?


would that be good? And if so what order should I put them in from front of fixture to back?

[KMP]

Originally Posted by vexeclipse2007

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/.../category/218/

would these be the ones to get then?? theres like 3 different kinds of 48" bulbs..whats the difference and this would fit any 48" t5 fixture? Is there any need to replace the 10k bulbs?

Yes - those are the ones. Here's what BRS says about them:

Quick Overview
The Geisemann Actinic Plus has a special 60:40 combination of deep blue and actinic wavelengths that make even the drabbest corals stand out. BRS Note: The blue color of this bulb can really give the “pop” most aquarists are looking for with their corals. This is one of our favorite actinic bulbs.

[seapug]

Originally Posted by vexeclipse2007

[url]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/ati-t5-aquarium-bulbs/54w-48in-12000k-ati-aquablue-special-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb.html

[url]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/ati-t5-aquarium-bulbs/54w-48in-ati-true-actinic-03-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb.html

[url]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/ati-t5-aquarium-bulbs/54w-48in-ati-blue-plus-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb.html

[url]http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Replacement_Bulbs/T5_Fluorescent/54_Watt/54W_Purple_Plus_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_ATI

3 bulbs for 1st link
and the rest 1 bulb?


would that be good? And if so what order should I put them in from front of fixture to back?

yep, that's it. The ATI's are good bulbs. As far as order goes, try to spread the daylight bulbs so they are in "every other slot" with one of the color bulbs between each one. As far as the color bulbs go, just play around with different configurations to find what works best with the arrangement of your corals and aquascape. It can be fun to switch it around from time to time, too.

[vexeclipse2007]

Originally Posted by KMP

Yes - those are the ones. Here's what BRS says about them:

Quick Overview
The Geisemann Actinic Plus has a special 60:40 combination of deep blue and actinic wavelengths that make even the drabbest corals stand out. BRS Note: The blue color of this bulb can really give the “pop” most aquarists are looking for with their corals. This is one of our favorite actinic bulbs.

how many of those should I get...im leaning towards the geisemann brand...and which ones do I get to replace the day bulbs? Just want to know what I should order

[rainydave]

You might also check out aquacave.com. They have a 10% off sale going right now. Just finished up an order for lights for my 36" fixture.

[seapug]

double post.

[seapug]

Originally Posted by vexeclipse2007

how many of those should I get...im leaning towards the geisemann brand...and which ones do I get to replace the day bulbs? Just want to know what I should order

If you want to save some money up front, keep the 10K daylight bulbs and one of the Actinics it comes with. There will be very little noticeable difference between the stock 10Ks and the 12Ks and actinic is actinic and the only real difference between different brands of pure actinics is lifespan. That way all you'd need to buy now is a purple bulb and actinic plus. Even if the stock bulbs are crappy they'll be good for at least 3 months or so and you'd have two more pure actinic replacement bulbs on hand. As far as the brand is concerned, go with whichever one you can get cheaper. Both Geisemann and ATI are very good bulbs. Many people actually prefer the ATIs over the Geisemanns nowadays.

[KMP]

Originally Posted by vexeclipse2007

how many of those should I get...im leaning towards the geisemann brand...and which ones do I get to replace the day bulbs? Just want to know what I should order

I have a MH [2x150w]/T5 [4x39w] combo - so don't want to steer you wrong by trying to make a recommendation for an all T5 set up. I had the luxury of seeing my fixture [Elos Planet II] in a LFS and saw how it made the corals pop. Found out they were using Ushio 20K & Giessman Actinic + bulbs and that's what I bought. So, all my T5s are Actinic + and it looks great. That said, if I had an all T5 fixture I would go with combinations as the others are suggesting.

[vexeclipse2007]

Originally Posted by seapug

If you want to save some money up front, keep the 10K daylight bulbs and one of the Actinics it comes with. There will be very little noticeable difference between the stock 10Ks and the 12Ks and actinic is actinic and the only real difference between different brands of pure actinics is lifespan. That way all you'd need to buy now is a purple bulb and actinic plus. Even if the stock bulbs are crappy they'll be good for at least 3 months or so and you'd have two more pure actinic replacement bulbs on hand. As far as the brand is concerned, go with whichever one you can get cheaper. Both Geisemann and ATI are very good bulbs. Many people actually prefer the ATIs over the Geisemanns nowadays.

great suggestion...i think I'll do that
So you really think i should go with 1 purple bulb?

ok so ill get one of these
http://www.aquacave.com/ati-blue-plu...amps-2777.html

and one of these
http://www.aquacave.com/ati-purple-p...amps-3168.html

and ill just keep the 3 10k bulbs and 1 actinic...does that sound good LOL....I appreciate your help...
Now let me ask you 1 more thing..what if i just went with 2 of the ati blue plus and didnt get the purple..would that be too much blue you think>