Equipment - Which t5 bulbs should I buy?

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Which t5 bulbs should I buy?

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75445
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Topic: Which t5 bulbs should I buy?

Posted By: Spbeyond
Subject: Which t5 bulbs should I buy?
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 11:44am

I need to order 4 new 24" t5 bulbs for my mixed nano. Just wanted opinions as to brand and what colors I should buy!
Thank you!

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90 Gallon Reef w/4 bulb 54W t5

I buy, sell and restore pinball machines. Got one in the basement? ;)

Replies:

Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 12:05pm

ATI hands down

I'd go with 3 Blue Plus and a Purple Plus

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www.reefdup.com
Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
200g, 75g, & 15g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water

Posted By: Krazie4Acans
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 12:06pm

ATI bulbs. 2 blue+, 1 purple+, 1 coral+. Then arrange so that you get the color cast the way you want it in the tank.

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My ocean.
90g (yup, won it!), 40g, 28g, & 10g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water
http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=63568&title=krazies-nano-paradise" rel="nofollow - Tank Thread:

Posted By: 1stupidpunk
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 12:06pm

Colors are really personal preference... I don't like my tank too blue cause it hurts my eyes.

As far as brands go I would stick with either ATI or geissman. The coralife bulbs are decent but the colors look a bit off to me. Don't buy anything ZooMed those bulbs burn out to easily.

Posted By: Spbeyond
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 12:24pm

If i go with 2 blue and the actinic or something like that is my tank going to look super blue? I also have a nice blue actinic LED that is over the tank so I dont need a TON of blue, I want a nice look and some good coral growth. Is Blue+ a blue looking bulb or more like 14k?

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90 Gallon Reef w/4 bulb 54W t5

I buy, sell and restore pinball machines. Got one in the basement? ;)

Posted By: Pete Moss
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 12:25pm

+1 on ATI

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125g 90g 2x33g 34g
What stores do I recommend?
Up North: Bill ( Saltwater Paradise 801-317-8115 )
Down South: Jerry ( Reef On 801-563-0600 )

Member of GCFB

Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 1:00pm

The colors I recommended will give you about a 16000K look. If you go with Krazie's, you'll get about a 12-14000K look.

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www.reefdup.com
Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
200g, 75g, & 15g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water

Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 1:01pm

I have four Blue+, a Purple+, and a Coral+ on my hospital tank, and it's pretty white.

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www.reefdup.com
Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
200g, 75g, & 15g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water

Posted By: proskier101
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 3:37pm

I have 2 actinic, 1 blue + and 1 coral pro

front to back

actinic

blue +

coral pro

actinic

Posted By: Spbeyond
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 4:33pm

Thank you everyone you're awesome!

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90 Gallon Reef w/4 bulb 54W t5

I buy, sell and restore pinball machines. Got one in the basement? ;)

Posted By: Skulldozer
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 4:41pm

I'm currently running
Front to back

Blue+
Actinic
Purple+
Blue+

This set up is pretty blue
I was previously running a Coral+ bulb in the actinic spot. It's less blue but definitely pops. I started a T5 thread in equipment that has good info from John and Nikki.

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50 gallon Artisan II cube