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CDKW 
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 Topic: t5
Posted: January 18 2011 at 11:09pm |
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CDKW
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Posted: January 19 2011 at 6:27am |
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I am thinking of getting an ATI sunpower 8x54 for my 120. What bulb combos should i go with.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: January 19 2011 at 7:23am |
It's personal preference but to make all colors "pop" I like 75% varieties of blue and 25% Fiji Purple/Actinic White/Aquarium Plant Grow tubes (any of these three pinks will work). I don't use any white tubes. It's amazing how that combination of blue and pink fluorescent tube colors makes every color in the tank show up as though it was being illuminated by full spectrum white light, yet it's much much better.  Oh and place the pink tube in the 1st or 2nd position from the front. Also if the set of eight can be placed on different timers, have some blues turn on first and go off last. It gives a pretty cool looking effect, but you probably already knew that.  (FYI you can go back and edit any post to add or remove contents)
Edited by Mark Peterson - January 19 2011 at 7:31am
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Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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badfinger
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Posted: January 19 2011 at 7:46am |
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I agree with most of what mark said other then the pink bulb should be in slot 1 or 2... it needs to be on the viewing side of the coral (so within the first 4 spots). For me personally I would place it in the 3rd or 4th slot. I know jared butler is running a 8 bulb ati and he has 7 bulbs blue/actinic, and 1 purple plus. And it looks pretty stellar
And remember with 8 bulbs you have a lot of combos to try for your perfect taste. I know dion said he tried like 5 differnt combos before finding what he wanted. So its a lot personal preference. I know there is a page by steve larson(grim reefer from RC) that gives really good bulbs combos to try
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bur01014
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Posted: January 19 2011 at 2:47pm |
On my 6 bulb I run 4 ATI blue + and 2 ATI purple plus......for the last few years the latest craze has been 3 blue +, 1 purple, and 1 ATI aquablue (white bulb)......I never liked the aquablue because the whiteness washed out the color, so I just recently replaced it with a second ati purple plus and like it way better......all colors pop more, no more washed out white appearance, yet tank doesn't look overly blue or overly pink....good luck....
btw- with your 8 bulb, I dare say do the same combo, but add two UVL super actinics (most par actinic bulb I believe).....your tank would look incredible...IMO 
Edited by bur01014 - January 19 2011 at 2:49pm
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jwoo
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Posted: January 19 2011 at 3:52pm |
 bur01014 wrote:
On my 6 bulb I run 4 ATI blue + and 2 ATI purple plus......for the last few years the latest craze has been 3 blue +, 1 purple, and 1 ATI aquablue (white bulb)......I never liked the aquablue because the whiteness washed out the color, so I just recently replaced it with a second ati purple plus and like it way better......all colors pop more, no more washed out white appearance, yet tank doesn't look overly blue or overly pink....good luck....
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Do you have pictures of how it looks? I need to replace my bulbs and I have 2 ATI Blue + and 2 UVL Super Actinic and 1 Aquablue and 1 KZ Fiji Pink. It looks pretty good but I was thinking of ditching the UVLs and going 4 ATI Blue Plus, a Pink, and an Aquablue. However replacing the Aquablue with a second pink seems like it would be awesome . . . hmmmm.
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None at the moment
Soon: 72 Gallon Bowfront
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bur01014
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Posted: January 19 2011 at 4:11pm |
jwoo wrote:
bur01014 wrote:
On my 6 bulb I run 4 ATI blue + and 2 ATI purple plus......for the last few years the latest craze has been 3 blue +, 1 purple, and 1 ATI aquablue (white bulb)......I never liked the aquablue because the whiteness washed out the color, so I just recently replaced it with a second ati purple plus and like it way better......all colors pop more, no more washed out white appearance, yet tank doesn't look overly blue or overly pink....good luck....
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Do you have pictures of how it looks? I need to replace my bulbs and I have 2 ATI Blue + and 2 UVL Super Actinic and 1 Aquablue and 1 KZ Fiji Pink. It looks pretty good but I was thinking of ditching the UVLs and going 4 ATI Blue Plus, a Pink, and an Aquablue. However replacing the Aquablue with a second pink seems like it would be awesome . . . hmmmm. |
I will try and get some pics up hopefully tonight for you (however, the tank is nothing special, but just see if you like the color) In all honesty it looks very similar to 4 blue pluses 1 purple and 1 aquablue....except, my reds and pinks are deeper in color and more vibrant....your original setup seems fine....I like the UVL super actinics for dusk and dawn, but when all lights are on, the blue pluses mimic the same look...plus if you go all blue pluses you'll have more par. It just depends...if you are bleaching and got plenty of par....you might want to keep an actinic or two running, they look nice. I think running 4 blue pluses and a couple purple plus bulbs is the "new" secret combination.....the blue plus combined with the pink bulbs gives off a nice bluish white light that actually helps your pinks and reds have color....the aquablue is bright and has great par, but my pinks and reds were getting pastelish/faded and lacked color when running that bulb....I was skeptical first when running 2 purple bulbs...but if you got 4 blues going, it is awesome...I only know of a couple other guys are RC that just started this combo a few months ago...
I tell you what, I have an aquablue bulb (54watt 48 inch....is that what size you run?...3 months use on it....go with 4 blue pluses and 2 purple pluses...if you don't like it, I will give you my aquablue.....I'm telling you though, this new combo I am running is amazing.... 
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jwoo
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Posted: January 19 2011 at 4:40pm |
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Thanks for the offer but I run the 39W so I wouldn't be able to take you up on it!
What order are you running them in front to back? I put the UVL's in because they counteracted the aquablue from washing out but I was thinking of just not using an aquablue or more blueplus instead to get the same effect and more Par. This seems like a good third option.
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None at the moment
Soon: 72 Gallon Bowfront
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bur01014
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Posted: January 19 2011 at 5:31pm |
Front--> Blue +, Purple +, Blue +, Purple +, Blue+, Blue+ <<--Back
Ya, I initially tried to use UVL's to counter the aquablue washing out look, but the UVL bulb was overpowered by the aquablue...i didn't try two though.. but then again, I need the par on my 90 gallon, so 2 actinics would hurt me....I don't think I could ever fit an aquablue back into my setup...even if I had an 8 bulb, they are strong, but just wash things out IMO...
I will try to get some pics up tonight
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bur01014
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Posted: January 19 2011 at 10:52pm |
Here are a couple pics....I have to say, if you run this combo I like, it is quite blue....it has a deep water look....the aquablue is bright and will definitely make your tank bright, so if you want that look this combo may not be the best....anyways here are some pics....the tank is nothing to look at, but just to show color..excuse my crappy camera  Here is my little pink birdsnest....first pic is when aquablue was in....second pic is about a week after I took out that bulb and swapped it for a purple plus....running 4 blue pluses and 2 purple pluses....  
Edited by bur01014 - January 20 2011 at 2:38am
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