T5 Bulbs

[SSalty]

Well, I got my Aquatinics T5 fixture and I hate the color combo that I picked out. It looks too whitish/pink. I want a brilliant white with a hint of blue. This is a serious let down, I am pretty bumbed out. Nothing has ever gone right with this hobby:frustrat:Ok, I will stop crying.

This is what I got.

Aquablue
Superactinic
6500k
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Those with T5's what color combo did you get?

 

[fishbait]

i'm not a lighting expert. but, i would ditch the 65k and the blue plus for two 10k's. i'm sure reef will chime in here in a minute, he's the t-5 guru around here.

 

[yote]

I'm running 4-10Ks and 4-03 actinics(I think).
Going to go for bluer the first of the year.

 

[Bifferwine]

6500K! Whew! That's gonna look pretty washed out. I used to have 10K, but even those looked too washed out for me. I'm upgrading to 20K next time I change out my bulbs.

 

[SSalty]

By washed out, what do you meen?

 

[Bifferwine]

Too whitish-yellowish looking. No colors! You will be amazed at how putting a different bulb in your lights can make a coral look totally different.

 

[reeffreak]

Who gave you that recommendation or was it your own?
Whats the K for the Aquablue....12k?

This is mine which for me looks awesome awesome!Its hard to describe the look.Its bluish,pinkish,purplish color.Even corals that are brown pop.

ATI Blue Plus
Sfilijois Super Actinic
UV Aquasun 10k(pink bulb)
ATI Blue Plus
GE 3000k
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special 12k

If its not blue enough then go with 14k instead of the Aquablue(12k) or change one of the aquablues with a 20k.You can always call reekgeek for their recommendation.

 

[SSalty]

Grim suggested that combo. I dont' want any yellow/pink/purple color.

 

[reeffreak]

Grim recommends the 6500k because its best for corals.If the bulb is too yellow than go 10k.Sorry,I can't help more,what I see with my eyes isn't necessary what you see.

 

[SSalty]

Grim recommends the 6500k because its best for corals.If the bulb is too yellow than go 10k.Sorry,I can't help more,what I see with my eyes isn't necessary what you see.

I know, it's tough to choose someone else's bulbs for them. I think I am going to change out the 2 aquablue's for 2 actinic whites. The purplish/pink color is coming from the aquablue's. I wish in the product description they would state what color they will burn at:frustrat:I meen with the name aquablue you would think it would be blue, but it really is a light purple.

 

[reeffreak]

Yeah its hard to decide whats best for others when it comes to bulb choices.You said the aquablue looks light purple to you.To me,it looks like a crisp light blue bulb.The graph for each bulb at reefgeek.com may give you a pretty good idea on what color it burns at.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Bulbs/

 

[SSalty]

I figured out a combo. Tom from aquatinics actually called me to help. What a great guy.

Aquaz ocean pro
Blue Plus
6500k
Blue Plus
Aquaz ocean pro

Hopefully these will work out.

 

[yote]

Post pics when you get the new bulbs in Salty.

 

[reeffreak]

Cool!
I talked to Tom on several occasions,cool dude.He even email me pics of his 180g with the same fixture I have.Awesome,awesome tank.
I love to see what it looks like when you get them.What kind of bulb is the AquaZ ocean pro?

 

[SSalty]

Cool!
I talked to Tom on several occasions,cool dude.He even email me pics of his 180g with the same fixture I have.Awesome,awesome tank.
I love to see what it looks like when you get them.What kind of bulb is the AquaZ ocean pro?

I will definatly post some pics. It is a white/tint of blue looking bulb. Tom actually uses the ocean pro.