T-5 Bulb Recommendation

[jimmy40741]

I have a Tek 4x54W T-5 and I think it's time to replace the bulbs. After looking around here some and reading what other had to say I decided to go with the ATI bulbs. I emailed another site that sells bulbs and told them that I'd heard that ATI bulbs were good ones and if they could recommend the particular ones I had selected, and that I have no corals just fish and 1 anemeone. They emailed me back with this: I would recommend a combination of 2-ATI Blue Plus, 1-UV Lighting AquaSun and 1-UV Lighting 75/25. This will give you tank a nice blue-white look with good color definition and "pop".
What do you guys think of their recommendation? And does anyone else have another that you think is better?

 

[mojo46825]

I have used all the mentioned bulbs. I would go with 2 blue + 1 aquasun and either a 75/25 for a more white witha little more par. or change out the 75/25 with a aquablue special for a more blue look.

 

[reefraff]

Originally Posted by Jimmy40741
http:///forum/post/2689496
I have a Tek 4x54W T-5 and I think it's time to replace the bulbs. After looking around here some and reading what other had to say I decided to go with the ATI bulbs. I emailed another site that sells bulbs and told them that I'd heard that ATI bulbs were good ones and if they could recommend the particular ones I had selected, and that I have no corals just fish and 1 anemeone. They emailed me back with this: I would recommend a combination of 2-ATI Blue Plus, 1-UV Lighting AquaSun and 1-UV Lighting 75/25. This will give you tank a nice blue-white look with good color definition and "pop".
What do you guys think of their recommendation? And does anyone else have another that you think is better?
If its a BTA I think I would get the UVL Super Actinic instead of the 75/25. You will have plenty of PAR and the actinic will pop color a little better than the 75/25. If you like a more light look go with the Aquasun, Super actinic, a blue plus ans Aquablue.

 

[mojo46825]

the super actinic is a very dim bulb, you will get almost the same results from the blue plus.
I have spent a ton of money on these bulbs as of late to get the right color. I have used the following
ATI blue +
ATI aquasun
ATI 75/25
UVL aquablue special
UVl Super actinic
Hagen powerglo (18000k)
Hagen marine glo (actinic)
I ll try to get some pic 's so you can see the different bulbs in action. The ati blue plus are really nice bulbs.
I am currently running
Blue+
aquablue
super actinic
aquasun
aquablue
blue+
I had a 75/25 where one of the aquablues were and a blue + where the actinic is. It was really bright. I cold tell a huge difference. but since my tank is still adjusting to all the light I went a little dim. I will be going back to the 75/25 bulb with the other blue + as well.