Bulbs for new T5 fixture.

I recommend a GE 6500 and 3 ATI blue plus

 

1 GE 6500K Daylight
2 ATI Blue Plus
1 KZ Fiji Purple

 

awinstead reomendation is also a nice combo

 

HUGE thread, if you have a few days read though that.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1677547

 

Posted By blackx-runner on 07/30/2010 09:33 PM
picked up a 4 bulb 48" t5 fixture for my tank. It doesn't come with bulbs so I need to pick some up. Whats a good color combo to run? Also where is a good place to buy the bulbs?

Still looking for the perfect combo myself!
I started with 2 actinic & 2 10k and am looking to replace several of the bulbs now.
Switched to 1 ATI Blue Plus and 1 UVL 75.25 (similar to KZ Figi Purple) and the outcome was WAY too pink!  Switched the 10k for a 6500 and while it looked better (crisp white) it blew the colors out of most corals.  Some people say the KZ or 75.25 is better suited in a 6+ bulb configuration.
The RC thread mentioned is heavily moderated and responded to by The Grim Reefer who has his own T5 site
Good luck!
-Eric

 

 

Reefgeek.com

 

Posted By ninjazx777 on 08/01/2010 08:21 PM
Reefgeek.com
+1.
That's where I ordered mine as well.
What'd you get?  My setup was too pink (for me) with the UVL 75.25 but I've read that while similar to the KZ it isn't as purple.
-Eric

 

Posted By blackx-runner on 08/02/2010 04:32 PM
Went with
1 GE 6500K Daylight
2 ATI Blue Plus
1 KZ Fiji Purple
going in a 48" tek fixture. Should be plenty of light for my 40L
Should be nice, I ordered the exact same thing from them, but 3 foot bulbs.
let me know what you think.
Adam

 

I just got my bulbs for my new canopy retro. I bought an IceCap 660 so I wanted to stick with either the IceCap or UVL bulbs that are designed to be overdriven by the ballast. The internal reflector offered on the UVL bulbs sealed the deal for me and after I took a look at Grim Reefer's site (lots of good info) I decided to order 2 UVL 454s and 2 UVL Indigo Sun. I was initially planning on ordering 2 actinics and 2 AquaWhite, but after reading Grim Reefer's site I realized the combo wouldn't be as blue as I want and would have a lower overall PAR. I haven't heard of anyone running the Indigo Sun bulbs, or the 454's for that matter. I let you know after I get everything wired and running. I'm pretty excited to see how bright the bulbs will be with the IC 660 in addition to the internal reflectors.

 

The UVL bulbs in combo with the IC ballast are ridiculously bright; more bright than my buddies 150watt X2 HM fixture. I love the color, great crisp white with enough blue hue to get the colors to pop. Anyone wanting to run T5's I wouldn't recomend anything else. I'll be keeping an SPS tank under these bulbs and I don't predict any problems.