6bulb T5 help
 

Looking for suggestions on a bulb combonation for a 6bulb T5 unit...

Range of bulbs to choose from:

-Aqua Science Duo (17.5K)
-ATI Aquablue Special (12K)
-ATI Blue Plus
-Aqua Science Blue (22K) (Only use this if you know where I can find 24W versions.. :mrgreen: .. That aren't backordered. LOL )

Looking for a 75% White / 25% Blue color look to the tank... but I am a complete n00b regarding T5 coloring... :lol:

TIA

Ok.. that is different, most people want to have the blue color and not so much the white.

If you want white, then I would suggest to go with.


- Actinic+ (22,000k) or the Aquascience 22,000k (jlaquatics sell 24w bulbs of these, they are just currently backordered)
- Giesmann AquaBlue+ (60% actinic, 40% 15,000k)
- AquaScience 15,000k (gives off bright white light)
- Fiji Purple (I find it balances the tones and pops the red coloration)
- Aqua Science 15,000k
- Giesmann AquaBlue+ (60% actinic, 40% 15,000k)
(- Actinic+ (22,000k) or the Aquascience 22,000k --- If you don't go with the fiji purple)

The reason for my list of bulbs to choose from is based on their par values.. :wink: Most of the bulbs you have listed are not what I want.. I have both a Fiji and Gman over my tank right now and don't like either of them really... :neutral:

Ok ..well I thought I would try.

right now i've got a 2:1 ratio of aquascience special:blue plus 1 fiji purple and it looks pretty white (hard to get the WB adjusted in pics though)

For great color and growth and with the a color scheme you are looking for I would go with the following.

Back
aquascience 15k
giesemann 11k (aquablue)
aquascience 22k (my fav t5 bulb)
giesemann 17.5 (not near as blue as you would think but nice and bright)
giesemann 11k (aquablue)
aquascience 22k (my fav t5 bulb)
Front

All the bulbs have a high par and it wont look artificially blue.

Here is what i currently run:

Back
giesemann 11k (aquablue)
aquascience 22k (my fav t5 bulb)
giesemann 17.5 (not near as blue as you would think but nice and bright)
giesemann 11k (aquablue)
Nova extreme pro actinic
aquascience 22k (my fav t5 bulb)
Front

My setup is a blueish white color and probly slightly bluer then you are looking for.

Do you have a picture of your setup chris?

Unfortunately I can't get AS 22Ks in 24W... no where that I can find anyway.

Sorry I do not have any since I switched the bulbs. I can try and get one for you tomorrow. The aqua science 22k's are so much nicer then actinic. I really wish you could get a hold of them. Other then that you could scrap the pure blue bulbs all together and do something like the following;

Aquascience 15k
Aquascience 17.5k
Giesemann aqua blue 11k
GE electric 6,500k or a similar low k bright white yellowish bulb for incresed par
Aquascience 15k
Aquascience 17.5k

Or you could try this:

Giesemann aqua blue 11k
GE electric 6,500k or a similar low k bright white yellowish bulb for incresed par
Giesemann aqua blue 11k
Giesemann blue plus
Giesemann aqua blue 11k
Giesemann blue plus

The upside is that you get awesome growth with a great white realistic color. The downside is you don't get a dusk dawn effect or much fluorescence.

Giesemann bulbs are horriable and personally i won't go near them due to their output. after running them and testing them out for the few months i had them everything glowed extremely slowly. after switching to KZ new gen coral lights with AS 22,00k on the outside my growth has increased.

took a look at the site and what they have to offer

for more of the white look like we were talking about why not go,

Blue+ (20,000k)
aquablue special (12,000k)
aquablue special (12,000k)
aquablue special (12,000k)
aquablue special (12,000k)
blue+ (20,000k)

but these pro colors are really catching my eye. might have to bring some in some and see how they do

Giesemann bulbs have tested well in studies I have read. I can't say they are my favourite Bulb company but they are by no means crap. My only con towards them is the dead spots near the End pins other then that they have worked well for me. I have seen others tanks who have had success with them as well. I only suggested them because they are fairly cheap and easy to come by in canada. Ati and aquascience are probably better choices.