What would be the best bulb combo for a mixed reef tank?

[Magma]

So I have a 4 bulb HOT5 Fixture running with 2 Actinic's and 2 12k daylights

What would be the best bulb combo for a mixed reef tank?
What Brand of bulbs would you use and why?


I have been looking at changing the brand to maybe Giesemann because I heard they have some really nice actinic's as well as good daylights

I did notice my corals seemed to open up a lot more when I changed from CF to HOT5's but I want to maximize my growth rate and colour intensity in the tank at the same time..

 

[melosu58]

Moved to General Hardware and equipment discussion.

 

[mr_X]

ATI or giesemann are the bulbs i would recommend, because they have the best color, and the highest PAR.
ATI blue plus and ATI aquablue special would be the bulbs i would use.

 

[Magma]

so would you run 2 aquablue special bulbs instead of the Actinic's? what would you use for the white then.

 

[mr_X]

the blue plus are your actinic lamps. the specials are daylight bulbs.

 

[Magma]

ahh ok so run 2 blue plus and 2 specials, what K ratting are the specials?

 

[melosu58]

It`s really based on preference IMO. I like the super actinic and 50/50.

 

[Magma]

well im looking to get bulbs for 2 tanks, one has a 4 bulb fixture with 2 bulbs per switch (blues and whites) the other is just a 2 bulb fixture with no switch its either on or not..

the 2 bulb system needs bulbs really soon, its on a deeper tank as well its 20" tall compared to the bulb tank which is 18.5"

figure I might try a bulb combo on the 2 bulb fixture and see how i like it then change over the 4 bulb later.

 

[mr_X]

you can check out the info on the lamps here:
ATI T5 Lamps

 

[cabezon]

How blue do you like your tank? There's pure actinc and then a blue white mix and pure white. You can mix and match for the color you like.

 

[Magma]

not sure how blue I like it..I havent really played with different colours before but i do know that I enjoy when the colours POP at night when the whites are off