Starting off on the right foot

[returnofsid]

Hi Dan and Welcome to Reef Frontiers! Great to have another "Spokanite," here!

As you've found out "Aqua-Blue" is a bit of a misnomer, as they actually appear white. If you're looking for a "bluer" look, I'd suggest the following:

2 54 watt ATI Aquablue Specials
1 54 watt ATI Blue Plus
1 54 watt KZ Fiji Purple or you could substitute a 2nd ATI Blue Plus, instead of the KZ Fiji Purple.

The 2 ATI Aquablue Specials will go in the middle 2 slots, with the ATI Blue Plus and Fiji Purple on the outer 2 slots.

This combination would give you a more blue look, than you have right now, while still providing a high PAR rating, for corals.

As for timers, I use the heavy duty timers that you can purchase at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

You'll want the outer 2 bulbs on, first. Then 30-60 minutes later, all 4 bulbs will be on. In the evening, the inner 2 bulbs will be turned off, 30-60 minutes prior to the outer 2 bulbs. You'll want a total of 10-12 hours of light, once you have corals growing. Until you get corals, you would be fine with 8 hours of light, if you choose.

 

[Krish]

Hi Dan and Welcome to Reef Frontiers! Great to have another "Spokanite," here!

As you've found out "Aqua-Blue" is a bit of a misnomer, as they actually appear white. If you're looking for a "bluer" look, I'd suggest the following:

2 54 watt ATI Aquablue Specials
1 54 watt ATI Blue Plus
1 54 watt KZ Fiji Purple or you could substitute a 2nd ATI Blue Plus, instead of the KZ Fiji Purple.

The 2 ATI Aquablue Specials will go in the middle 2 slots, with the ATI Blue Plus and Fiji Purple on the outer 2 slots.

This combination would give you a more blue look, than you have right now, while still providing a high PAR rating, for corals.

As for timers, I use the heavy duty timers that you can purchase at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

You'll want the outer 2 bulbs on, first. Then 30-60 minutes later, all 4 bulbs will be on. In the evening, the inner 2 bulbs will be turned off, 30-60 minutes prior to the outer 2 bulbs. You'll want a total of 10-12 hours of light, once you have corals growing. Until you get corals, you would be fine with 8 hours of light, if you choose.

Thanks for chiming in Sid.

 

[Danhall]

Thanks for the help! and woo for spokanites!
So, if im reading this correctly, i have none of the correct bulbs? and im going to have to purchase 4 different ones? And if so, do either of the 2 LFS's in spokane and Post falls carry either ATI or KZ?

 

[Danhall]

Also, i wanted to ask if i had to have the bulbs in that exact order, where it goes The blue+ and the fiji purple on the outside, and the two blue specials in the middle. if so, i'd like to ask why. Im not questioning you, i just wanted to know for my own benefit. I kow you're a wealth of knowledge and i wanted to know a bit more about it! Thanks again!!!!

 

[returnofsid]

I believe both of our good LFS, Aquarium Solutions and Aquatic Dreams, can get all of those bulbs, if they don't already have them.

The reason you'd put those 2 bulbs on the outside is, they are the most blue, of all 4 bulbs. They will give you the "actinic" look. Them being on first, and last, will give you the dawn and dusk effect.

Since you already have the Giesemann Aquablue Plus, let's work with that, so you don't have to buy 4 new bulbs. Let's see....

You could run 2 Giesemann Aquablue Plus, in the center 2 spots.
1 ATI Blue Plus
1 KZ Fiji Purple in outer 2 spots, or,

2 ATI Blue Plus, in the outer 2 spots.

This would still give you the blue you're looking for, while still producing good PAR.

 

[Danhall]

Awesome. That makes sense with the placement as well. And ive decided that im going to invest in the Fiji purple, and im going to also invest in the ATI blue plus. I just need to get to one of those stores in the next few days. Thanks very much again for all the help.