i’m getting jeff’s 48" tek individual reflector light. going on the new tank, a 75.
any suggestions on brand/kind of bulbs/k rating. only a few fish, mostly clams PoM, and lps with a few easy sps. i’d like to have good growth plus light that shows off the critters’ colors. is geissman the way to go? i am below budget so far, so an extra few $$ for bulbs is doable.
I don’t have a particulart brand that I “Have to have”. I run a 6 bulb configuration over my 75 and I run:
actinic
10K
75/25 10K/65K
10K
actinic
I get a nice bright tank with good color pop. The 75/25 offers up a very pink hue which really brings out some interesting colors.
very good sight
ati brand bulbs are the best as far as par ratings and color.
i would go with
4 blue +
6500K midday
uvl 75/25
this will give u a nice blue spectrum tank but the 6500 and the 75/25 will widen that spectrum with the introduction of greens, yellows and reds. the 6500K is a nice bulb to enhance your greens, yellows, reds. the uvl 75/25 has a nice pink hue to it and will make pinks/purples, reds POP!
if that is a little too blue for you try
3 blue +
6500K midday
uvl 75/25
and a aquablue(or actinic white for more pink)
the aquablue is like a 10K bulb with a little ting of blue to it. it has about the same/better par than most 10K bulbs do.
also dont be afraid of not using any actinics. the blue+ are blue bulbs, that have HIGH par. they are around 22K or equivelent to a 460nm bulb. the are advertised as a mixture of actinic and daylight.
if u really want an actinic i would go wit the
2 blue+
420nm actinic(True actinic)
6500k midday
uvl 75/25
aquablue special/ uvl actinic(for more pink)
also dont be fooled by imitation actinics. there are companys that advertise there blue/460nm bulbs as actinics. true actinic is 420nm and is purple.
there are some bulbs that are specialty, and are PINK. they are Korrallen-Zucht fiji purple or ati procolor. they are good bulbs that will make most colors pop in your tank. the uvl 75/25 bulb does this on a slightly smaller scale. if you want to try one of those bulbs i would replace the 75/25 with it. I would reccomend the ati procolor out of the two, if you can find one. I would reccomond the 75/25 out of all of em tho.
giesemann bulbs i love they’re like 1-2 bux more per bulb than others. ECA has them.
lots to consider. thanks to all.
moliken, i told u at the frag fest i can help u 
go with my bulb combo and youll be happy.