ATI bulbs: Would like a little less blue in my light

[kelp47]

I have an ATI dimmable sunpower with 6 bulbs. My current bulb combination is below, but it's a little too blue for my taste. So I'd like to remove some blue without sacrificing the light spectrum that makes colors pop. The tank is viewable from both sides, so I have tried keep the lighting the same on each side of the tank. Do you think it would help to replace the two blue+ bulbs with aquablue special?

1-blue+
2-true actinic
3-coral+
4-coral+
5-true actinic
6-blue+

Thanks!

[Tron_954]

B+
C+
B+
C+
B+
C+

Should still get some pop... this combo will yield an icy white, of around 12k. Lose the actinics, they provide a deep blue/violet spectrum and have significantly less PAR...

[kelp47]

Well, when I cut off my actinics (they're both on channel 2), and I'm left with the same combo as you listed (50/50, B+/C+), it removes the purplish hue, but it's still pretty blue. I'll try ramping up the percentage and see what it looks like. I realize actinics don't have a very high PAR, but with high output from the other bulbs, I think I should be okay.

[Tron_954]

FYI, T5's aren't really meant to be held at anything under 100%, if i understand your post as you run them lower??

This will greatly decrease the life of the bulb and change the phosphors...

Also, bulb blending changes the color a bit, so try this:
1-blue+
2-true actinic
3-coral+
4-blue+
5-true actinic
6-coral+

and with the TA off see what you get...

another option is
1-true actinic
2-coral+
3-blue+
4-coral+
5-blue+
6-true actinic

[kelp47]

FYI, T5's aren't really meant to be held at anything under 100%, if i understand your post as you run them lower??

This will greatly decrease the life of the bulb and change the phosphors...

Also, bulb blending changes the color a bit, so try this:
1-blue+
2-true actinic
3-coral+
4-blue+
5-true actinic
6-coral+

and with the TA off see what you get...

another option is
1-true actinic
2-coral+
3-blue+
4-coral+
5-blue+
6-true actinic

Ah, okay. I'll try changing the order and see what happens. Thanks!

The ATI fixture has a dimming capability built in. When I just put it on auto mode it lights for long periods of time at less than 100%.

[Tron_954]

I also have an ATI fixture, a dimmable fixture, but AUTO simply means you tell it what time to turn on and off, and how to ramp the percentage of power...

Example, mine:

Channel 1:
Noon ON
1230 100%
930 ramp down
1000 OFF
Channel 2:
1pm ON
130 100%
830 ramp down
900 OFF

So Photoperiod and intensity is fully controllable, so check your % as to not be killing your bulbs...

[kelp47]

I'll check on that. Thanks for the advice. I certainly don't want to replace my bulbs any sooner than necessary. Maybe I'll just burn then under 100% when introducing a sensitive new coral or something. (That's what I had in mind when purchasing them.)

[Tron_954]

Not really how your supposed to do it. Just adjust the photoperiod.

[kelp47]

Okay, so what's the purpose of having a dimmable fixture that allows you to set the percentage manually or scheduled? Anything other than ramping up and down?

[jdraider75]

If you want whiteer run aqua blue special or ge 6500k bulb. But if you do run 2 purple plus with it. Dump the true actinic bulbs. Try
blue
purple
blue
aqua blue or ge 6500k
Purple
blue

[Tron_954]

To ramp the light up and down, however, these bulbs are not meant to be held at lower power.

[kelp47]

Just for reference, ATI actually suggests running them at a dimmed state at times, including coral acclimation.

http://www.atinorthamerica.com/cmsAdmin/uploads/Digital_ATI_DSP_Quick_Start.pdf

[Bob46]

The ATI site has some bulb combos listed. The second link bottom row says 10000 to 14000k. http://www.atinorthamerica.com/faq.php. I to am looking at ATI bulbs I don't really care for the super blue look. I also found this site that has bulb comparisons for the ATI bulbs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-TbkPJhHkY.

[Mark426]

To ramp the light up and down, however, these bulbs are not meant to be held at lower power.

I agree. Dim to simulate sunrise/sunset, the rest of the time 100%

[solitude127]

Maybe try replacing the C+ with a GE6500

[outssider]

get rid of one or both of the actinics and put in a p+

[kelp47]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm going to have to think on this for a bit. Bob46, thanks for that video link. That is a great overview and comparison of the bulbs! I may wait until the next video (on bulb combinations) comes out before I make my final decision.