haha, I knew the first definition. I'm retro.

I figured the second but just wasn't sure. Thanks!

I'm older and cooler than you.

Undoubtedly.

Weetie, I picked up (2) Blue +, a 75.25 and an Aquablue Special. Right now, I'm using the (2) Blue plus along with a Blue+ and Actinic Wht I had. I love that (3) Blue+/Actinic Wht combo. I keep coming back to it. Maybe I need a Fiji to try in place of the 75.25. I'm just tired of dumping $ into lamps right now too.

I am running the 2nd combo in my ATI Sunpower. I use the 2 Blue+ for dawn/dusk, and fire all 4 for the rest of the time. I think it looks awesome, exactly how I wanted, although some will tell you to swap out the Aquablue Special for a GE 6500K.

Why didn't you like the 75/25?
A lot of ppl seem to think it's the Shiz.
You probably commented on this earlier, but even I lose track of the discussion in here at times!

Thanks alot for your help Weetabix7.
If I'm not mistaken I would turn on the 2 Actinic for the dawn/dusk effect right?

It was ok. Considering it is 75% actinic, I thought it would make things pop more than it really did. Oranges and such were really flat. I had it in with the AB and (2) Blue +. I was thinking about trying that combo again. I just can't seem to break myself from the (3)Blue+and AW though.

I've been using the Blue + for that.

Anybody using:

D&D/Giesemann
Midday 325
Aquablue 324

Curious what the color would look like compared to the ATI Blue+ and Aquablue would be...

Weetie, did u get the indigo yet?

Not yet, supposed to get here tomorrow.



No experience with these, sry.

is 8x39w T5 a lot of light over a 50gal. breeder? debating between the 50 and the 40 breeder (50 is just 2" taller). thanks!

Keep us posted. (..like I had to remind you. lol) I'm really interested to see this bulb in action, and your thoughts of course. Your entire day must be spent playing with lamp combos.

Ok, JUST got the new bulbs.
All I've done so far is put in an ATI Blue+ with a UVL Indigo Sun.
First impressions are that I like the Indigo Sun better than the ATI Aquablue.
Doesn't give the hazy effect an Aquablue does.
If you just had a 2 bulb T5HO fixture over your tank, I could see an ATI Aquablue and UVL Indigo Sun working well.
Where the Aquablue was an icy white, basically a white with a very slight blue tint, the UVL Indigo Sun is a very slightly warm white, basically a white with a very slight pink tint.
The pink is not strong at all.

I haven't tried any other combos at all yet, will report back when I do.

Hmm, getting some interesting and unexpected results.
Working on pics for everyone.
Commentary isn't worth much without accompanying pics.

Ok, this pic is taken under a 39w UVL Indigo Sun and a 39w ATI Blue+.
Looks slightly dim in the pics, but keep in mind there are only 2 bulbs on.
I think that 2 Indigo Sun and 2 Blue+ would actually be a decent combo.







Ok, now here are some pics taken under 2 different 4 bulb combos.
Some things to keep inmind with these pics--
I am using 2 36" bulbs and 2 24" bulbs. I used 24" reflectors on the longer bulbs to help balance it out a little.
The 2 24" bulbs are in a fixture that has one single reflector behind both bulbs, not individual reflectors.

Here ya go.

36" ATI Blue+
36" UVL Indigo Sun
24" ATI Blue+
24" Fiji Purple







My analysis: A very natural looking combo that is just slightly too pink for me. Not bad looking at all though, esp if you like the natural look.

2 36" ATI Blue+
24" Fiji Purple
24" GE 6500







My analysis: Looks a lot bluer than I expected. I'm sure this is partly due to the fact that the 2 stronger bulbs are both blue bulbs.
Looks even bluer in the pics than in real life, and I think the fact that the white wall behind the tank reflecting the blue bulb in back has a lot to do with this.
I may try to get some better pics of this that more closely represents how it looks IRL.
Basically imagine it a little less blue and the coral colors looking a little brighter.
I actually like this combo a lot more than I expected and I may end up going with this.

For those who are wondering why I have 2 36" bulbs and 2 24" bulbs, I actually felt that my light was just a little too strong for my corals before.
This is a Softie/LPS dominated tank, and since I am using a canopy with a retro rather than a fixture, using 2 bulbs that were not as strong was a good way for my to slightly tone down the power/PAR/wattage that my lights were putting out.

Dangit, the pics of that last combo are all wrong, it's so not that blue.
It looks pretty good actually.
Working on getting better pics in just a bit here...
That's what I get for trying to rush to get pics to you, oh well.

They all look great, your tank is awesome. My pics never look anything like they do in real life.

Nice colors on the last set of pics, Weetie! I think I might get a similar combination when I change my bulbs.

I'm glad you think so!
To me it just looks so blue that the blue washes out the colors.
It's not like that in real life.
IRL the coral colors seem good to me.
I'm experimenting a bit with different settings on the camera to get the pics look more true to life.

I need some input from you guys.
I've noticed that pics can look different on different computer monitors.
I'm on a new computer, so I don't know if those pics just look washed out to me cause of the new computer screen.

Can you guys look at that last set of pics I posted (2 Blue+, 1 Fiji Purple, 1 GE 6500) and tell me if they look blue and washed out to you?
Or do you see the coral colors okay?

A little blue on my display, but I can tell it has more natural looking color reproduction, IMO.

A bit bluish, but I think I like it.

BTW. I ordered from ReefGeek. Great service, quick shipping and bomb-proof packing.

Does anyone know the color spectrum of Indigo Sun? I keep getting confused and really can't find anything on them.

Also what is closer to a 14k; Aquasun or Antic White? Is the 454 a basic antic?

I just picked up a used nova extreme unit from a local for $60. Bulbs are 6 month old stock current bulbs so I may change them soon.

What are everyones opinions on aquascience bulbs? A lfs is having an anniversary sale and has all of the aquascience bulbs for $12.

Does anyone have any experience with these bulbs? I am looking for a blueish color to my tank. Thanks!

I just got an Indigo Sun bulb, and I like it.
It's a white bulb with just a little hint of pink to it.
It looks good with a Blue+.
I actually think 2 ATI Blue+ and 2 UVL Indigo Sun would be a decent combo.
I'm still doing some experimentation on bulb combos with my new bulbs, but that's my input for right now.
I'll try to post some pics tomorrow of what a Blue+ and Indigo Sun look like together.
I posted some yesterday, but they looked kinda dim.
I think I got some better pics today.

yo weetabix,

finally figured out what it is at th supermarket today.. lol, some type of biscuit cereal

Lol, yep.
I picked the SN because of my favorite scene out of a book that I really like called The Last Coin, by James Blaylock.
Basically imagine something involving Lucy Ricardo and Weetabix Cereal.

Ok, I have some new and better pics of a combo of 1 ATI Blue+ and 1 UVL Indigo Sun







I think these pics show more accurately what those 2 bulbs look like together over a tank, and what kind of color effect they produce.
I honestly think that 2 Blue+ and 2 Indigo Sun would probably work pretty good in a 4 bulb combo.
For those who missed it before, I like the Indigo Sun.
It's a white bulb with just a hint of pink in it, but the pink is not overpowering at all.
Basically, it just makes it a slightly warm white bulb.
I should state though that I don't think it works as well as a substitute for an Aquablue in my old favorite combo of 2 Blue+, 1 Fiji Purple and 1 Aquablue.
The combo of 2 Blue+, 1 Fiji Purple and 1 Indigo Sun just looks a little too pink to me.
I think the Fiji Purple needs that "icy white" effect of the Aquablue to balance it out.

This thread needs an index

Are you volunteering for the job?

No thanks...just a suggestion. It's a great source of info, but 75 pages is quite a read.

Most of the really important info is in the first 3 pgs or so.
The rest of the thread is mostly discussion.
Once I finish taking pics of bulb combos with my new bulbs, I'll add the pics and my reviews to the first post.

this is true.. I just think we need more pics on the first page, like a gallery.

I'm doing a 6 bulb with my 20" NEP, here are my plans:

Back
-blue antic
-super antic*
-10k*
-blue antic
-antic white or indigo sun
-blue antic
Front

I'd like a nice blue color but i want my corals to pop. Having a 10k and super antic is a must, but the rest is iffy in my mind. I also can't decide between the indigo sun and antic white... I'm thinking the indigo sun will help the corals pop more.

Yeah, I need to add more pics in the beginning, I'll do that when I can.

If you look at the pics I posted on the page before this, you can get a pretty good feel for the Indigo Sun.
I've had some ppl say that the Actinic white can be pretty reddish pink, which is why I went with the Indigo Sun.
Personally, I like it.

Weet do you still have a UV actinic for sale? I would be interested in a 24. Hopefully tank pics coming soon, time for 12 month lamp upgrade! I am itching to try a 420 actinic in the mix. Glad to see the thread is still going strong.

Knoxvegas and I just finished doing more extensive bulb combo testing, with a few interesting results.
I'm gonna try to get pics of those up in the next couple of hours.
Stay tuned....

Anyone have photo's of the current usa sundial T5 fixture over their tanks? I'm thinking about buying the 24" one.

Ok, I have lotsa bulb combo pics for everyone.
First, a couple of interesting observations that knoxvegas and I made--
1. The ballast used can really make a difference in the color output of the bulb. An example of this is that the UVL Indigo Sun looks white with just a hint of pink when powered by the Universal Accustart ballast in my Retro.
When in knoxvegas' Nova Extreme fixture, the Indigo Sun looked noticeably pinker.
2. The exact same bulb combo can look noticeably different if you simply change the order of the bulbs.
I am posting pics of the same bulb combos with the bulbs in reverse order for several of the combos.
Hopefully the differences will show up in the pics.
In real life the difference is definitely noticeable.

I apologize in advance for all the coralline on the back glass of my aquarium, I know it's distracting.

Ok, enough words, here's pics--




White w/a hint of Blue
3 Blue+, 1 GE 6500.





Daylight look w/a hint of Blue, looks slightly washed out to me
FRONT
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue+
GE 6500
ATI Blue+
BACK




Natural "Daylight" look but w/still enough Blue and "Pop"FRONT
UVL Indigo Sun
ATI Blue+
GE 6500
ATI Blue+
BACK




This is an exact reversal of the previous combo

FRONT
ATI Blue+
GE 6500
ATI Blue+
UVL Indigo Sun
BACK

14k with warm tones (pink)
FRONT
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
UVL Indigo Sun
BACK




This is an exact reversal of the previous bulb combo

FRONT
UVL Indigo Sun
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
BACK




14k with cool tones (bluish purple)
FRONT
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
BACK




This is an exact reversal of the previous bulb combo

FRONT
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
Fiji Purple
BACK


That's all of them folks, I hope it helps.

Weetabix, thanks for posting these. I am still working on bulb combos and your posts are saving me money on bulbs as I figure out what I like. Those are great pix!

Nice shots Weetie thanks for doing all this for us

Thanks guys.
So can you guys see a difference between the pics?
I can def tell a difference between the combos in real life, but I have a harder time seeing the difference in the pics.
Wasn't sure if it was just me.
I mean, I can tell a difference, but it seems more subtle in the pics than it is in real life.
FWIW, the combos I like the best are
-2 Blue+, 1 Indigo Sun, 1 GE 6500
-2 Blue+, 1 Indigo Sun, 1 ATI Aquablue

There may be a slight difference in the yellows in the pics but it is subtle at best. They both look good.

Hey Weet. I was looking for a 24 Indigo Sun. Is this it?

http://premiumaquatics.com/store/merchant....egory_Code=UVT5

It just says Indigo.If this is not it...do you mind telling me where you got it from. Thanks in advance.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's it.
I got mine from AquaCave.

I am having a hard time seeing the difference in the pics, also these are much different than those from Masterbuilder. If you look on page 63 he did Fiji Purple, ATI Blue+, GE 6500, ATI Blue+, and I think it looks awesome. Very white, slight blue. But yours looks more purple. Now I am unsure which is more accurate I don't really like the purple look. Based on your testing, and assuming that 2 x ATI Blue+ and 1GE 6500 is the base layout, as was said at some point, which do you like better between the Fiji and the Indigo Sun?

Part of the difference you're seeing is because of the difference in backgrounds on our tanks.
Masterbuilder will agree with me on that one, it's something he and I have already discussed.
As I also mentioned above, the ballast driving the bulb will make a difference in the color output of the bulb.
What fixture are you using?
In the Nova Extreme fixture, we got a very white with slight blue tint with 3 Blue+ and 1 GE 6500. It was more of a cool look.
I like an Indigo Sun better than a Fiji with 2 Blue+ and 1 GE 6500.
2 Blue+ with a GE 6500 and an Indigo Sun gives a nice natural look with more of a warm tint to it.

The background makes sense now, I didn't think about that. I am using a Sundial fixture. I am not sure if it is the same ballast as the Nova extreme, but it would make sense if it is.

So how does the look of the fiji compare to the indigo sun? I had pretty much decided on getting 2 blue+, a 6500 a fiji and an actinic white, just to have an option. Now I am not sure if the fiji or the indigo sun is what I want.

Maybe these descriptions will help everyone--

14k with cool tones (bluish purple)
2 ATI Blue+
1 ATI Aquablue Special
1 Fiji Purple

14k with warm tones (pink)
2 ATI Blue+
1 ATI Aquablue Special
1 UVL Indigo Sun

14k with warm tones (yellow)
3 ATI Blue+
1 GE 6500

Natural "Daylight" look that still has enough Blue and "Pop"
2 ATI Blue+
1 UVL Indigo Sun
1 GE 6500

I'm not entirely sure how to describe the 2 ATI Blue+, 1 Fiji Purple and 1 GE 6500 combo.
It's kind of a daylight look, but slightly more washed out than the combo above.
To me it seems like the GE 6500 and Fiji Purple don't complement each other as well as the GE 6500 and the Indigo Sun.
I'm 97% certain that I will end up using the 2 ATI Blue+, 1 GE 6500 and 1 Indigo Sun combo over my tank.



To me, the Indigo Sun looks white with just a hint of warm, pink tones
I think the Fiji Purple looks whiteish with cool bluish-purple tones.
Some ppl think the Fiji Purple looks really pinky-purple, but it doesn't look that way in my Retro.
It's possible that it's a ballast thing, don't know for sure.
I've used a Sundial fixture before, and I think that the Fiji Purple might be slightly more purple and the Indigo Sun might be slightly more pink in that fixture.
I haven't seen the Actinic White in person, but from ppl's descriptions it sounds like the Indigo Sun but with more Reddish-Pink in it.
I've heard that the Actinic White gives that "actinic pop" to coral colors even though it doesn't have a blue appearance.
The Indigo Sun does that as well.