48 t5 bulbs

[dannyafoster]

I'm looking for a place to buy 2 54w 48" 12000k bulbs and 2 54w actinic bulbs for relatively cheap. I'm still in the start up stage so im trying to keep it cheap being that's im almost $1000 in already. Does anyone know where I can purchase these?

 

[1mbrews8]

I don't know if this would help, but I have several used 60" bulbs? If you have a retro fit, you could rig it up, but a fixture obviously wouldn't work..

lmk

mike

 

[stevhan]

Call around to some of the sponsor stores. Shipping on bulbs of that size can be costly.

 

[dannyafoster]

ok thanks for the info im new to this. this will be my first reef tank. whats a retrofit?

 

[stevhan]

retrofit is without buying a whole fixture. It is where you take an existing retrofit kit or build your own with the different components.

 

[dannyafoster]

ok well I would like to use the ballast I have now im not really a DIY person

 

[skriz]

Stevhan's dead on: but locally. But, buy decent lamps. Lighting is a very important part of a reef tank. You don't want to add lighting that's not going to look good to you and work well.

 

[stevhan]

Skirz is right on the lighting. You will notice that most people on here will have the higher quality bulbs. You'll pay a little more but it will give you a much better look and better growth with goo bulbs. Most stores should have a selection of both. I like ATI and Geismann bulbs much better than standard bulbs that come in with most midline fixtures. Some fixtures come with bulbs, some without. Building a fish tank is much like building a car, better parts are more entertaining.

 

[dannyafoster]

ok someone mentioned ATI bulbs too me before I might look into them

Edit: I know this is a off subject question for this thread but do you think an RO/DI unit from ebay will be ok? this is the one im looking at.

 

[dannyafoster]

what about the coral plus I have a 4 bulb set up any ideas of mixture of bulbs to put in maybe 2 ble plus and 2 coral plus? suggestions?

 

[fishlips]

I forgot what size tank you have,but i know its not a nano or small if you are asking about 48" bulbs.If that ro/di is 50 gpd (gal-per-day).It will not produce water that fast.Get a 75 or more.Hope this info helps.Ask as many ? as you want.We all were there at one point.LOL

 

[stevhan]

If you have a large enough reservoir to hold water you can make up enough water to last as long as you need. I use an 80 gallon reservoir, fill it up and fill 5 gallon water jugs for topping off and fill the vat back to 60 gallons for a water change on my 140 gallon. If you go with the RO save yourself some trouble and get an auto shut off valve and solenoid to help avoid flooding.

 

[fishlips]

DannyaFoster;888305 wrote: what about the coral plus I have a 4 bulb set up any ideas of mixture of bulbs to put in maybe 2 ble plus and 2 coral plus? suggestions?

Those bulbs are both stand alone bulbs.Means they will produce what your coral need.Do some research on them you will find out how good they are.The cost of each bulb will be about 22.00.Not bad for one of the best bulbs you can buy.With a 4 bulb fixture, you can also go with 3blue plus and 1coral plus.I am a firm beleiver in the coral plus, because the growth i seen when i added to my sps tank.On my 180,I have 4 blue pus,3 coral plus and 1 aqua blue sp.

 

[dannyafoster]

ok thanks for the advice on the RO/DI ill look for a larger one I amsetting up a 90g. I think I decided on the lights. Any opinions help. heres the plan. cost a bit more than I planned but ive heard many people stress that lights are one of if not the most important part in a reef tank.

ATI Blue+
ATI Purple+
ATI Coral+
ATI Blue+

 

[fishlips]

DannyaFoster;888311 wrote: ok thanks for the advice on the RO/DI ill look for a larger one I amsetting up a 90g. I think I decided on the lights. Any opinions help. heres the plan. cost a bit more than I planned but ive heard many people stress that lights are one of if not the most important part in a reef tank.

ATI Blue+
ATI Purple+
ATI Coral+
ATI Blue+

This is good also,Will give you a really nice color.The reason i did not mention the purple plus, is with a 90 gal tank 18" wide and 24" deep.And only having a 4 bulb unit, you will need the most par that you can get.And the purple is not that high in par.If you had a 6 bulb fixtue that would be fine.But me knowing from personal expirence,I would not use the purple in your case.There is a chart on par values o ati bulbs somewhere,and after you seen it you would understand.

 

[dannyafoster]

maybe I could put 3 blue+? or would that be to much

 

[fishlips]

3 blue plus is good,The have good par.The coral plus has good par,also the aqua sp has good par.The purple is low in par such has the actinic bulbs.

Edit:

DannyaFoster;888315 wrote: maybe I could put 3 blue+? or would that be to much

In your case you cant have to much,if anything,not enough.

 

[dannyafoster]

I don't wanna fry the corals?

 

[dannyafoster]

I decided im gonna go with 2 blue+ a coral+ and a aqua sp

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

DannyaFoster;888303 wrote: ok someone mentioned ATI bulbs too me before I might look into them

Edit: I know this is a off subject question for this thread but do you think an RO/DI unit from ebay will be ok? this is the one im looking at.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-GPD-Portable-5stage-Reverse-Osmosis-DOUBLE-DI-RO-SYSTEM-POQ-5BB-50-/111023502106?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d984331a">http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-GPD-Portable-5stage-Reverse-Osmosis-DOUBLE-DI-RO-SYSTEM-POQ-5BB-50-/111023502106?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d984331a</a>[/QUOTE]
I just found this link: [IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=83731">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=83731</a> .
This may be a great setup for you. Air, Water, and Ice is also a sponsor here at ARC. I'm not sure how soon it would be before you would have to change out the media [i'm assuming this is a used setup].

You can PM the beccaf91 for more info.


Wannabee