Decisions, Decisions, Decisions?

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

I have two t5 lights that require new bulbs. The fixtures take the 96 watts square pin bulbs. The bulbs needed are 4 per light. These 96 watt T5 bulbs have a dual light within each bulb. The fixtures has two power cords and two switches that power 2 bulbs each.

My dilemna is the following: Which bulbs should I go with. :confused2: Should I go with ...

1.) Two 10,000 K and two actinic 420 nanometer (blue)

2.) Two 50/50 and two actinic 420 nanometer (blue)

3.) One 10,000 K and one 50/50 on one switch and one 420 nanometer (blue) and one 50/50 on the other switch

4. ) Your choose of T5 bulb configuration. Please list in your responses. Thanks in advance.


Note: The 50/50 bulb is 50 % 10,000 K and 50 % true actinic. These t5 lights are for a future setup of a community reef tank with some corals, especially SPS corals. I am looking at Corallife T5 bulbs currently.

Any help or ideas would be appreciated. Any past experience with Corallife T5's would also be appreciated.

Wannabee

 

[ripped tide]

Hey Tim, looks like you might actually have a power compact fixture. Not a whole lot of options out there for those bulbs.

I'd do one actinic(420/460) and a 50/50(10k/420)

 

[KrisDeitz]

Use those radions you got!

 

[ripped tide]

PFCDeitz;834713 wrote: Use those radions you got!

Yeah, wait a second.... Why are you replacing bulbs??? Lol!

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Ripped Tide;834712 wrote: Hey Tim, looks like you might actually have a power compact fixture. Not a whole lot of options out there for those bulbs.

I'd do one actinic(420/460) and a 50/50(10k/420)

Ripped Tide:

Your proposed setup [x2] for each fixture. Each fixture takes a total of four bulbs.

 

[ripped tide]

WannabeeaReefKeeper;834718 wrote: Ripped Tide:

Your proposed setup [x2] for each fixture. Each fixture takes a total of four bulbs.

Just to be sure that we are on the same page, do you have a model number or pic of the fixture?

Back in the day, we only had PC and fluorescent bulbs. I've read that the best ratio for PC or fluorescent bulbs is 25:75. (25%white / 75%blue)


Now a days, there are MANY bulb options and colors. If you have a t-5 fixture that takes the 54w, 39w or 24w t5s, I can make some suggestions with more variety: pinks, purples, blues and whites

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Ripped Tide;834714 wrote: Yeah, wait a second.... Why are you replacing bulbs??? Lol!

I had a 125 gallon that I purchased 2 summers ago for a great price. The bulbs definitely require replacement. The aquarium was/is on hold since then. I was gonna sell it when I recently received some "good news from Seth" around Christmas time.

The 125 was not drilled and looking at rdnelson99 bean animal setup gave me an idea to hold onto the used tank and complete an bean animal makeover on that tank.

I do have the radions for the 120 gallon tank. I don't believe they will be enough for SPS corals. The radions are already spoken for with the 120 gallon. I'm currently in the pre-planning stage of my man-cave. I am considering setting up both tanks. This is part of my long term goals. I'm setting of some stepping stones to get there, so I posted my current dilemna on the t5 bulb configuration.

Wannabee

Edit:

PFCDeitz;834713 wrote: Use those radions you got!

Kris:

The radions are already spoken for. Their going on the 120 tank.

Wannabee

Edit:

Ripped Tide;834725 wrote: Just to be sure that we are on the same page, do you have a model number or pic of the fixture?

Back in the day, we only had PC and fluorescent bulbs. I've read that the best ratio for PC or fluorescent bulbs is 25:75. (25%white / 75%blue)


Now a days, there are MANY bulb options and colors. If you have a t-5 fixture that takes the 54w, 39w or 24w t5s, I can make some suggestions with more variety: pinks, purples, blues and whites

The t5 bulbs are here: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13313">http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13313</a> for Corallife. The bulbs are approximately 34" in length.

Wannabee

Edit: The fixture has Current t5 bulbs currently.

Edit: [QUOTE=][B]Ripped Tide;834725 wrote:[/B] Just to be sure that we are on the same page, do you have a model number or pic of the fixture?

Back in the day, we only had PC and fluorescent bulbs. I've read that the best ratio for PC or fluorescent bulbs is 25:75. (25%white / 75%blue)


Now a days, there are MANY bulb options and colors. If you have a t-5 fixture that takes the 54w, 39w or 24w t5s, I can make some suggestions with more variety: pinks, purples, blues and whites[/QUOTE]
Your right. It's not T5's. It's power compact. My bad!

 

[frantz]

Those are indeed Power Compacts as Dylan suggested. The number in T5 means it is 5/8". Traditional bulbs are called T8s and they are 1" or 8/8", just so you know a little more about the terminology. I've never run the big PC bulbs before but I had a small fixture on a 10g nano and wasn't thrilled with them. I ended up saving the case of the fixture for a future LED project. I'd get a true set of T5s for this little project. Also, I fully support you have 2 tanks. I have 4 salt tanks and 3 freshwater tanks in my apartment!

 

[ripped tide]

http://www.marinedepot.com/lighting_powercompact_compact-fluorescent_bulbs_information-ap.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/lighting_powercompact_compact-fluorescent_bulbs_information-ap.html</a>


Check out this link. I suggest 2x actinic 03(420nm)/7100k(460nm) and 2x 7100k(460nm)/10k bulbs

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Thanks Frantz on your explaination on lighting and your personal experience with compact lighting.

Thanks Ripped Tide for the link and your personal configuration of which lights I should choose.

Any one else have any experience with compact lighting in a larger tank? I want to setup a community 125 gallon reef tank with some SPS corals. Please let me know what size tank you have related to power compact lighting.

 

[jamescook]

Lighting is a never ending debate, but I've found the PC bulbs are not to be valued. They are expensive to replace and dim substantially within the first month of use. The way folks are always upgrading around here, you can probably find a MH/ VHO setup for cheap. I say kick it old-school.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Bump.

Looking for more personal experience with power compact lighting on larger tanks, i.e. 120 gallon.


Wannabee

P.S. Thanks James for your personal experience on power compact. Interesting observation after only a months usage. This maybe a game changer for me?

 

[jhutto]

James is giving you good advice...

 

[saltloco]

I agree I have no faith in pc. Maybe for fish only. A cheap t5 is even better for sure.

 

[mph84]

I had 2x 150 watt halides with 2x 96 watt power compact actinic bulbs and it worked pretty well over a 120. Pc's just aren't enough by themselves. They are as stated, overpriced. Not much bang for your buck.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Bump!

Anyone else with personal experience on Halide lighting?

I'm currently interested in at least 250 watt setups. What brand of ballasts should I look for? I want quality products and hope the product "is not made in china".

Wannabee

 

[ripped tide]

Are you looking for a fixture, pendants, or retrofit?

Do you want t5 supplements?

 

[smoothie]

Depends on what you want to spend. Galaxy ballats are cheapish. Go mogul for more bulb options. Get the best reflector you can. Watch the heat though. Good fans and good heaterS to keep the temp the same for a well ballanced tank

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Ripped Tide;837188 wrote: Are you looking for a fixture, pendants, or retrofit?

Do you want t5 supplements?

I'm leaning towards pendants. I haven't yet considered retrofit, this could be an option? I may not need t5 supplements, because I would then be looking for the combination fixture?

Wannabee

Edit:

Smoothie;837191 wrote: Depends on what you want to spend. Galaxy ballats are cheapish. Go mogul for more bulb options. Get the best reflector you can. Watch the heat though. Good fans and good heaterS to keep the temp the same for a well ballanced tank

I've seen a recent reply where a certain brand of reflectors what great with coverage, but had no slots within the reflector to release the heat. Maybe I should brainstorm a little and design my own reflector that would give me great coverage as well as release some of the heat from the bulb within the reflector itself?

Wannabee

 

[ripped tide]

Do you plan to use a canopy?