Help deciding T5 Bulbs

[vettesarebest]

Ok guys this is what I am planning on getting. http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=SL2115">http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=SL2115</a>

I don't know much about T5's but I am going to be doing some reading. I would like to know what would be the best combination of bulbs to get for this light as far as colors go. I would like to have a color range to be at 20K.

Thanks guys

 

[glxtrix]

dont know much about that light but make sure the bulbs have individual reflectors, thats the key to T5 lighting.

 

[dbm5557]

I am no expert and have only been running t'5 for a few months but here is what I found from GrimReefer on RC.

1 UVL Aquasun, Super Actinic, ATI Blue Plus, ATI Aquablue is close to 14k (this is what I have)

Swap the ATI Blue Plus for another ATI Aquablue or GE6500K to get a little whiter look.

 

[vettesarebest]

Do they make fixtures like this with individual reflectors?

 

[cameron]

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Light_Fixtures/36_inch__Tek_Light:_4-39W_T5_High-Output_Fixture_with_Bulbs_by_Sunlight_Supply">http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Light_Fixtures/36_inch__Tek_Light:_4-39W_T5_High-Output_Fixture_with_Bulbs_by_Sunlight_Supply</a>

Same fixture and does include individual reflectors. This version is $340 with bulbs. The non-bulb version is only $288.

 

[vettesarebest]

Thanks Cameron!

 

[vettesarebest]

You still have to choose what kind of bulbs you want though right?

 

[wbholwell]

Bryan, I've found that with T5's you have to add more 'blue' bulbs than you'd think to get a bluish look. Right now I have two 10000K, one 6500K, two actinic plus (460nm) and one true actinic (420nm) bulb. The tank looks very white with all the lights on, maybe a 10 or 11K. I'm thinking of replacing the 6500K bulb with an actinic.

hth

 

[vettesarebest]

Thanks, I think I might have to read into this more.

 

[justonemoretank]

I got all of my T5s and ballasts from http://www.ReefGeek.com">www.ReefGeek.com</a> They are awesome (the lights and the website) and I highly recommend!
I am running 2 Blue Plus, 2 AquaBlue 11k, 1 GE Sun 6.5k, and 1 Pure Actinic. All of my bulbs are getting pretty old and I should replace them soon.
Make sure you get individual reflectors; one reflector for each bulb. This is very important to really get all of the light out of each bulb. Also I highly recommend spending a little extra money and getting the Ice Cap 660 Ballast. The IC 660 ballast is great and really pushes the bulbs and makes them put out tons of light! :) :) :)

 

[wbholwell]

JustOneMoreTank;42714 wrote:
I am running 2 Blue Plus, 2 AquaBlue 11k, 1 GE Sun 6.5k, and 1 Pure Actinic.
The IC 660 ballast is great and really pushes the bulbs and makes them put out tons of light!

My 10Ks are actually the AquaBlue's, so you have the same bulb configuration as I. Are you overdriving them with the IC 660 ballasts? If so, I'd love to do a PAR comparison between our tanks to see how much more light you get with the IC's. We could add the data to the club's PAR thread:thumbs:

 

[justonemoretank]

I thought that my AquaBlue bulbs were 11k (not that there is much of a difference between 10 and 11 I know).
I actually changed out some bulbs that I had forgotten about. I got some off of Reef Geek when I added 2 bulbs and got the Ice Cap ballast. I used to only run 4 bulbs over my 120g tank and now I have 6 bulbs. 4 bulbs are overdriven with the IC 660 ballast and the other two bulbs are normal output with the standard ballast from Reef Geek.
I have front to back: Blue Plus, Aquablue 11k, Blue Plus, Pure Actinic, Blue Plus, and Aquablue 11k . The middle 4 bulbs are run by the better Ice Cap Ballast. The two bulbs on the outside (front and back most bulbs) are normal output, run by the standard ballast.
I would love to test the PAR. I have always wanted to see what that would be for my tank.

 

[wbholwell]

Yeah, I believe the AquaBlues are 11Ks. Are your bulbs 72"? Mine are 48", but still I think depth x to depth x comparisons should be okay. Let's borrow the club's PAR meter!

 

[cameron]

Maroons16;42669 wrote: You still have to choose what kind of bulbs you want though right?

Yes. The $340 unit comes with bulbs you just pick the ones you want from the website.

Keep in mind as a general rule, the more blue you go the less growth but the more color or rather the less brown. So most people try to keep a good balance between bulbs. I personally run 4 MidDay (6000k) bulbs and 2 Giesman Pure Actinic (the only actually truly actinic T5 that I know of). Those are surrounded by MH 250w 10k XMs so I don't need as much blue in my tank as a pure T5 setup.

 

[justonemoretank]

My bulbs are 48" because the tank is a 4 feet long 120g.
Is the PAR meter expensive???

 

[cameron]

Yes around $300, but I think you can rent the clubs for $10.

 

[cameron]

Big D;42932 wrote: <span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Bryan, your link is to a 6 lamp fixture... Cameron's link is to a 4 lamp. Not sure what size tank it's going on, but seeing as how it's the 36" bulbs, you'll probably fine with a 4 lamp. I run 8 on my 180gal. As far as where to get the fixture, you might want to try Sam at Aquabuys since he's local. It will probalby cost you about $20 more after you buy the bulbs, but you'll have the piece of mind that the bulbs won't be broken in shipping since they are very fragile. Here's a link, not sure if he keeps these fixtures in stock or not though:</span>

Good catch. I just read the description below the picture that said:

36"-39W 4 lamps
36"L x 11"W x 2.5"H

Should have read the line description instead. Yes that would be $430 with bulbs at ReefGeek and I would just go with Sam in that case especially if he will match and throw in 6 bulbs for the same price.