T5 Lighting Question

[tnyga]

Just purchased a 4 bulb Aqualife 24" fixture...I really like it.

I assume stock bulbs are nothing to write home bout...(thats kind of a question)

Would it benefit to replace the bulbs for "better" lighting?? I ask before I know theres a huge difference in stock MH bulbs to lets say the Phoenix brand...

If thats the case whate do y'all recommend?

Thanks in advance

 

[rbredding]

I'm sure that there is a big difference, but IMO, since you've got the lights now.. try them out for a couple weeks or a month.. get a feel for if you like them and your pets like them..

people don't like the currentusa lamps that come in the Extreme fixture that I have, but I liked them just fine..

 

[nanonano]

tnyga;472235 wrote: Just purchased a 4 bulb Aqualife 24" fixture...I really like it.

I assume stock bulbs are nothing to write home bout...(thats kind of a question)

Would it benefit to replace the bulbs for "better" lighting?? I ask before I know theres a huge difference in stock MH bulbs to lets say the Phoenix brand...

If thats the case whate do y'all recommend?

Thanks in advance

haha, you and I are in the exact same boat. Did you look at my tank thread I sent you?

This thread has every answer to your question and more. It goes over PAR numbers, different bulb combinations to produce certain colors, etc.

It's probably the greatest resource of T5 information on the net.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=178954">http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=178954</a>

I just got this hood too and I love the Moonlights, but the stock T5 bulbs I don't like at all.

I'm going with this combo:

2 ATI Blue +
KZ Fiji Purple

and the last bulb still not sure about. I want it really blue. Maybe a UVL Actinic or an Aquablue.

 

[tnyga]

Thanks....lots of ways to go...im not crazy about the whites...was nice not to wake up to a dark tank lol...wife woke up with the LEDs on and at 6 she said the lights changed...I was like cool...the atinics came on and the LEDs off...LOVE the timer!!!

I want to switch out bulbs today...whos the best to go to?

NanoNano;472238 wrote: haha, you and I are in the exact same boat. Did you look at my tank thread I sent you?

This thread has every answer to your question and more. It goes over PAR numbers, different bulb combinations to produce certain colors, etc.

It's probably the greatest resource of T5 information on the net.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=178954">http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=178954</a>

I just got this hood too and I love the Moonlights, but the stock T5 bulbs I don't like at all.

I'm going with this combo:

2 ATI Blue +
KZ Fiji Purple

and the last bulb still not sure about. I want it really blue. Maybe a UVL Actinic or an Aquablue.[/QUOTE]

 

[nanonano]

tnyga;472241 wrote: Thanks....lots of ways to go...im not crazy about the whites...was nice not to wake up to a dark tank lol...wife woke up with the LEDs on and at 6 she said the lights changed...I was like cool...the atinics came on and the LEDs off...LOVE the timer!!!

I want to switch out bulbs today...whos the best to go to?

I am really trying to figure out which bulb I want for the 4th. All of the people in that thread ordered their bulbs from 1 of 2 sites. I'm trying to find them for you now.

I am set on 2 ATI Blue Plus and the KZ Fiji Purp. I can't decide on that last stinking bulb though.

 

[nanonano]

Reefgeek.com
AquariumSpecialty.com

 

[nanonano]

The last bulb I've decided to go with a UVL SuperActinic. I think my tank is going to be really blue, but that's what I want. This guy is using the same combo.

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[snowmansnow]

NanoNano;472243 wrote: I am really trying to figure out which bulb I want for the 4th. All of the people in that thread ordered their bulbs from 1 of 2 sites. I'm trying to find them for you now.

I am set on 2 ATI Blue Plus and the KZ Fiji Purp. I can't decide on that last stinking bulb though.

ATI Blue Special. Nice n white with a blue tint to = out the purple from the fuji and the blue plus

 

[nanonano]

SnowManSnow;472460 wrote: ATI Blue Special. Nice n white with a blue tint to = out the purple from the fuji and the blue plus

I thought of that one too. What would be the difference between that and the Super Actinic?

 

[weaglereefer]

I found that the Super Actinic didn't put out much "light" like the Aquablue Special did. The Actinic is, well, actinic and will add some pop, the Special is f'n bright!!!

 

[nanonano]

So brighter light, but less fluorescent pop from the corals?

 

[weaglereefer]

Yes, it's more of a 12k bulb. It's white with a hint of blue.

 

[nanonano]

Maybe I'll buy both and see which one I like better. It's so hard to tell...

 

[tnyga]

I just picked up the Giesemann Aquablue+ and left the stock atinics (for the moment) and its got a real nice blue/white and love the look it gives for what I was trying to capture....The corals pop and are all opening very nicely...

So ATM I have the 2 Giesemann Aquablue+ and the 2 stock Atinics...Will post pics this afternoon when they come back on....

Its more of a 15k bulbs Heres the selling garbage

T-5 Diameter High Output Lamp
Blue Spectrum Peaks at 450 nm
Supplementation Lamp encourages blueing in SPS coral, minor fluorescing.
Recommendations: This lamp is ideally suited to be used as a standalone, or when used in a 2:1 or 3:1 fashion with blue or actinic supplementary lamps.

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[snowmansnow]

NanoNano;472500 wrote: I thought of that one too. What would be the difference between that and the Super Actinic?

The actinic is no where close to as bright, and doesn't produce NEARLY as much PAR.