Time to replace my T5's - but with what bulbs?

[CMOS]

Howdy All,

When I set up about 7 months ago I bought a used Custom Sea Life light hood that houses a single MH (175) and 2 Power Compact T5 bulbs (wattage unknown), all under a single reflector.

The MH is a new bulb but the T5's are at least 2 years old now and from what I have been reading, will need replacing.

In short - with what?

I see so many different wattage ratings and light colors, that I'll need some recommendations.

My tank dimensions are 30L x 13W x 30" tall. I'm a beginner, so to speak, so I won't be adding any corals that are considered to be "high maintenance". Critters in the tank so far are 3 fish, some CUC shrimp, a small patch of Zoos, some Button polyps, a Frogspawn and some Mushrooms (who are doing exceedingly well).

I'll soon be adding some Green Star Polyps and hopefully some type of Leather Coral.

You thoughts on bulb colors and wattage?

Thanks,
CMOS

[charlie]

First off, are you using power compacts, or T5?? What do the bulbs look like, u-shaped, or a single bulb??
What K rating is the 175w halide?
If it was me, I would go for an actinic T5, if that is what you have?

[CMOS]

First off, are you using power compacts, or T5?? What do the bulbs look like, u-shaped, or a single bulb??
What K rating is the 175w halide?
If it was me, I would go for an actinic T5, if that is what you have?

The MH is a 10K. The Power Compacts are the twin style (one socket) but the don't actually terminate in a U-shape. The look like two individual bulbs on one socket. Is "T5" the wrong terminology for these?

Been doing quite a bit of reading, might go with a mixed bulb that has an Actinic (420nM) & a 7100K (460nM). Reviews of these seem to be very high.

Thoughts?

CMOS

[charlie]

I believe that you have power compacts, but without seeing a pic, I can't be real sure.
Do you have the availability of separate timers so you can turn the lites on at different times. If so, get the actinic bulb and go for the dawn-dusk. Have the actinic come on before 1-2 hours before the halide, and turn off 1-2 hours after the halide goes off.

[CMOS]

I believe that you have power compacts, but without seeing a pic, I can't be real sure.
Do you have the availability of separate timers so you can turn the lites on at different times. If so, get the actinic bulb and go for the dawn-dusk. Have the actinic come on before 1-2 hours before the halide, and turn off 1-2 hours after the halide goes off.

Agreed that I do indeed have Power Compacts, based on pics from the Marine Depot web site.

Yes, I designed my own high-current timers for the MH and PC's so I can do the dawn-dusk thing. Looks pretty cool. This timer is a real product that I am now selling in high-end Marine pet shops.

CMOS

[charlie]

Agreed that I do indeed have Power Compacts, based on pics from the Marine Depot web site.

Yes, I designed my own high-current timers for the MH and PC's so I can do the dawn-dusk thing. Looks pretty cool. This timer is a real product that I am now selling in high-end Marine pet shops.

CMOS

Got a pic of your timer? That is kind of neat for you, huh??

[CMOS]

Got a pic of your timer? That is kind of neat for you, huh??

Charlie, here's a link to the timers: Ocean Aquatics Inc.


So, do you agree with going to the 420/460 bulb combo?


CMOS (Greg)

[charlie]

Yep, I think you and your critters will be happier. Do you do the dawn-dusk effect now?

Thanx for the link, I will give that a look.

[CMOS]

You betcha. Been doing that for months. Started out with one timer but then read about the dawn-dusk effect, so I added another timer.

My T5's run off the same circuit as the cooling fan in the hood for the MH's. I run the MH's on a separate timer that runs THROUGH the T5/fan timer circuit so that the MH's never turn on unless the cooling fans are on. I needed to be sure this took place as I didn't want to depend on memory to ensure that the fans were on. So basically, it's idiot-proff now.


CMOS

[charlie]

Idiot proof is good!!!!