HO T5 Bulb replacement

[MarianaK]

I have a 48" HT T5 lighting system and replace two bulbs at a time, on a rotational basis, offset by about 3-4 months (roughly).

I went to my LFS to get new bulbs and low and behold, they were carrying a new brand. I was going to get a 100K and an Actnic 420 (as that is what my tank currently has).

They had neither listed exactly as this. The LFS guy I spoke with was not the normal guy and of course said these are better and also that all of the T5 lights are made by either GE or Phillips (regardless of the brand that is indicated on the box).

They had 120K (vs. 100K) and the Actninic was a 480 not the 420.

Here's my problem, I am about to head out of town for about 2 weeks and don't want to put bulbs in that may screw up my system.

Comments on HO T5 bulbs in general, the GE/Philips comment, the different ratings?

I have a variety of corals (softs and some hards). The tank is 75 G.

[t$sps]

stick with the old lights. the coral will be fine since the are still going to get the light they need. the new lights might grow algae, you should definitely be there to see how the replacements effect you system.


Thomas

[Cory Taco Byrd]

was curious about using pink bulbs alongside high actinic and a 'sun' bulb. i understand altering light sources drastically affect the liveststock and algaes. but will the pink freshwater bulb alter aything, or just make the corals and anenomes look better?

[Reefing Madness]

I have a 48" HT T5 lighting system and replace two bulbs at a time, on a rotational basis, offset by about 3-4 months (roughly).

I went to my LFS to get new bulbs and low and behold, they were carrying a new brand. I was going to get a 100K and an Actnic 420 (as that is what my tank currently has).

They had neither listed exactly as this. The LFS guy I spoke with was not the normal guy and of course said these are better and also that all of the T5 lights are made by either GE or Phillips (regardless of the brand that is indicated on the box).

They had 120K (vs. 100K) and the Actninic was a 480 not the 420.

Here's my problem, I am about to head out of town for about 2 weeks and don't want to put bulbs in that may screw up my system.

Comments on HO T5 bulbs in general, the GE/Philips comment, the different ratings?

I have a variety of corals (softs and some hards). The tank is 75 G.

You'll be fine using the 12k and 480n Actinic. The higher up the K range you go, the bluer the color. Your tank won't be as yellow with the 12k lamp. As for the Actinic, 400nm is a black light, so the higher up the scale you go the brighter the purple. Normal Actinics are 420 and 460.