T5 Light Bulbs suggestions!!

[danielcassar]

Hi all,

Currently i have a T5 light fixture with 4 T5 54 watts each.
soon i need to replace the bulbs....can someone tell me what is the best combination (as in light colour and wavelength) to have for the new bulbs?

Thanks
Daniel

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

That's a tough one to answer because it really comes down to personal preference. Different people like different looks from their lights. Lots of people use 2 10k and 2 actinic bulbs. When I had a 4 bulb fixture I bought 2 ATI aquablue special bulbs and 2 ATI blue+ bulbs. I personally thought it was a good combination but wanted to try a purple or pink bulb. I went with a 6 bulb fixture shortly after so i never got to play around with different combinations.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Here's a picture of some zoanthids under cheap bulbs. 2 10k and 2 actinic (420) And here's the Aquablue Special and Blue+ bulbs.

[Reefing Madness]

10k or 12k with the Actinic 460n in a T-5. As in FoMoCo's pics the upper one to me has more color pop than the blueish one. The 420 is a deeper purple and in my opinion does not show well in a T-5, but much better in a VHO lamp, that is why I liked the 460nm, its a brighter purple.

[danielcassar]

10k or 12k with the Actinic 460n in a T-5. As in FoMoCo's pics the upper one to me has more color pop than the blueish one. The 420 is a deeper purple and in my opinion does not show well in a T-5, but much better in a VHO lamp, that is why I liked the 460nm, its a brighter purple.

Thanks for all your suggestions.....do u have a pic of your tank with lights on?....at the moment mine are 2 20,000 K marine blue and 2 10,000K Marine white.....should i discard this combiantion?

is the actinic 460n the same as blue 20,000K bulbs? sorry im stupid in lighting specs

thanks

[Reefing Madness]

Thanks for all your suggestions.....do u have a pic of your tank with lights on?....at the moment mine are 2 20,000 K marine blue and 2 10,000K Marine white.....should i discard this combiantion?

is the actinic 460n the same as blue 20,000K bulbs? sorry im stupid in lighting specs

thanks

No need to discard the lamps your currently using. If you like that combo then stick with them. The Actinic lighting is in the deep purple range. If you figure that a black light is 400nm, then you can take a guess at what the 420nm and 460nm bulbs look like.

Kelvin Color Temperatures
ActinicFAQs

[danielcassar]

No need to discard the lamps your currently using. If you like that combo then stick with them. The Actinic lighting is in the deep purple range. If you figure that a black light is 400nm, then you can take a guess at what the 420nm and 460nm bulbs look like.

Kelvin Color Temperatures
ActinicFAQs

Thanks reefmadness....i needed to know if my current light bulbs are good for corals...thanks again