90G 4 or 6 T5 bulbs

Here are some combinations by folks smarter than I to consider....



Blue
Actinic White
Blue
GE 6500K
Blue
Blue
You could make the color slightly bluer by moving the Actinic White and GE lamps back one slot so 2 blues are in front. For a more blue look replace the GE lamp with an Aquablue, less blue replace a blue with an Aquablue.

Aquablue
Blue
Actinic White
Blue
Blue
Aquablue
For a more blue look replace the front Aquablue with a blue, less blue replace a blue with an Aquablue


Mark

PS -- I really think you'll be happier with 6....

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Im for sure going to put 6 bulbs in eventually, its just a matter of purchasing another ballast and bulbs, I just wanted others opinions on how badly if at all 4 bulbs would limit me. The tank is completely unstocked right now so theres no hurry to get the extra light in.

As far as the issues i was having with the ballast, 2in10 was somewhat correct, and so was I. Ive been reading all night about fluorescent light issues and learned that ballasts rarely go bad. 2in10 suggested I would need all of the bulbs to make them light, thats incorrect, but its also somewhat right. Most ballasts power 2 or 4 bulbs, and 4's can usually power 3. In my case, the philips centium powers 3 or 4. As I learned from my internet research, the ballast is broken up into either 2 pairs of 2 bulbs, or a pair of 2 bulbs and a single bulb. If you wire up one of the pairs, you need both bulbs in the pair to make them both work properly. Like i said this can be done with 2 pairs or a pair and a single to have a 3 bulb fixture.

The problem was I only have one bulb so i cant test a pair. To solve my problem, i simply wired the fixture for 3 bulbs, because the one single circuit is separate and should power up with one bulb. After the quick wire change, i plugged in teh light and voila, the light works perfectly, turns on instantly and stays on.

So in conclusion now that Ive changed the wiring back to run 4 lights. I need at least 2 bulbs to make each circuit work.

Either way im going to assemble it all wired back into the hood knowing that it works.

If anyone ever needs to wire a philips centium for 3 or 4 bulbs and loses the diagram, i now have it burned deep into my brain.

 

How much did each item cost you? I'm upgrading from a 38g tank to a 75g and will need to replace my 4 bulb 36 inch light fixture. Debating buying a fixture, or doing it myself.

 

the reflectors were 23 a piece
the endcaps were 8 per pair
the mounts for the endcaps were 5 per pair
the ballast was 65
power cord was 6
bulbs are about 25 a piece

so minus bulbs 216 dollars,

add another 100 for 4 quality bulbs

In the longs run with a retro kit, you get much better components for the same price as buying a complete light.

In comparison i looked at a wavepoint 4 bulb for 260. If you build it yourself you end up with a nicer light

 

Just an FYI for whoever might find this thread useful in the future. I got my bulbs today, final configuration is
geissman aqua blue+
fiji purple
pure actinic
and coral light (10000k)

absolutely love the color, its a very bright with a hint of blue color, really lights up the tank nicely

thanks everyone for all the help and suggestions