Need to upgrade my T5 bulbs, need some opinions.

Hey all, I have a 36" Odyssea T5 HO fixture. It's 4x39w. Right now I have the stock lights that came with it, which are... 2x39w 12,000k daylight, and 2x39w actinic. All my corals are healthy and growing. Mostly softies, a couple of anemonies, and a blue maxima. Anyway, I like the color that the tank is now, and would like to keep it very close to the way it is. I have had the fixture for almost a yr., and from all the articles Ive read, I think its time to change the bulbs. I would appreciate any suggestions on bulb manufacturers, and what to replace them with. Thanks.

 

ATI have the most PAR of any bulbs and will allow you to keep the more difficult corals. I would suggest getting 2 Blue Plus and 2 Aquablue Specials. Both bulbs have actinic spectrum and are very strong in PAR. The Blue Plus is considered to be a 20KK to 22KK bulb and the Aquablue a 12KK bulb.

 

if you dont want a blueish look.. from the ati's.. try 2xuvl 12k actinic whites and 2xuvl super actinics.

 

Some of the customer reviews are saying the uvl you suggested do have a blueish look. I definately am not a fan of the blue looking tank. Do you have the uvl's on your setup. Thanks again.

 

cant get ATI where I am

I can get Geisseman - and I would go with 3 x Aquablue 14K and 1 x Power chrome actinic plus 22K
that is a very nice colour IMO


Steve

 

I do have a uvl acinticwhite 12k pink bulb.. its bright white. the actinics are more of a purple bulb..

what could also use a 10k uvl instead of the 12k and used the super actinic as your other bulbs.
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Replacement_Bulbs/T5_Fluorescent/UV_Lighting_(UVL)/

 

Well, I think this might be it. Tell me what you guys think. 3x UVL Aquablue 75/25 14K T5 39W 36" T5 Bulb, 1x UVL Super Actinic T5 39W 36" T5 Bulb. Each bulb is $20.95, for a total of $83.80 ? Thanks for your input.

 

Your tank will have a more intense light than before. I believe you will find it to be pinkish purple with that bulb combination. The 75/25 is pink in color.

 

sub 1 72/25 with a 454nm.. (blue bulb) , and sub 1 75/25 with a 10k actinic white.

The 75/25 is a pinkish bulb, good bulb. but you'll want some more white in there change to 10k and little blue add the 454nm. call to see if they have the 454 in stock.

my recommendations:

14k aquablue
454nm
10k
super actinic

that would give you a little of everything.. shouldnt have any washout colors from that combo.

 

Man this is confusing. I was looking for the geissman combination that steve wright is recommending, but I cant find the exact bulbs you are talking about. Could you post a link please. Thanks again