Need to upgrade my T5 bulbs, need some opinions.

the bulbs i've was talking about UVL bulbs. www.reefgeek.com has both brands..

 

Tell reefgeek.com what you want and they will point you the right direction.

 

I agree with that. I got a lot of info on 3reef on my bulb order and reefgeek.com also gave me some pointers too when I ordered.

 

OK, I think ive got it. Are these the bulbs you are suggesting Night-Rida?

2x 39W 12000K Actinic White (50/50) T5 HO Fluorescent
2x 39W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent

They are $21.95ea., for a total of $96.75 with shipping and handling. Does this sound about right? And I just want to make sure... in your opinion, this will not give my tank that blue look?

 

Go with a LED set up man they rock!!
I have a 100 bulb PFO aquatics 48" light that makes my **** grow like weeds and color is amaziing and the best part " MY LIGHT BILL IS ONLY 10$ A MONTH FROM IT!" lol

 

well your used to the stock odyssea bulbs. so let me try to explain what you currently have in more detail. IMHO

odyseea actinics = real blue bulbs not true actinics from my past experience
odyssea 12k = really yellowish wouldnt even call them 10k..

when all your bulbs are on the blue counteracts the yellow and makes a white light you like.

I suggest 1 ATI blue plus over uvl 454 (not listed on website) because they have great PAR ratings over anyother blue bulb out there.

My final suggestion would be either:
1 uvl 10k aquasun (white/good par/your clam will like this)
1 ati blue plus (nice blue,good par)
1 uvl super actinic (nice glow/purpish)
1 uvl 75.25 14k aquablue (pink bulb/good par)


all of these bulbs touch a little bit in different ranges in the color spectrum giving you a nice white with all lights on, and nice actinic effect for dawn and dusk. Steve's recommends giessman bulbs which are also great..

basically with T5's ATI,GIESSMAN, and UVL bulbs are the best. IMHO

this above is just my recommendations, you can do further research on the "T5 thread" with people pictures of there tanks w/ there light combos.

either way whatever combo you go with it will be a great upgrade to your stock bulbs, your corals will love you long time.

this thread below will help you see what light combos look like.. its long but very informational..

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/t5-bulb-combinations-w-pictures-59447.html

also even if you get 4 bulbs and its a little off for your exact taste, usally just changing 1 bulb with something more in your preference will make a difference. also recommend you change 2 bulbs and wait a few days to change the other 2, because you'll shock your corals doing all 4 at once.

 

and just for reference: this is my tank will all my lights on:

UVL 12k actinic
ATI BLue Plus
UVL 14k 75.25
UVL 454nm

 

Ok Nite-rida, thank you, and everyone else who responded. After going thru that thread you linked, the bulbs you suggest should fit the bill for what I am looking for. Hopefully my tank wont freak out with all the new par they are being bombarded with. I really do appreciate all the help.

 

no problem.. just take some before and after pictures for us to see..