T5s Q&A

18,000k is more blue.... I have never heard of an 18,000k bulb in any lighting type but thats not to say they don't exist.. What brand is it do you know?
All bulbs mentioned will do fine in a reef tank, it will just be a more blue/violet reef tank, thats all!

Happy lighting!

 

It was a marine glo. I noticed these lighting fixtures starting to pop up at LFS but was never interested in them as the ones they have only ever have 2 54w t5's in them. but they make there own bulbs also so far I have seen a 420nm, 10000k, and a 18000k from them (locally).
here I found a link to the 18000k one.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...AA&srccode=cii_13736960&cpncode=23-23808266-2
I am using there blue attinic for now until I get my replacement bulbs that are on back order.

 

Oh, the Hagen Glo's.... Yeah the 2 bulb aspect is a pain, wondering if they will come out with multiple bulb units....

Happy lighting

 

doc if you were on a budget of 400.00 what would you buy for a 90 gal reef tank. planning to go polyps and fish at first then moving on to lps and sps as i get xp.

 

Well I'm not the Doc, I just got finished building a canopy for my 125 and used 6 x 80W T5 bulbs. Total build cost was a little over $500 So I'm pretty sure you could build a canopy with 6 x 54W T5 for around $400. You would only need 2 ballast at around 40 each, the 6 bulbs at 20 each, reflectors 20 each, end caps 10 each set, standoffs 5 each set, comes up to 410 for the light setup. Then around 50 in wood to build the canopy. This will look the best and provide the most light for the money IMO.

If you want a pre-built fixture I would go with the Nova Extreme Pro 6 x 54w for around $350 decent build quality and has individualy contoured reflector ( not as good as individual reflectors) but is probably the best you are going to get under $400. I have the 36" model on my 46 bowfront and it has served me well.

 

I am getting a 12000k uvl bulb thats 50/50 and I wondering because its 50/50 will it be less par then my 10000k? I planed on replacing one of the 10000k with it but if it is less par then should I replace it with one of the attinics and leave both the 10000k in?

 

i already got a hood so im good on that. where can i buy ballest for 40?

 

Workhorse 7 ballast by Fulham. Will drive up to 4 bulbs at 220W total. So you could technicaly run 4 x 54W off one ballast, but I would just do 3 and 3 if your going with a 6 x 54W setup.

This is where I ordered mine from.
1000bulbs.com

 

Yes, it does have less PAR value. The UVL 10,000K daylight bulb is approximately 345 PAR while the White Actinic, (50/50) has about 293 PAR value. If you replace it with one of the actinics, you will have a much whiter/daylight looking tank compared to a bluer tank. If you want that look, then it will be fine, if you want a bluer look then it won't give it to you.

 

Nice call! Except I would instead of buying the Nova I would look for a Tek, or heck a used one if you want to save the money. OR save the money until you can get a fixture with INDIVIDUAL reflectors, it is worth the cost!!
6 bulbs would be VERY bright in your tank, easily capable of SPS

Happy lighting!