Been out of the game too long...

[coral_reefer_25]

Hey guys and gals...

I've been MIA for a long while now, but I'm still here with my little 30g reef. It's time to replace the T5 bulbs, and I wondered what anyone could recommend as a good replacement bulb. I have a 24-inch Current USA Sundial rig that has two 10K and two actinics. I bought it from Marine Depot, but they don't seem to have the 24-inch bulbs on their site.

 

[eyebedam]

Whassup man long time no see. For bulbs this is what I really like the look of & the par is good.

Ati blue plus
KZ Fiji Purple
UV Lighting 24" 24W 10000K AquaSun T5
ATI blue Plus.

I replaced my bulbs & got them from Aquarium Specialty. I had them in 2 days.

Also just a FYI I was in Petco the other day & all there coralife bulbs/T5s were 50% off & they did have 24 in bulbs in stock if you wanna go that route.

 

[gflat65]

Hey Ryan. Good to see you are still in it.

I use reefgeek for my MH and T5's. Greg has a great selection and pretty good prices.

The bulbs Jason listed above are some of the ones I use regularly. Geismann are what I run the most of, but I mix in some ATI blue+, ATI aquablue Spezial's, and the Korallen Zucht Fiji Purple's.

 

[NeveSSL]

Good to see ya, Ryan!

I also get my T5s from ReefGeek. Mention MTRC and you'll get a discount, too. The discount depends on how much you spend.

I think Jason pretty much nailed it on the head with his selection. I would probably do maybe a UVL 75/25 in place of one of the ATI Blue Plus bulbs just because I prefer a bit whiter look, but that's just me.

Personally, I run an ATI Blue Plus, ATI AquaBlue Special, UVL Super Actinic, and a UVL 75/25. Its a 12k-14k look. Could be a little bluer, but I'm happy with it overall.

Oh, and I still have that clown you sold me 3 years ago! Shes in my brother's tank now. She's gotta be like 7 or 8 years old at this point.

Brandon

Brandon

 

[coral_reefer_25]

Thanks for the help guys...I really appreciate it. I'll check out ReefGeek. I'm not sure there's a Petco near me.

Can you guys recommend the best color combination of bulbs? There's 4 that need to be replaced.

Brandon, that's awesome that you still have that clown! Very cool...glad she went to a good home.

 

[eyebedam]

Good to see ya, Ryan!

I also get my T5s from ReefGeek. Mention MTRC and you'll get a discount, too. The discount depends on how much you spend.

I think Jason pretty much nailed it on the head with his selection. I would probably do maybe a UVL 75/25 in place of one of the ATI Blue Plus bulbs just because I prefer a bit whiter look, but that's just me.

Personally, I run an ATI Blue Plus, ATI AquaBlue Special, UVL Super Actinic, and a UVL 75/25. Its a 12k-14k look. Could be a little bluer, but I'm happy with it overall.



Brandon

Ryan/Brandon

Running the 10k will eliminate the major blue look. If you wanna run the uvl 75/25 do it in place of the 10k. I almost suggested that instead but saw where you are already running 10k bulbs so I left it as is. When I ordered my bulbs I checked numerous places. Aquarium speciality was the best overall price by far after factoring in all total cost. I've heard great things about reefgeek as well but it was almost 40.00 higher total cost after shipping than anywhere else I looked.

Jason

 

[coral_reefer_25]

Ryan/Brandon

Running the 10k will eliminate the major blue look. If you wanna run the uvl 75/25 do it in place of the 10k. I almost suggested that instead but saw where you are already running 10k bulbs so I left it as is. When I ordered my bulbs I checked numerous places. Aquarium speciality was the best overall price by far after factoring in all total cost. I've heard great things about reefgeek as well but it was almost 40.00 higher total cost after shipping than anywhere else I looked.

Jason

So...you think a couple of UVL 75/25s and a couple of UVL super actinics will be a nice combination?

 

[eyebedam]

So...you think a couple of UVL 75/25s and a couple of UVL super actinics will be a nice combination?

I'm thinking using 2 ati blue plus for actnics, 1 KZ Fiji Purple for a nice pop with the reds & oranges & 1 either 10k or the 75/25 will give u a crisp clean look.

 

[coral_reefer_25]

Dang those German bulbs are expensive...

Thanks for the help y'all...I placed my order.

 

[eyebedam]

What did ya get & where from?

 

[coral_reefer_25]

I'm thinking using 2 ati blue plus for actnics, 1 KZ Fiji Purple for a nice pop with the reds & oranges & 1 either 10k or the 75/25 will give u a crisp clean look.

That...with the 75/25

 

[eyebedam]

Your gonna be pleased.

 

[coral_reefer_25]

Cool! I'm looking forward to it. Now I gotta get my water parameters under control. My corals are starting to bleach out...

 

[NeveSSL]

Sorry about that, Jason! I missed the 10k bulb you mentioned somehow.

I agree, Ryan... I think that will be a great combo.

Brandon

 

[coral_reefer_25]

Got my bulbs in....that combination sure is BLUE....my leather isn't opening up like it used to.
I think I might stick one of my 10Ks back in there and see what happens.

 

[eyebedam]

The corals may need to reacclimate to the increased par being put out by the new bulbs. Also how do you have them placed in your fixture ( what order are they in)?

 

[coral_reefer_25]

With position 1 being toward the front of the tank, 1 and 3 have the ATI Blue Plus. 2 is the 75/25, and 4 is the Fiji purple....although, those two may be reversed.

1&3 are on the same switch
2&4 are on the same switch

 

[eyebedam]

Change 3&4 & c what it looks like.