Best T5 lamps

[David Grigor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7719826#post7719826 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Snprhed
Ok this is off topic somewhat, but you guys should be able to help. I am getting ready to change out a dual 400w Hqi ballast running single ended Reeflux 20k bulbs with a 8 bulb t5 ho system on my 75. How much should I worry about light acclimation? The T5's should have a lower output, but in different spectrums (the system is a mix of actinic and daylights). I know the corals are used to a lot of light, but if they are receiving quite a bit of light in different spectrums is that harmful? It seems like it very well could be.

Thanks for the input.

For the reasons you state you still want to acclimate. Even if to the eye it looks about the same, our eyes cannot detect spectrum shifts.

I once was using 400W 20K Radium for several years, I swapped out with the 400w 20K Coralvue ( they have since changed the recipe for those bulbs ) and even though it looked very close to the human eye there was a big peak in the spectrum unequal to any other MH out there so had real trouble with acclimating and did loose or badly damage some large mature SPS colonies as a result.

 

[milkshake]

David...in your opinion, is the Coralvue better? or are you saying the Radiums?

 

[hitsek2004]

hey guys...
2 questions please. my tank is mixed coral (mostly lps. and soft) and some of these corals i have them about 4 years.
but i dont see any growth really. they are alive & healthy but not growing.is that normal? my lights are 4 t5 in jbl's hang from the ceiling.in what distance do u guys have the t5s from the surface?
i use 4 marine white 15000k and i added 2 t8 blue actinic.
your opinion please
TIA

 

[nemo g]

without knowing which lps and softies to which you are referring, it would be hard to give you a diagnosis.

first off, many lps are notorious slow growers as well as some softies. so this may be your main issue. if not, look to water quality, as some of the aforementioned corals desire nutrient laiden water while others need a stable source of calcium and the like.

make a list of the corals you have, and do some diligent work on what they require to thrive. theres nothing like haveing a few quality books to rely on rather than reading posts and threads that are mostly conjecture.

 

[David Grigor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7724161#post7724161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by milkshake
David...in your opinion, is the Coralvue better? or are you saying the Radiums?

My experience with the Coralvue was with their first generation one. It had known problems. I ran Radiums for about 4 years. I consider 400W 20K Radiums and the 400W XM 20K to be pretty equal. Radiums a little whiter using HQI or Sungro ballasts but both pretty equal. Bulb life also pretty comparable.