Please give your T5HO opinion.

[WmTasker]

I am looking at setting up a 56 gallon aquarium. Since I cannot find a good 30 inch T5HO fixture, I am going to make a canopy with a 6 bulb retro kit in it. I am planning on getting one from ReefGeek and I have the choice between 3 manufacturers.

1. IceCap
2. AquaIlluminations
3. Sunlight Supply

Which setup do you prefer? Please give me you opinions on the reflector and ballast. Does anyone know the ballast manufacturer?


I am also kind of confused on the many different types of bulbs. ReefGeek has 5 different manufacturers and each has about 5 different bulb kelvin. The last time I had an aquarium, I had a IceCap 660 with 2 actinics and 2 white bulbs. Not much other selection to choose from.

1. Please give opinion on how you would pick six bulbs.
2. What is the difference between actinic, actinic plus, fiji purple and just blue.
3. Which is the best manufacturer?
4. Are any bulbs longer lasting than others.
5. Does the bulb get more blue the higher the kelvin?
6. Can you have too much blue?

Thanks for your input.

 

[rtparty]

http://home.comcast.net/~stevelarsen00/site/?/home/

That is a great place to start. You will earn everything you have asked.

Go with the Aqua Illuminations setup. They all use the same ballasts. The High Output ballast is usually the AccuStart which is a great ballast. The VHO system use Ice Cap ballasts that overdrive the bulbs. No need to overdrive in your case though.

As far as what bulbs it depends on your taste. One of the most popular setups is 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White, and 1 GE 6500K.

 

[WmTasker]

http://home.comcast.net/~stevelarsen00/site/?/home/

That is a great place to start. You will earn everything you have asked.

Go with the Aqua Illuminations setup. They all use the same ballasts. The High Output ballast is usually the AccuStart which is a great ballast. The VHO system use Ice Cap ballasts that overdrive the bulbs. No need to overdrive in your case though.

As far as what bulbs it depends on your taste. One of the most popular setups is 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White, and 1 GE 6500K.

Wow ... that link is a great read. If only I had that link a few hours I wouldn't had to post this thread.

The only two bulbs that he doesn't talk about is ATI Pro Color and Giesemann Aqua Flora. Any thoughts on these bulbs. The Aqua Flora looks like it would have alot of PAR. I just don't know it these bulbs are more like daylight bulbs or 50/50 bulbs.

Thanks

 

[rtparty]

Wow ... that link is a great read. If only I had that link a few hours I wouldn't had to post this thread.

The only two bulbs that he doesn't talk about is ATI Pro Color and Giesemann Aqua Flora. Any thoughts on these bulbs. The Aqua Flora looks like it would have alot of PAR. I just don't know it these bulbs are more like daylight bulbs or 50/50 bulbs.

Thanks

Neither one have good PAR actually. The ATI Pro Color has been discontinued and the Gmann Aqua Flora is rarely seen in this hobby. I have seen it more in the FW planted stuff.

The ATI Pro Color, Gmann Aqua Flora and KZ Fiji Purple are all specialized bulbs. They fit the daylight category but all of them are pinkish. The Aqua Flora I have over a FW planted tank is really pink. Looks like a bottle of pepto.