T5 atinic question

[Arati]

My vho ballast must have finally died. I have a 2 bulb T5HO retro kit spare from another tank. I plan to replace the VHO system with the T5 syetm in my diy hood.

What T5 bulbs are closest to the anchient vho atinics I have now. not really looking for that super atinic look.

Thanks
Chris

 

[DarG]

The 420nm T5 super/pure/true actinics. Try the UVL or Giesemann brand. But they dont have the same, violet color. The T5's are more of a blue/violet.

 

[redfishsc]

Re: T5 atinic question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15512029#post15512029 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Arati


What T5 bulbs are closest to the anchient vho atinics I have now. not really looking for that super atinic look.

Thanks
Chris

I don't think you'll find anything that is all that close to the good old VHO actinic look.

Most folks love their Giesemann pure actinics, and I have a UVL Super actinic.


Either way, I'd use neither one of them. They both put out a lot less PAR than some of the true-blue 460nm tubes and some of the specialty tubes.


Personally I prefer a mix of (if all T5 and no MH) ATI Aquablue (12K), ATI Blue Plus (460nm) and one KZ Fiji Purple.

I prefer to keep a two-to-one ratio of the Blue Plus and Aquablue (more blue).

 

[Arati]

I just use the atinics for dusk and dawn. I was just trying get as close as possible to the colors I had. would it be the 03 atinic?


wow Red small world I am also a box builder

 

[DarG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15519770#post15519770 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Arati
I just use the atinics for dusk and dawn. I was just trying get as close as possible to the colors I had. would it be the 03 atinic?


wow Red small world I am also a box builder

I used VHO for years, I am using the VHO super actinics/03's right now for, mainly, dawn/dusk. I own and have used T5's as well. My light rack can use either T12 VHO or T5. I go back and forth between the T12 VHO super actinics and the T5 super actinics, depending on what halides I am using and how I am supplementing them.

The T5 UVL super actinic or Giesemann Pure actinic are two of the good (relative to T5's) 420nm T5 versions of the T12 VHO 03's that you are replacing. These will be the closest in color to your 03 VHO's. But again, they dont have as deep a violet color, more blue/violet. But it's as close as T5 gets.

I dont know what size you need but here is a link to the UVL at one of the good, RC sponsors sites ...

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=55_59_86&products_id=394