t5 color question

[ol'saltybastage]

what's the difference in a Blue / Blue+ / actinic. I know what actinic looks like but am trying to figure out bulb combo's for a 6 lamp setup.

I like crisp crisp white with a hint of blue light. Sauteed over a butter garlic sauce with a sprig of fresh spring asparagus on the side.

like you get from a 50/50 pc bulb

 

[mpcart]

The aquablue is an 11k bulb - a very "crisp white". The actinic is purple and doesn't shine very bright. The blue plus is a strong blue and good for the "actinic" look.

If you want white with a hint of blue I'd run either 3:3 or 4:2 aquablue:blue+

Here's a pic of mine. The actinic is on the bottom. The yellow lamps are the sun's.

-Mike

 

[ol'saltybastage]

okay so maybe something like this in the following order

Blue+
aquablue
sun - for growth?
aquablue
aquablue
blue+

do yo think not having the 6500k sun lamp will make growth noticeably slower?

 

[beaker77]

I wouldn't get a "sun" bulb, the Geismann 11k Aquablue has the highest PAR rating in the T5 market right now.

 

[JustFin]

I just replaced my GE sun-type bulb with another aquablue- didn't like the yellow color it gave- made corals that looked good in the store look more brown/washed out- I'd rather have beautiful corals that grow slower

So I'd go with aquablue's and actinics- I have LPS/soft corals so 3:3 ratio is good for me- if you are going SPS I would go 4-aquablue:2-actinic

 

[ol'saltybastage]

good to hear. i'm looking online right now. i want the tek style reflectors as i hear thats the only way to go. i've checked hellolights, thereefstop.. and a few others. anyone have suggestions?

 

[mpcart]

www.reefgeek.com

-Mike

 

[Fade]

Reefgeek is hard to beat thats where my parents got there's.

 

[ol'saltybastage]

reefgeek wants 309.00 but they come with 3 free 6500k bulbs =24.00 shipping (the 6500k's are no use to me)
total: 333.00

thereefstop wants 274.00 but no bulbs. =39.88 shipping
total: 324.00

hellolights wants 299.00 no bulbs = 19.95 shipping
total: 320.00

 

[ol'saltybastage]

well just ordered my setup. looking forward to seeing what these baby's can do.

 

[mpcart]

What did you order? I assumed you were looking for a 6 lamp retro setup - those run >$440.

-Mike

 

[ol'saltybastage]

I was going to go with a retro setup and build a hood but then I saw the retro kits cost more then the fixtures.. so i ended up ordering a 6 lamp fixture from thereefstop.com after i did all my calculations it ended up being cheapest.

104.99 for a two bulb retro kit x 3
or 274.00 for a 6 lamp fixture.

 

[ol'saltybastage]

just found a great link that compares MH to t5's
http://www.pacdist.com/HO T5 Vs HID_files/frame.htm

mh Vs. T5

 

[d_icemand]

so when you order, can you pick the bulbs you want in the lamp fixture setup??

i went to the website and checked it out. it states "(Bracket/Leg Support System also available.) " So do you have to pay extra for the bracket leg support system and do you plan to set yours up like that or enclose it into a hood?

Just curious on how you are going to set it all up.

 

[beaker77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7619875#post7619875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d_icemand
so when you order, can you pick the bulbs you want in the lamp fixture setup??

i went to the website and checked it out. it states "(Bracket/Leg Support System also available.) " So do you have to pay extra for the bracket leg support system and do you plan to set yours up like that or enclose it into a hood?

Just curious on how you are going to set it all up.

Prices are for the fixture only. Bulbs, hanging kit/bracket are extra. If you want T5's in a hood your should go with a retro kit. I'd prefer to pick my bulbs rather that have someone pick the bulbs for me, that that way you get the exact color you want.

 

[ol'saltybastage]

yeah, there are a few setups that come with the bulbs but i agree with brian i'd rather pick my bulbs..although it would be nice if the prices above included that.

bulbs run around 20 each. on top of the fixture. mounting legs are like 55. so it adds up pretty quick