T5 Lights on 55G

[halo_jmpr]

I am fixing to order a 4-light hood and I need to know what bulbs would be best suitable for my tank. I am planning on going SPS and LPS eventually. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Entropy]

What color are you looking for? I suggest one Sun/daylight, one aquablue, and two blue plus if you like bluish.

 

[halo_jmpr]

I guess I'm looking for whatever works best and looks the best with the SPS and LPS.

 

[Entropy]

That is a tough call. I think the combo I suggest looks the best, but that is completely up to your eyeballs. For all out growth (and damn the looks) I would just go with all daylight bulbs.

 

[halo_jmpr]

What is the normal life cycle of these bulbs??? 6 Months? a year??

 

[jayke]

I was told the average lifespan of t5 bulbs is 18 months to 2 years. That is one of the attractive features of using them.

 

[Entropy]

I would suggest 18 months. One year if you want to be aggressive, two years if you want to push it to the limit.

 

[Horace]

Though the bulbs do last up to two years or longer, there is data to show that there is significant spectrum shift after a year. If you overdrive them that happens even sooner.