t5 retrofit

[jettster]

I currently have 2 65 watt cf one 10k one actenic, I am going to add 2 39 watt 36 inch t5s. I was looking at a retrofit from hello lights that said ho (I assume high output) MY questions are, do I want high output or normal? do I want both t5s to be 10k and use my cf for actenics or one of each and which bulb on the list are better than the others thanks for the info in advance

 

[ct_vol]

Ho Ho Ho... Tis the season to be jolly... I prefer High Output... But some tend to think I go a bit overboard on lighting...

 

[fishdoc11]

If it's T5's you want high output. When using flourescent bulbs I like half in the 10K 14K (usually 12K) range and one true atinic and one atinic that is more blue........so half atinic and half 10K - 14K.

 

[jettster]

good deal any brand of bulb just the bomb

 

[fishdoc11]

ATI are good bulbs. I like the UVL atinics and 50/50's but some have had bad luck with the t5 version, I have had good luck with them. Geisman (sp?) are also supposed to be good bulbs I think.

 

[GPhiAce]

Are you just going to run the 2 t5s???? I have heard great things about the Geissman, ATI, and KZ bulbs. I am also trying to decide on which will be my next bulbs for actinic supplementation, and those were repeatedly recommended. If you are going with only 2 bulbs, then a 10k-14k bulb and a blue/purple bulb seem to be what is preferred for a combo because of the appearance, color and growth that you wil get. There are a ton of threads in the lighting forum if you have time to read. For me, I just listen to Randy and Chris.

 

[jettster]

Paul I am adding 2 t5 to go with 2 pc for now and will replace the pc later with 2 more t5s and I agree with asking Randy or Chris or others for that matter its quicker than reading and you know where the opinions are coming from I hate to buy something and find out I bought the wrong thing

 

[ct_vol]

Really Bulb selection is all a matter of personal preference... Geisemann, ATI, and KZ are all really nice bulbs... Some people say they don't get the PAR out of KZ fiji purples, but that doesn't matter quite as much in shorter tanks...

I have gone through countless different bulb combos between MH's, VHO's, and T5's... Right now over my 120g, I have 2xRadium 250w's, 2x54w Geisemann Aquablue +, and 2x54w KZ Fiji Purples...

If you check in the SPS forum or Lighting forum, you will come up with countless other opinions on what bulb combos people run... When I had the 8x54w fixture over my 75g, I tried at least a dozen different combos... Now they have 12 bulb fixtures, which is just insane to me...

Bottom line is, you have to just try the bulbs people recommend, and then adjust according to what appeals to your eye... I know I'll be trying something different next time I buy a bulb... lol