Lighting Question

[rgpennell]

I have orderd a new light that should be here in about a week or so. It is to go on a 120G (48x24x24) which currently has a T5 setup on it (8x54w - 4x10k and 4xactinics). The new setup will be 2x250w HQI DE MH and quad T5s (2x54w on each side). I have already have 2 Phoenix 14k bulbs for the MHs but I am curious what to do for the T5s. I had originally planned on going with all blue actinics but since the MHs are 14k should I go with go with something less blue? 2x10k and 2xblue actinics? Something else entirely? Any thoughts?

Thanks

Rob

[Bushong87]

i wouldnt do anything until you get the light in and see how you like it, i went from 10 to 14 cuz of the look but i had no supplements. some bulbs will lose their blue look after awhile. you might want to just try what you got and then decide whether or not you want a different look.

[sirreal63]

With the 14k bulbs you may not need any supplementation, if anything you may want to tone down the color with T5 10k bulbs. You will have to see how it looks after you get it set up.

[mjpelikan]

What extra parts are you going to be left with?

[beaker77]

If you're going to sell the t5 setup, I would be interested too.

[Lost His Marbles Name]

It depends. If you go with the 14K the actinic might not even make a differance. If you go 10K and the actinics it might have a nice blue hue to it. It is what you would like. I went to Gateway Aquatics and after looking at the 14k lights there I went home to my 4-400w 10K AB and 2-140W actincs and thought the corals and tank looked more on the yellow side. I might change to 14K next time I buy lights. Thereefstop has good deals on Reflectors and bulbs. Do you like the output of the T-5 lights?

[rgpennell]

The T5s put out some pretty good light but I wanted to be able to grow some SPS and I felt that the T5s weren't going to be enough. I also really like the shimmer effect you get with the MHs.

As for extra lighting when I'm done - yes I will be happy to sell my current setup to whoever is interested.

Incidentally, when I purchased my T5 setup it took awhile to get here so I called and chewed them out for the delay. Anyway, whether it was because of that or just some other mix up they accidentally sent me an extra setup. When I called and spoke to them about it they told me to send it back but I refused to pay for shipping it back on my nickel so they said they would have the carrier pick it up at my office - after 6 weeks I decided they weren't actually going to have it picked up so I took it home and cannibalized it. Bottom line, if their is someone out there that knows anything about electicity and wiring these lights I will be happy to give them a good deal on the second unit which is missing two of the four ballasts - you can either remove four sets of endcaps to make a four bulb unit or round up two more ballasts and go with the eight bulb unit. I would probably go with just the four but get four individual reflectors as that will give you alot of light. This unit most likely won't have any bulbs as I will be using them elsewhere. Just let me know if anyone is interested.

Just let me know what you think.

Rob

[trottman]

for T5's get a 1:1 ratio of aquablues and bluepluses. it will give you a nice 20k-14k look and will have the best PAR possible. if you wanna see what the color looks like i will post a pic of my tank upon request.

[Letmegrow]

Post a new one trottman.

[chadfarmer]

lets see your also letmegow

are you and trottman brothers

[trottman]

here is a pic of my tank with 1:1 ratio. the colors are better in real life and the blue is not as dull, it is a more poping neon blue.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/trotreef/tank9.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/trotreef/riccoll2.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/trotreef/riccoll.jpg

and my duster collection :)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/trotreef/duster.jpg




here is what the blueplus's look like at night. i could not get a full tank shot because it is still daytime. but youll get the idea

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/trotreef/blulight.jpg

[trottman]

if we were brothers, then he would not have any spiders. mom would not allow it.