t5 bulbs

[AdeptMrSniffles]

I've been considering changing my t5 bulbs (4x24). I've read that it's a "night and day" difference from the bulbs that come with the sundial fixture. Is this true? The only other bulbs I could see picking up are the Giesemann. For all those with t5 fixtures, what is your setup? Just interested in seeing what other people are running.

 

[Rcpilot]

I have a Catalina fixture on my 30g tank. It has (6) bulbs @ 24w each

I started out with the cheap chinese bulbs that came with the fixture:
(3) 10k
(3) actinic

I switched to:
(2) 12k
(1) 10k
(2) actinic
(1) 460nm

The new bulbs are a mixture of UV Lighting, Geissman and Current. It's all they had at the LFS.

MAJOR change in color. Corals are much brighter now. A lot deeper and richer colors now. It doesn't really look that much different than before, but that small change of adding (2) 12k instead of the 10k and changing one actinic for the 460 -- WOW!! :^:

 

[project5k]

whats a 460? is that one of the UV ones?

 

[AdeptMrSniffles]

A 460 is a deeper blue than the 420 actinic. The actinics simulate deep depth lights. I believe that it'll provide more florescence in the coral.

I read the zooanthellae in the coral need more light in the 500nm range. I'm guessing 12K is better than 10K in this respect?

 

[Rcpilot]

6500k = yellow = think incandescent light
10k = white
12k = white/blue
14k = blue/white
Actinic = 16k +/- = blue
20k = blue/purple = 460nm

 

[daugherty]

i have
4-ati blue plus
1 ge 6500k
2- ati aquablue special
1- uvl 75/25