Which Bulbs For This Fixture?

[Rcpilot]

I'm sick of my PC lights already. I'm buying this:

TX5 Series Aquactinics 24" 5 lamp T5 fixture - no lamps: Premium Aquatics

It holds 5 bulbs. What spectrum and how many of each should I get? Where is a good place to buy bulbs? Who has the good selection? Who has the high quality bulbs? I'm not looking to save money on bulbs here, so point me to the good ones.

I just have zoas, polyps and mushrooms now--but thats about to change. I plan on getting some LPS for sure and maybe some SPS.

Thanks in advance.

[BigAl07]

I don't know if I am looking at it wrong or what but that seems expensive to NOT come with bulbs. Am I just missing something?

Allen

[Intranick]

I dont know, I keep hearing its more personal choice what bulbs to get..

maybe get yourself two actinic and three daylight?

[Rcpilot]

No, you're not looking at it wrong. It's expensaive.

But, it's got 5 bulbs, instead of the usual 4 like a lot of T5 in the 24" size. I've been told that this is the cats meow of 24" lights in a T5 setup. The cooling fans are included.

Do you think I could get a light that was just as good for less money? I know that I can get these for the same price, but the bulbs are included. Fans are not included:
Catalina Aquarium

If I'm gonna do that--with 6 bulbs--might as well get the monster (8 bulbs) for another $100. No fans:
Catalina Aquarium

[BigAl07]

Oh yeah I now see that does have 5 bulbs.... It would be a tough decision there buddy. I like the other fixtures (Current Nova Extreme T-5) but they are only 4 bulbs. But they DO come with bulbs and included night lights (I have to admit after HAVING LED night lights I love them).

But if I were going a route OTHER than the Nova Extreme I'd pony up and get the 6 bulb set up... that's just me and I do tend to OVER do everything... just sometimes I buy THREE different light fixtures in 4 months for the same tank to get there.

Wish I was more help here but basically all I can do is interject more questions

Allen

[BigAl07]

If you get an "odd" # of bulbs I would have the odd bulb out be an addition Daylight just because of aesthetics. The Actinic doesn't do much for the viewer (you) and I think just having 2 actinics would be overly sufficient in that situation. When in doubt buy UP!

Allen

[Rcpilot]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

When in doubt buy UP!

Allen

Guess I'll get that 8 bulb unit, then.

[BigAl07]

Yeah I have to admit if I woke up in your shoes that's possibly what I'd do too.

I'm still planning on a Nova Extreme for my 90g tank. I just love the moonlights and other features of that fixture.

Allen

[Rcpilot]

I just talked to the folks at Catalina and the guy told me that 8 bulb unit was too much for my tank. He recommended the 6 bulb unit and told me, "Thats gonna be AWESOME on that 30g tank!"

I still like that TX5 unit from Premium Aquatics though. It'll end up costing me an additional $100 for the lights, but thats not too much.

What I'm really messed up about------ is the lighting colors. I think my current PC with 65w 10K and 65w actenic is too white-washed. It looks white or yellow in the tank. I'd prefer a little bit more blue. I was thinking of a 14k or even a 20k bulb in one spot.

[BigAl07]

I'd hold off on the 20K and just move up one step on the spectrum. Yes 10k can look yellow and "dingy" to some. Give it a try and let me know.

Allen

[Rcpilot]

I think I understand how the K numbers relate to lighting spectrum. Tell me if I'm correct or wrong.

10,000K seams white or yellowish to me.
20,000K seams about as blue as I'd ever want to see


If I have to buy 5 lights for this unit, whats going to be a good combination?

My tank is 24" deep and loaded with live rock. I want to be able to put a clam on the bottom. I am mostly doing zoas, polyps and shrooms right now. But, I'd like to move up to some LPS here pretty quick.

I'm thinking of using 2 of this pure Actinic 03:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...t_by_Giesemann

That leaves me 3 sockets.

2 of these:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...by_Gies emann

And one more. I don't know if I should use a 6500K daylight or a 10,000K.

Any suggestions?

[panmanmatt]

I'd go with the 6500K. It is a bit yellow but with the other bulbs you have you won't even notice it. The 6500K has one of the highest PAR readings for T5 bulbs.

[AQTCJAK]

I would opt for the 10,000K the 6,500K is really yellow & grow algae really fast

[Rcpilot]

Thanks Jack.

[AQTCJAK]

Anytime