What type of T5HO bulbs should I get? Info And pic Included.

[InfernoST]

Hi all
I'm back with yet another question, 1st I'll supply the tank specs: 120 Gallon FOWLR (Cycling) 60x18x26 See photo below. 2nd = I purchased 2 250 watt parabolic reflectors with bulbs and ballasts, 4 T5HO single reflectors with waterproof caps and 1 ballast that will handle 1,2,3 or 4 54 watt T5HO bulbs but did not purchase the bulbs yet. I'm going to be building a custom hood and lighting scheme, for now I'm going to run the tank FOWLR and want to use the T5HO for now but plan on going to a reef down road (The reason for the MH lamps). I'm looking for recommendations on what T5HO bulbs I should purchase. I hope i provided enough information this time if not let me know.
Here is a picture of the tank in question. (The Nemo sticker my daughter put on the tank is going to be replaced with the real thing after the cycle completes. Thanx in advance for everyones help and continued support.

 

[melosu58]

I`m one of those that likes actinics but there are others that dont so we will see what they say. I use VHO`s so I`m not quite a T5 expert

 

[InfernoST]

I`m one of those that likes actinics but there are others that dont so we will see what they say. I use VHO`s so I`m not quite a T5 expert

That's cool, There should be enough info this time. What exactly is actinics?

 

[thincat]

This is what I use:
Again, recommended bulbs for a 4 bulb T5
unit would be:
Front:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[InfernoST]

This is what I use:
Again, recommended bulbs for a 4 bulb T5
unit would be:
Front:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

Thanks for the info, any particular Kelvin rating?

 

[thincat]

Aquasun is 10,000k, the rest is by name either 420 or 460,,

 

[InfernoST]

Tanks thincat.

 

[BigMike75]

No help on bulbs but the tank is looking good.....

 

[InfernoST]

Thanks man.

 

[JustOneMore20]

I don't have a sw tank....yet. But I've been researching bulb combos as well. These were recommended to me:

UVL Superactinics
UVL Actinic White (12000K)
UVL 75/25 (14000K)
ATI Blue
Aquablue
Fiji purple

One person recommended a combo of the first 3 and another recommended a combo of the last 3.

 

[InfernoST]

I don't have a sw tank....yet. But I've been researching bulb combos as well. These were recommended to me:

UVL Superactinics
UVL Actinic White (12000K)
UVL 75/25 (14000K)
ATI Blue
Aquablue
Fiji purple

One person recommended a combo of the first 3 and another recommended a combo of the last 3.

Thanx for you input, I'll investigate the bulbs you mentioned further. What's great is thincat recommended 2 of the types you mentioned. Thanx again.

 

[spikey]

It looks as though you have got the globe this done (Thincat hit it on the head). I am concerned how nemo is going in the tank while it is cycling??????

What do you feed him, it must be difficult to supply the exact nutritional requirements!

(for anyone that is reading this and have not worked it out, I am having a laugh; yes I know it is a sticker. I have a daughter that did a similar thing; and yes we had to pretend feed it).

 

[InfernoST]

It looks as though you have got the globe this done (Thincat hit it on the head). I am concerned how nemo is going in the tank while it is cycling??????

What do you feed him, it must be difficult to supply the exact nutritional requirements!

(for anyone that is reading this and have not worked it out, I am having a laugh; yes I know it is a sticker. I have a daughter that did a similar thing; and yes we had to pretend feed it).

LOL. We've tried everything in the house, he just wont eat. As i write this she is drawing up an anemone so marlin and nemo could have a nice home. Since I took the picture she has added the tank gang to the tank, it's getting crowded quickly. This tank better hurry up and cycle. Kids ROCK!!!!! This is awesome, now i can order the bulbs. Thanx spikey. How's the weather down under?

 

[spikey]

Well it has been quite cold for us (6-10c or 40-60f) it seems only 1 month ago that we were in 49c - 120f with the bush fires.

You know the big problem with your daughter choosing your tank. They just don't fit. My daughter wanted the gang nemo, so early on I knew they would not go so I started talking about changing the PBT for a yellow tang and scare for a copper band (not the same but she understood the change). Good luck, would love to be kept up to date with you progress and stocking decisions.

 

[melosu58]

I personally like the first three that Kristen mentioned.

 

[InfernoST]

I personally like the first three that Kristen mentioned.

How would you arrange those in a 4 bulb fixture?

 

[Innovator]

What kind of corals do you eventually want to keep and what effect are you going for? There is a vast array of bulbs that can allow you to pull off different effects.

ATI Blue Plus' are a standard so expect them to be in virtually every T5 bulb mixture.

 

[melosu58]

If it was me I would do 2 super actinics and 2 50/50 (actinic white) along with your MH bulbs but that`s just my personal preference. It basically boils down to what`s your preference.

 

[InfernoST]

You got it. Be good.

 

[InfernoST]

Well it has been quite cold for us (6-10c or 40-60f) it seems only 1 month ago that we were in 49c - 120f with the bush fires.

You know the big problem with your daughter choosing your tank. They just don't fit. My daughter wanted the gang nemo, so early on I knew they would not go so I started talking about changing the PBT for a yellow tang and scare for a copper band (not the same but she understood the change). Good luck, would love to be kept up to date with you progress and stocking decisions.

Hope the weather improves for you. We finally had 3 sunny days of 80+ degrees after entire month of rain in June. I'll post the tank stocking, i figure I'm about two weeks away from starting. Be good.