T5 Lighting help

racefan · 02/12/2010, 08:52 PM

I am tank sitting my sons 40 gal tank while he's away at college. He has a Glo Model A 3911 fixture(2 bulbs). I'm not sure of what bulbs are in it,they are about 8-10 months old. I'm thinking it's probably time to replace them. Can someone steer me in the right direction as to what bulbs I need.The tank is 24" deep. I assume I want a bulb with a high K rating? It's a softie only tank as far as corals go.

rtparty · 02/12/2010, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racefan

I am tank sitting my sons 40 gal tank while he's away at college. He has a Glo Model A 3911 fixture(2 bulbs). I'm not sure of what bulbs are in it,they are about 8-10 months old. I'm thinking it's probably time to replace them. Can someone steer me in the right direction as to what bulbs I need.The tank is 24" deep. I assume I want a bulb with a high K rating? It's a softie only tank as far as corals go.

ATI Blue Plus and ATI Aquablue

cindre2000 · 02/13/2010, 12:20 AM

Why do you think the bulbs need replacing? Are you getting more nuisance algae growth? Is coral growth slowing down?

You can probably go 12 months on those bulbs.

As for what bulbs to get, one white, one blue...

racefan · 02/13/2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindre2000

Why do you think the bulbs need replacing? Are you getting more nuisance algae growth? Is coral growth slowing down?

You can probably go 12 months on those bulbs.

As for what bulbs to get, one white, one blue...

Not really getting any nuisance algae, I added some Zoas & they are not opening up very well.Also we have a LFS that is more of a fresh water than salt & I think they may have just sold him whatever bulbs. While I'd LOVE to replace his fixture to one with more bulbs or MH. We have 2 kids in college right now & that's just not currently an option, so I'm trying to get the most light(or most effective light) out of his 2 bulb fixture.

cindre2000 · 02/14/2010, 05:26 PM

You probably have the Marine Glo and Power Glo bulbs by hagen; after all, it is a hagen fixture so the store has Hagen Bulbs.

The zoa is probably not exhibiting problems due to too little light. Too little light will be the zoa opening really big and stretching towards the light; as well as browning out.

You are probably good for another couple of months; or until coral growth is noticeably slower, or you start getting overrun by nuisance algae.

And then when you replace the bulbs I suggest getting a blue one and a white one. I will be trying out the Zoomed Brand soon; but I have used hagen's bulbs for the last year with good growth.

racefan · 02/19/2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

ATI Blue Plus and ATI Aquablue

I got these bulbs today. WOW! the difference is nothing short of amazing, It's like night & day. Thanks for the tip.

rtparty · 02/19/2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racefan

I got these bulbs today. WOW! the difference is nothing short of amazing, It's like night & day. Thanks for the tip.

No problem. Be careful with the new bulbs. The corals can have PAR shock and you will kill them. I would slowly acclimate the corals to the new bulbs. Maybe cut down the photo period a couple hours each day for a week or so and slowly ramp it back up.

racefan · 02/20/2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

No problem. Be careful with the new bulbs. The corals can have PAR shock and you will kill them. I would slowly acclimate the corals to the new bulbs. Maybe cut down the photo period a couple hours each day for a week or so and slowly ramp it back up.

I was kind of wondering about that.Will do, thanks

02/12/2010, 08:52 PM	#1
racefan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 123	T5 Lighting help I am tank sitting my sons 40 gal tank while he's away at college. He has a Glo Model A 3911 fixture(2 bulbs). I'm not sure of what bulbs are in it,they are about 8-10 months old. I'm thinking it's probably time to replace them. Can someone steer me in the right direction as to what bulbs I need.The tank is 24" deep. I assume I want a bulb with a high K rating? It's a softie only tank as far as corals go.

02/13/2010, 12:20 AM	#3
cindre2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 230	Why do you think the bulbs need replacing? Are you getting more nuisance algae growth? Is coral growth slowing down? You can probably go 12 months on those bulbs. As for what bulbs to get, one white, one blue...

02/14/2010, 05:26 PM	#5
cindre2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 230	You probably have the Marine Glo and Power Glo bulbs by hagen; after all, it is a hagen fixture so the store has Hagen Bulbs. The zoa is probably not exhibiting problems due to too little light. Too little light will be the zoa opening really big and stretching towards the light; as well as browning out. You are probably good for another couple of months; or until coral growth is noticeably slower, or you start getting overrun by nuisance algae. And then when you replace the bulbs I suggest getting a blue one and a white one. I will be trying out the Zoomed Brand soon; but I have used hagen's bulbs for the last year with good growth.