T5 bulb selection help needed...

[PAS Photography]

Hello all, I was wondering with all the lightning gurus if someone could suggest the best bulb selection for what I am wanting.

I have a 36" tank Im setting up as a Zoanthid propagation tank. I have a (2) two bulb T5 fixtures (4 bulbs total) and want to know what eveyone has had the best success with. I was thinking one 10K, two 460 actinics and one 420 actinic. One fixture set up to run from 8am to 10pm with a 460 and 420 actinic, the other fixture to run from 10am to 8pm with the 10k and 460 actinic.

If anyone has a better lightning scheme it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
paul

[Mark75]

All the answers are in this thread, it is some good reading as far as T5 bulb selection goes.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1169341

[barbra]

The setup as you describe it should do nicely for what you plan to grow.

[PrivateJoker64]

I have a TEK four tube 36" fixture over my 46bf, and it's time to change the tubes. I just noticed, however, that in addition to the 39w tubes, like I now have, there are also URI Variable - high output tubes rated 39w-60w, and VHO tubes rated at 95w.
With the stock TEK fixture, are there advantages / disadvantages to using these higher rated tubes? Should I just use the ones rated 39w?
BTW, I have a mixed reef - everything from zoas to acans to acros, and have been using a combination of

Pure Actinic
Midday
Actinic +
Pure Actinic

But I recently changed the Actinic + to an Aquablue, and I like the color better.
I am (so far) planning to go with

Aquablue
Aquasun
Aquasun
Aquablue

and get a spare Super Actinic and an Actinic + so I can fool around with them.
What do you all think?

[barbra]

Originally posted by PrivateJoker64
I have a TEK four tube 36" fixture over my 46bf, and it's time to change the tubes. I just noticed, however, that in addition to the 39w tubes, like I now have, there are also URI Variable - high output tubes rated 39w-60w, and VHO tubes rated at 95w.
With the stock TEK fixture, are there advantages / disadvantages to using these higher rated tubes? Should I just use the ones rated 39w?
BTW, I have a mixed reef - everything from zoas to acans to acros, and have been using a combination of

Pure Actinic
Midday
Actinic +
Pure Actinic

But I recently changed the Actinic + to an Aquablue, and I like the color better.
I am (so far) planning to go with

Aquablue
Aquasun
Aquasun
Aquablue

and get a spare Super Actinic and an Actinic + so I can fool around with them.
What do you all think?

I am not sure about the specifics of that Tek fixture, but usually an HO or VHO bulb will not fit into an NO end cap, they have different connectors.

I like your bulb combo myself, and it should be fine. Is your tank FOWLR as well?

[PrivateJoker64]

Originally posted by barbra
I am not sure about the specifics of that Tek fixture, but usually an HO or VHO bulb will not fit into an NO end cap, they have different connectors.

I like your bulb combo myself, and it should be fine. Is your tank FOWLR as well?

I didn't know the ends were different. In the old T-12's, they were the same.
This TEK is advertised as High Output, not VHO. I guess the newer ones won't fit.