T5 bulb replacement

patsfan1130 · 06/10/2009, 06:04 AM

Hey guys,

I dont have much experience with T5 as I've always run MH. So I have an 8 bulb TEK fixture with bulbs that desperately need changing. It is over a 90g mixed reef.

anyway, the bulbs are due to arrive today. My original plan was to replace all of the bulbs at once and use some window screen over the course of a week or 2 to acclimate my livestock. Do you think this would be better than replacing a couple bulbs at a time?

Mark426 · 06/10/2009, 06:26 AM

IMO...either way accomplishes the same thing

Mike778922 · 06/10/2009, 06:42 AM

what bulb combination did you end up going with? Im getting the same fixture and Im trying to figure out what bulbs will look good.

patsfan1130 · 06/10/2009, 07:13 AM

From front to back

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE 6500 Daylight
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

I am fortunate enought to be a preferred customer at one of my local LFS and was able to play around with a TEK fixture and different bulb combinations. This will give me a 14-15k look and provide excellent growth.

Mike778922 · 06/10/2009, 07:25 AM

have you ever tried the fji purple bulbs? How is the coral color with that combination? I guess Im going for more color than growth and Im trying to figure out what bulbs bring out color.

patsfan1130 · 06/10/2009, 07:50 AM

I really love the color with the combo I went with. Unfortunately when I played with the different combos..it was not over a tank with corals, it was FO. the colors of the fish were quite stunning. I did try replacing the 2nd blue plus with a fiji purple. To my eye, I did not notice much of a difference with the colors of the fish. so I left it out. I have heard great things about those bulbs however. I believe they put out a great amount of par.

Mike778922 · 06/10/2009, 08:05 AM

Thats great that you got a chance to mix and match from the LFS. I think Im going to go with a similar combo as yours, but with a fiji purple or two for the pink and red corals. Thanks for your help.

06/10/2009, 06:04 AM	#1
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	T5 bulb replacement Hey guys, I dont have much experience with T5 as I've always run MH. So I have an 8 bulb TEK fixture with bulbs that desperately need changing. It is over a 90g mixed reef. anyway, the bulbs are due to arrive today. My original plan was to replace all of the bulbs at once and use some window screen over the course of a week or 2 to acclimate my livestock. Do you think this would be better than replacing a couple bulbs at a time? __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

06/10/2009, 07:13 AM	#4
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	From front to back Blue Plus Super Actinic GE 6500 Daylight Blue Plus UVL Aquasun Blue Plus Aquablue Blue Plus I am fortunate enought to be a preferred customer at one of my local LFS and was able to play around with a TEK fixture and different bulb combinations. This will give me a 14-15k look and provide excellent growth. __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef Last edited by patsfan1130; 06/10/2009 at 07:20 AM.

06/10/2009, 07:50 AM	#6
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	I really love the color with the combo I went with. Unfortunately when I played with the different combos..it was not over a tank with corals, it was FO. the colors of the fish were quite stunning. I did try replacing the 2nd blue plus with a fiji purple. To my eye, I did not notice much of a difference with the colors of the fish. so I left it out. I have heard great things about those bulbs however. I believe they put out a great amount of par. __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

06/10/2009, 06:26 AM	#2
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	IMO...either way accomplishes the same thing

06/10/2009, 06:42 AM	#3
Mike778922 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Troy, New York Posts: 59	what bulb combination did you end up going with? Im getting the same fixture and Im trying to figure out what bulbs will look good.

06/10/2009, 07:25 AM	#5
Mike778922 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Troy, New York Posts: 59	have you ever tried the fji purple bulbs? How is the coral color with that combination? I guess Im going for more color than growth and Im trying to figure out what bulbs bring out color.

06/10/2009, 08:05 AM	#7
Mike778922 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Troy, New York Posts: 59	Thats great that you got a chance to mix and match from the LFS. I think Im going to go with a similar combo as yours, but with a fiji purple or two for the pink and red corals. Thanks for your help.