t5's and NO fluorescents

sea student · 10/24/2006, 08:00 PM

I have asked a similar question and got some good help on the mushrooms board, but would like more opinions. I have a 90 gallon with a 3 bulb NO strip. I am thinking of adding a 2 bulb 54w retrofit kit of T5's What would you think of running 10,000k bulbs in the t5 and three actinics in the NO fixture? This is similar to what was suggested except on the T5's, a 10K and 6,500 were rec'd. Any other tips?

mr_timluu · 10/25/2006, 01:54 AM

im kinda doing something that too, i have 2 10k NO's and 1 T5HO actinic, i think its best to run the sytem with the t5's as the actinics and the NO as 10k's, the actinic NO's lose their spectrum faster than they would if they were T5's, 10ks work well as NO's, at least thats what im doing, either way i think its probably just best to switch everything out for a full T5HO setup with individual reflectors, the NO's will take up quite a bit of space, just my opinion, good luck.

TearDrop · 10/25/2006, 10:20 AM

I would just replace the NO's with T-5's. The T-5's are much better performers and is worth the transition.

sea student · 10/25/2006, 05:19 PM

Okay, I'm getting rid of my trusty NO fixture. I'm thinking a four bulb fixture w/ 2 aquablue and 2 blue plus. I'll be new to T5's so I'm open to and welcome any advice. Thanks!

10/24/2006, 08:00 PM	#1
sea student Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 297	t5's and NO fluorescents I have asked a similar question and got some good help on the mushrooms board, but would like more opinions. I have a 90 gallon with a 3 bulb NO strip. I am thinking of adding a 2 bulb 54w retrofit kit of T5's What would you think of running 10,000k bulbs in the t5 and three actinics in the NO fixture? This is similar to what was suggested except on the T5's, a 10K and 6,500 were rec'd. Any other tips?

10/25/2006, 01:54 AM	#2
mr_timluu Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Garden Grove Posts: 332	im kinda doing something that too, i have 2 10k NO's and 1 T5HO actinic, i think its best to run the sytem with the t5's as the actinics and the NO as 10k's, the actinic NO's lose their spectrum faster than they would if they were T5's, 10ks work well as NO's, at least thats what im doing, either way i think its probably just best to switch everything out for a full T5HO setup with individual reflectors, the NO's will take up quite a bit of space, just my opinion, good luck.

10/25/2006, 10:20 AM	#3
TearDrop Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 170	I would just replace the NO's with T-5's. The T-5's are much better performers and is worth the transition.

10/25/2006, 05:19 PM	#4
sea student Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 297	Okay, I'm getting rid of my trusty NO fixture. I'm thinking a four bulb fixture w/ 2 aquablue and 2 blue plus. I'll be new to T5's so I'm open to and welcome any advice. Thanks!