Which T5HO bulbs do I choose?

Nano_reeflover · 04/01/2006, 08:41 PM

I will be done setting up my tank soon and next on my list of things to do is get the T5's. I plan on having 4x54w on my 60gal Seaclear. From this list, which bulbs should I choose to get a tank with a good white/blue ratio?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...?N=2004+113907

Thanks, Travis

dwdenny · 04/01/2006, 08:53 PM

Most will run the ATI/D&D bulbs from reefgeek that are now giessman(sp) if you want you can run 1 GE daylight with 1 aquablue and 2 blue+ and that will give a slight blue look with a bunch of PAR. I would add another aquablue to the order so that you can swap out bulbs until you get what you like. Then if you dont like the GE some will buy it.

reelfreak · 04/01/2006, 09:46 PM

I run the mix that dwdenny mentions, and I like the look....it is a very crisp, almost ice blue look. When ( and if ) the URI true actinic t5 ho bulb comes out I'm switching 1 blue+ bulb out for it.

And yes the PAR is quite strong w/ this combo. I got some monti cap frags from another reefer w/ MH lights and the caps turned white, they were green/purple rims. They have great PE but they are white, good growth and all just white...

My point is don't underestimate the strength of these lights....but the combo suggested is a good choice. HTH

Edit: heres a link to pics of the aforementioned lighting setup (geismann & GE)... T5 HO light pics.

These colors are fairly representative of how they look in person ( no photoshop, nothing ) pics straight from camera to irfanview....

Covey · 04/01/2006, 11:45 PM

Dr. Fosters doesn't carry any of those guys. Not to be a jerk but every time some one ask for T-5 bulbs the only thing mentioned are the ATI's. I used ATI sun, ATI Blueplus, Aquablue, AquaMedic OceanWhite and oceanblue, a few Current bulbs, and some Coralvue's. I wasn't impressed with the Current's for some odd reason I had pins break off of two of the them. Coralvue's died quick (9months). Those where kinda of a bust too. Thing is I perfer the AquaMedic bulbs over the ATIs REGUARDLESS of price the fact that there a half to a third less than the ATI are a bonus.

The Oceanwhite and Oceanblues are both real nice.

ccyflai · 04/02/2006, 12:10 AM

How long the Oceanwhite and Oceanblues able to keep the intensity and spectrum? I heard they are from China. We have used a lot of cheap China-made T5 here but not able to keep the intensity within a few months.

horkn · 04/02/2006, 01:17 AM

sites other than reefgeek have the ati / d&d geiseman bulbs, as well as ge day bulbs...

Covey · 04/02/2006, 10:12 AM

I my current system I have a ATI blueplus and a AM Oceanblue almost next to each other and after 9 months now. Too the naked eye there still equal bright. There both blue bulb so maybe I can see the different but they both seem fine.

reelfreak · 04/02/2006, 10:27 AM

I'm sure there are other bulbs that are just fine, for less money even. In my research, the German bulbs seemed the preference with most people. At the low cost of German bulbs relative to MH and PC bulbs, I didn't mind spending a "few" more dollars. I cannot relate these bulbs to any others, these are my first T5s and very few people/shops around here are using T5s yet....

My pics are quite true to the look in real life, so I hope the poster can see one of the combinations in action. That's the good thing about T5s, you can mix/match combinations of bulbs for very little money until you find what you like......

Nano_reeflover · 04/02/2006, 10:41 AM

Thanks for all the advice. I think when I get my lights I'll get some from drsfostersmith. I'll be the guinea pig and let everyone know how they work.

04/01/2006, 08:41 PM	#1
Nano_reeflover Reefer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 449	Which T5HO bulbs do I choose? I will be done setting up my tank soon and next on my list of things to do is get the T5's. I plan on having 4x54w on my 60gal Seaclear. From this list, which bulbs should I choose to get a tank with a good white/blue ratio? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...?N=2004+113907 Thanks, Travis

04/01/2006, 08:53 PM	#2
dwdenny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Edinburg, Texas Posts: 1,369	Most will run the ATI/D&D bulbs from reefgeek that are now giessman(sp) if you want you can run 1 GE daylight with 1 aquablue and 2 blue+ and that will give a slight blue look with a bunch of PAR. I would add another aquablue to the order so that you can swap out bulbs until you get what you like. Then if you dont like the GE some will buy it. __________________ "Attitude determine altitude" Visit MAAST.org just click the "Red House" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder in the works

04/01/2006, 09:46 PM	#3
reelfreak Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Atlantic Beach , Florida Posts: 1,096	I run the mix that dwdenny mentions, and I like the look....it is a very crisp, almost ice blue look. When ( and if ) the URI true actinic t5 ho bulb comes out I'm switching 1 blue+ bulb out for it. And yes the PAR is quite strong w/ this combo. I got some monti cap frags from another reefer w/ MH lights and the caps turned white, they were green/purple rims. They have great PE but they are white, good growth and all just white... My point is don't underestimate the strength of these lights....but the combo suggested is a good choice. HTH Edit: heres a link to pics of the aforementioned lighting setup (geismann & GE)... T5 HO light pics. These colors are fairly representative of how they look in person ( no photoshop, nothing ) pics straight from camera to irfanview.... __________________ From the forest itself, comes the handle for the axe Current Tank Info: 125g / 6x80 T5s 90w LED Hybrid DIY, Apex, WAVs,Skimz SM161,Tunze Osmolator

04/02/2006, 01:17 AM	#6
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	sites other than reefgeek have the ati / d&d geiseman bulbs, as well as ge day bulbs... __________________ people write stupid things in this space Current Tank Info: 200g DIY wood reef, 2x 250w SE 10k MH 2x80 t5ho, 75g sump, Geo Ca RX, ASD 6" recirc skimmer

04/02/2006, 10:27 AM	#8
reelfreak Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Atlantic Beach , Florida Posts: 1,096	I'm sure there are other bulbs that are just fine, for less money even. In my research, the German bulbs seemed the preference with most people. At the low cost of German bulbs relative to MH and PC bulbs, I didn't mind spending a "few" more dollars. I cannot relate these bulbs to any others, these are my first T5s and very few people/shops around here are using T5s yet.... My pics are quite true to the look in real life, so I hope the poster can see one of the combinations in action. That's the good thing about T5s, you can mix/match combinations of bulbs for very little money until you find what you like...... __________________ From the forest itself, comes the handle for the axe Current Tank Info: 125g / 6x80 T5s 90w LED Hybrid DIY, Apex, WAVs,Skimz SM161,Tunze Osmolator

04/01/2006, 11:45 PM	#4
Covey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Davenport IA Posts: 2,018	Dr. Fosters doesn't carry any of those guys. Not to be a jerk but every time some one ask for T-5 bulbs the only thing mentioned are the ATI's. I used ATI sun, ATI Blueplus, Aquablue, AquaMedic OceanWhite and oceanblue, a few Current bulbs, and some Coralvue's. I wasn't impressed with the Current's for some odd reason I had pins break off of two of the them. Coralvue's died quick (9months). Those where kinda of a bust too. Thing is I perfer the AquaMedic bulbs over the ATIs REGUARDLESS of price the fact that there a half to a third less than the ATI are a bonus. The Oceanwhite and Oceanblues are both real nice.

04/02/2006, 12:10 AM	#5
ccyflai Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 82	How long the Oceanwhite and Oceanblues able to keep the intensity and spectrum? I heard they are from China. We have used a lot of cheap China-made T5 here but not able to keep the intensity within a few months.

04/02/2006, 10:12 AM	#7
Covey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Davenport IA Posts: 2,018	I my current system I have a ATI blueplus and a AM Oceanblue almost next to each other and after 9 months now. Too the naked eye there still equal bright. There both blue bulb so maybe I can see the different but they both seem fine.

04/02/2006, 10:41 AM	#9
Nano_reeflover Reefer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 449	Thanks for all the advice. I think when I get my lights I'll get some from drsfostersmith. I'll be the guinea pig and let everyone know how they work.