Hey you T5 users, help me choose bulbs

fishes2889 · Dec 24, 2006

Like the title says. Help me choose 24w bulbs for my 20long prop system.

What will give me the best color and growth(especially)

Heres what my choices are:
ATI 24W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
General Electric 24W 6500K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent
Giesemann 24W 6000K Midday Sun T5 HO Fluorescent
Giesemann 24W 11000K Aquablue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
Giesemann 24W Actinic Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
Giesemann 24W Pure Actinic 03 T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 24W 10000K AquaSun T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 24W 12000K Actinic White (50/50) T5 HO Fluorescent
UV Lighting 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent

LOL, long list...

Steve

fishes2889 · Dec 24, 2006

Oh yeah the retro fit is 4x24watt....

Steve

ficklefins · Dec 24, 2006

How many bulbs do you get to choose from?

Ooops you responded while I was posting.

epidemic · Dec 24, 2006

Best color will be UVL actinics, best groth will be GE 65K or 5500, Spectrum in bewteen

fishes2889 · Dec 24, 2006

So what four exact bulbs should i be using?

In order from:
Back?
2nd from back?
2nd in front?
To front?

Steve

fishes2889 · Dec 26, 2006

Anyone? have suggestions on the bulb order from back tp front?

Steve

fishes2889 · Dec 28, 2006

Anyone?

pookstreet · Dec 28, 2006

Bulb choices are usually up to the user depending on the look wanted. You mentioned growth, so the GE 6500K would be the best for that and they are the cheapest bulbs out of all those you listed. The down side is that the tank won't be that great to look at. If you want little bit of a blue look thrown in there, I would suggest using 1 blue plus and 1 UVL super actinic, probably in this order:

Back - ATI Blue Plus
2nd from back - GE 6500K
2nd in front - UVL Super Actinic
To front - GE 6500K

twon8 · Dec 28, 2006

actually the ge no longer is a great bulb, they have changed it, and you are now better off going with blueplus or an ati sun,
i would go with at least two blueplus, either geissmann or ati, and either an aquablue or a 3000k(for acros if you have them), and then some other bulb, likley get two or three different ones and see what you like, maybe even go with three blueplus, they give out plenty of par, and look great imo

twon8 · Dec 28, 2006

an by the way, happy birthday.

fishes2889 · Dec 28, 2006

Thanks for the advice guys. I will make my order and choose my bulbs in a few days.

twon8 said:
an by the way, happy birthday.

Thanks alot bro!

Steve

fishes2889 · Dec 29, 2006

Hey Twon-
How about this bulb configuration....
Back -Geisman Aqua Blue plus
2ndin back -ATi Blue plus
2nd in front-geisman midday 6000k
Front-Ati Blue plus

Steve