reef lighting

[jfoxx81]

i currently have 2 marineland t5 light fixtures....each holds four bulbs
they're 2 white and two blues that were in it when i bought them.

my question is what lights would be better for growth and color..and how long should i wait till replace them.

ive owned the lights since january...dont know how long they were in there before

 

[Heathd]

It is really going to depend on the type of corals you are going to be keeping, but some 10000k, 20000k (probably only going to be found in metal halide), and some actinics are probably going to be the best choice.

 

[jfoxx81]

just trying to get some insight on the situation still learning things and my lights were something i bought used that already had bulbs....i am ready to replace the bulbs but have no idea what i should be looking for if u know what i mean..

 

[Heathd]

just trying to get some insight on the situation still learning things and my lights were something i bought used that already had bulbs....i am ready to replace the bulbs but have no idea what i should be looking for if u know what i mean..

For reef keeping with T5s, i think 10k/ actinic combo is pretty standard. 50/50

 

[Kevin8888]

Agreed ^^^ 10k/actinic is standard lighting, 20k and higher are rarely needed (and harmful to many corals)

 

[jfoxx81]

For reef keeping with T5s, i think 10k/ actinic combo is pretty standard. 50/50

any particular brands i should stay away from

 

[Heathd]

any particular brands i should stay away from

coralife and zoomed are good ones. I suspect that cheap no name bulbs may have a shorter life span or may not put out light at the spectrum it says it will.

 

[jfoxx81]

coralife and zoomed are good ones. I suspect that cheap no name bulbs may have a shorter life span or may not put out light at the spectrum it says it will.

thanks finally...any idea on average price on the bulbs i have 8.. 48" bulbs that i am replacing ive done reasearch on them but keep seeing different types of sun light...actnics...6500, 10k...all this is new to me lol

 

[Heathd]

thanks finally...any idea on average price on the bulbs i have 8.. 48" bulbs that i am replacing ive done reasearch on them but keep seeing different types of sun light...actnics...6500, 10k...all this is new to me lol

Some bulbs of the same light spectrum are can be priced differently, for no particular reason or benefit, in my experience. 48 inch bulbs can get pricey, 15 to 25 bucks each, just depending on manufacturer and light spectrum.

I also left out that current was a good brand as well, forgot about them.

 

[jfoxx81]

Some bulbs of the same light spectrum are can be priced differently, for no particular reason or benefit, in my experience. 48 inch bulbs can get pricey, 15 to 25 bucks each, just depending on manufacturer and light spectrum.

I also left out that current was a good brand as well, forgot about them.

thanks again ill start looking around for some