Need help in picking new lights

[WayneL333]

Hello. My 300g system currently is running 2 X 400W MH 20K and 1 X 250W 20K. I have the 400W's next to each other (center & right) where my SPS and clams are and the 250W are over my LPS's(left). The dimensions of my tank are 64x36x30. Here's pic:



I tried going to 10K over the center, but I didn't like the color - hence why all 20k's. I want to go with supplemental lighting to get the 10K spectrum for coral growth and was thinking of using T5's.

My question is, which combination should I use for the MH and T5's? I was thinking of 10K's for the MH and actinic or super blues for the T5's???

Can anyone suggest any T5 lamps; has anyone had experience with these T5's:

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...em.asp?CartId=

I like how they look and I need to hang my T5's.

Many thanks!

[Orion76]

I'm currently running 1000W Blueline 20K bulbs and both the color and light output on those babies rocks

[moonpod]

Hey Wayne, if the T5s are gonna be seen then great the Geisemann and Teklight fixtures are fine, but a bit on the pricey side. If the T5s will not be seen, just mount retrokits to 2x4s or even just laminate shelving and suspend the 2x4s/shelving.

[WayneL333]

Hey Moonpod, thanks for the suggestion! They actually aren't going to be seen; so what you wrote makes a lot of sense. The fixtures just look so cool though!

Can you also please suggest the types of lighting configuration you would use.

Thanks,

~ W

[moonpod]

Well...I've got a case of BLV 14k 400w SEs coming to me so....

And then supplement as needed with blue+ and actinic T5s. As much as people bag on actinic T5s they DO work. 2 5ft T5s in the front and 2 in back (bracketing the LAIIIs)

[WayneL333]

Hey Moonpod,

I am interested in your 14K's if you were implying that you were selling them.

Also, can you please recommend a vendor and manufacturer for the T5's?

Thanks,

~ W

[moonpod]

For T5s reefgeek.com

As for the 14ks, IF they ever show up, I'll hold 3 for ya. You're just a few miles away anyways right?

[Detritivore]

chuck, what do you mean by "actinic t5's do work"?

[moonpod]

Oh, people bag on 'em b/c they don't have as much of an effect as the VHO versions, but they do "work" to make corals fluoresce.

[Detritivore]

so they're better than blue+ but worse than VHO? (in terms of fluoresce)

[moonpod]

blue+ don't cause fluorescence. It's different. They cause a sort of blacklight effect.

[WayneL333]

You're the man Moonpod!