10kK, 11kK, or 12kK?

[Mavrk]

I am ordering some t5s today, and can't deside on the spectrum. I will be getting 4 total, so I was thinking 2 @ actinic and 2 @ 10000K. Or should i go 11000K, or even 12000K?

Or is there a better combination of 4 bulbs?

Your help is appreciated. :D
-Mav

[MalHavoc]

If you're adding two actinic, I'd probably go with the 10K bulbs for the other ones, just to avoid making things look too blue.

[Young Frankenstein]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10491349#post10491349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MalHavoc
If you're adding two actinic, I'd probably go with the 10K bulbs for the other ones, just to avoid making things look too blue.
+1 on that

[Mavrk]

Thanks, that's what I thought. Just ordered the IceCap HO 4x54w retrofit from Reef Geek.

It should be noted that the 4 pack for the HO has 2 separate ballasts (and plugs), while the 4 pack for the VHO has only 1). Good to know for those like me that have only the 4 lights and want to control the actinic and 10kK separately.

[Entropy]

You can setup the retrofit the same for VHO, or even mix and match if you get the right ballasts.

For bulb mix I would add a 12k in place of one of the 10k's, but that is going to be presonal preference on your part. I like the look to be a nice white with a touch of blue and the 10k bulbs seem to be able to overpower the actinics pretty easily.