need to buy lights

[nixon125]

have a 20" Current Nova Extreme Pro T-5 that needs new lamps. I'll need 3 -18 watt 10k°K's and 3 - 18 watt 460 nm actinic.

I've never bought lights before, who's got good pricing / good reputation?

thanks,

nixon125

[logiktest]

Nix, since your pretty much set on the Current brand bulbs, you'll likely have to call around to the various LFS to see who can give you the best price. If you decide to shop online, I recommend Premium Aquatics for fast and friendly service, especially considering that you'll likely have to call them to ask about an 18" bulb.

[rackman]

are you set on using current?

i'd look into using different brand bulbs, there are much better bulbs available than current

[rackman]

look here for lots of options, hope you have some time on your hands:spin3:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1706461&highlight=ati+giesmann

[logiktest]

are you set on using current?

i'd look into using different brand bulbs, there are much better bulbs available than current

Your absolutely right, there are much-much better bulbs than the Current brand out there... but Nix needs 18" bulbs...

[GPhiAce]

Right on time. I was going to make a thread asking for the best LFS for bulbs? Are there any, or do I just need to call around??? I need actinic 46.5" VHO and would like to pick up some MH bulbs as well (SE 250w Pheonix, radiums or aquaconnects).

[nixon125]

maker of the bulbs isn't my concern, (just listed the current name so ppl knew what type of light i had). I'm mainly just shopping for something that'll fit the 18" and works well. thanks for the help on this guys.

[logiktest]

GPhiAce, I've noticed that Marine Solutions generally keeps a lot of VHO's on hand... but for the length of driving you'll be doing to get them, it couldn't hurt to call first...

Nix, Your kinda stuck because of the size of the bulbs. Off hand, the only available brand bulb I can think of is Current, but I believe there may be one or two other brands... maybe Marine-Glow? If your fixture was 24" or larger, I would have directed you to the same thread that Rackman posted... best T5 thread on the net, and if you have the time to sift through it, 18" bulbs may have been discussed already. IMO, Current bulbs will work just fine until the day that brands like ATI step in.

[rackman]

[QUOTE= Current bulbs will work just fine until the day that brands like ATI step in.[/QUOTE]

+1
that's what i used for the first year i had my fixture but then switched to ati and the difference in color and growth was very noticible

[GPhiAce]

ATI, Geissman and KZ are all that I used when I had T5s.