T5 and VHO question

[Lyscer]

I currently am running 2-54w T5's on my tank and I was wondering if I switched over to VHO's if it would bring out the colors better or if it will be about the same. I'm just speaking in general because I know that different ballasts/brands of bulbs will output differently.

If you have a suggestion on T5 Bulbs that will really bring out my colors I would appreciate your suggestions.

I'm currently running 2-14k pheonix bulbs as main lighting and 1-T5 True actinic and 1-T5 6500k for suppliment. Thanks.

[antony1103]

It depends. I don't think you'll get any better colors unless you got 2 or more VHO bulbs. T-5's are pretty strong. I would say keep the T-5's unless your going for something like a 4 bulb VHO fixture.

[Lyscer]

Ok, I was asking because I'm trying to decide if I should buy a retrofit kit for 2 more T-5s or if I should buy the 4-vho retro kit. Sounds like I should stick with the T-5s

[antony1103]

I would go with 4 T-5's rather than 4 VHO. I myself have 4 110 wat VHO bulbs on my tank and i can keep almost anything, but some of my more delicate sps have lost some color. But in your case i would add 2 more T-5's.

[Lyscer]

Thanks for the advice. The next thing I need to figure out is if I want to go with the 10k XM and have 4 true actinic bulbs running to help bring out brilliant colors.

[antony1103]

That should be a good combo, but i'm not too experienced with MH's. That should give you excellent growth though from what i hear.

[Fuegofish777]

personally i like the 14k look alot better, but 10K xm's are slightly blue that other brands from what i hear. 10k with 4x t-5 actinics would still look pretty good though, not to mention the good growth.

[keeperofthefish]

If you're running 10K halides, definitely go with VHOs and run URI SuperActinic-R bulbs. Nothing "pops" corals better.

[theatrus]

Just watch out, XM 10ks are BRIGHT :)

[Lyscer]

So you would go VHO over T5? to help "pop" colors?

[chrisd1009]

Dump the 14K phoenix. Go XM 10k with t-5 supplement. 1 coralvue actinic to every 2 UV Lighting actinic blues.
Everyone has tried to get away from actinic supplements and for a lot, it's not working. T-5 is a good alternative to VHO for colors. I made the mistake and I'll never go back. Phoenix is a joke. Don't bite on that sad trend.

[Lyscer]

Where is the best place to get 250w 10k XM bulbs? Where is the best place to get the T5 bulbs

[chrisd1009]

try www.aquariumspecialty.com.
XM 10k on electronic (icecap) ballasts actually burn more in the area of 9000k. You'll need actinics aesthetically. The slight yellow may not show on the PAR scale, but the yellow I feel make the XM 10k the best for growth.

[Lyscer]

so you think that combo (10k xm + coralvue actinics) will make my coral colors pop? Should it bring out the blues and greens?

[chrisd1009]

NO. XM 10k with 1 coralvue actinic and 2 UV lighting actinics. (or 1 and 1 on the actinics). Coralvue actinics make the reds and pinks POP and the UVLighting actinic make the blues POP. XM make the growth go and it is aesthetically pleasing to look at.

[Lyscer]

Does coralvue sale a 48" actinic? I can't seem to find any that are longer than 38".

[Lyscer]

I finally found the coralvue bulbs in 48" but they have two options, either a 50/50 or an actinic blue. Which one would you recommend?

[antony1103]

The blue, for better colors. 50/50 will give better growth. Nothing real noticable though so I would go with the actinic.