HELP! Replacing old T5 bulbs!!

[helpbrady]

HI ALL!!
I am in need some some lighting advice. I have a 30g saltwater aquarium with about 6 or so fish, some shrimp, a couple anenomes, some snails, kenya trees and some mushrooms..
I just recently bought a Solormaxx HO 30" (2 x 24w) fixture to add to our existing 30" Coralife NO T5 (18w) The Coralife bulbs are about a year old and kinda beat. I am in need of some replacement bulbs.
I am thinking about buying and replacing the old bulbs with two actinic bulbs instead of the daylight/actinic combo in addition to the solormax HO light. I would like more blue/purple lighting to get more of a reef look.
My questions are, is this a good idea? If so, what bulbs should I buy to replace the old? I'm hoping there are some actinic bulbs out there that are better than the stock bulbs.
Any suggestions?

 

[snakeblitz33]

NO = Normal Output... typically not considered "reef" lighting, since you have an anemone. I know of no quality normal output "reef aquarium" light bulbs. It's all T5HO...
Buy another 2 bulb T5HO and either use ATI super actinics with a coral plus bulb OR, and my personal favorite (at the moment) UVL 454 actinics paired with a UVL Aquasun.
Color temp depends on your preference... some people like a tank that is really blue - I personally like one that is well balanced and mostly daylight. I find that the 454 with the aquasun brings out the most stunning colors - purples, reds, oranges, blues and greens. But of course, I am colorblind - and therefore I pick lighting that brings out colors that I am partial to.
The bulbs in your new unit, if they are standard/stock bulbs that came with the fixture typically do not have enough PAR value (photosynthetically active radiation) to consider higher light demanding organisms - and should be replaced with better brand of bulbs, IE ATI or UVLs...
Let me know if I confused you... and I don't know if I welcomed you to the forums or not... so... WELCOME! I hope you enjoy your stay.

 

[helpbrady]

No confusion loud n clear! Haha thanks
As my luck would have it, the new solar max fixture just quit working. Fortunately, I can return it.
Now, I'm looking for a new fixture. I have my eye on a 30" Coralife Aqualight HO T5 dual fixture for around the same price.. About $130. Any opinions on this fixture? I've seen good and bad reviews.. Any other fixtures I should take a look at?
Thank!!

 

[snakeblitz33]

I would avoid coralife brand anything. Its perhaps the cheapest junk you can find. Though, some have success with their skimmers. However, there are much better skimmers out there for thr price. Now im rambling again.
I would go for a nova extreme unit. Check out petmountain for a good affordable one.