Nova Extreme t-5 question

[suzi1780]

I got mine in Oct 2005 when should I replace the bulbs? Also what types of bulbs do I need to get... I found this list
-Ocean Blue
450nm (21060)
-Daylight SlimPaq
10,000°K (21130)
-Actinic SlimPaq
420nm (22919)
-Actinic SlimPaq
460nm (21131)
do I need all of those bulbs!?! sorry I am not great at this lighting thing

Thanks!

 

[reefforbrains]

Everyone tries to make thier bulb the best spectrum. Just look at average daylight bulbs. They range from 4500k up to 8200k and are all labled as "daylight" and will have some blurb written about how they have magic in a bottle and thier bulds are SOOOOOO great compered to others.
True actinic is 420nm all the others are just the different variations.
If replacing bulbs just replace with whatever you like. Higher the kelvin, the bluer the bulb will look to your eye. Thats the difference between 6500k, 10,000k, 12,000k, 14,000k and 20,000k.
6500 is closest to true daylight, (I think 6780k is actual dayligh) but color often seems bland and drab. Most folks push it up to about 14k for a nice blue balance that brings out the colors in thier tanks and bright to the eye. Higher kelvin temp will also help reduce algea growth.
I should ask also is the tank a fish only or is it a mixed reef tank?

 

[mx mr bean]

ive got two 10,000 K's and two 460 actinics. plus my t5 is 48" with four bulbs slots. they have a 48" one for eight bulbs! its crazy bright with just four i cant imagine what 8 look like.

 

[wangotango]

i would look into either geisseman or ati bulbs personally. if you want a crisp-white look go with an even split of 10k-12k with actinics. also if you can, buy the new individual reflectors, they will boost your output by 300%. as for how often to change the bulbs, T5 will last 18-24 months if driven at spec.
-Justin

 

[suzi1780]

Originally Posted by ReefForBrains
Everyone tries to make thier bulb the best spectrum. Just look at average daylight bulbs. They range from 4500k up to 8200k and are all labled as "daylight" and will have some blurb written about how they have magic in a bottle and thier bulds are SOOOOOO great compered to others.
True actinic is 420nm all the others are just the different variations.
If replacing bulbs just replace with whatever you like. Higher the kelvin, the bluer the bulb will look to your eye. Thats the difference between 6500k, 10,000k, 12,000k, 14,000k and 20,000k.
6500 is closest to true daylight, (I think 6780k is actual dayligh) but color often seems bland and drab. Most folks push it up to about 14k for a nice blue balance that brings out the colors in thier tanks and bright to the eye. Higher kelvin temp will also help reduce algea growth.
I should ask also is the tank a fish only or is it a mixed reef tank?

Sorry I completely forgot about this post

I have a reef tank
so I should get 420nm and 14k?
Do we think my bulbs are still good, they are 7 months old... for some reason I had in my head they only last for 6 months