Serious Lighting Opinions needed

meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
OK...For Christmas I am buying myself new bulbs (again)..LOL....In June I replaced my bulbs on my 225G tank...AND I HATE THEM. They make everything look yellow
I have 3 250W MH, and 8 T5HO
the 3 250 W Metal halides: 2 are Hamilton 10K HATE THEM
1 (do not know why) is an Ushio 10K...Not bad...
the T5HO's: 4 are Current 39W 460nm
4 are Current 39W 420nm
These lights are expensive, so this time I want the right ones
WHAT I WANT: ANYTING THAT'S NOT YELLOW....

Can anyone suggest bulbs that will be nice and clear....a slight blue tint will be okay too.....
If anyone has pics...that also would be appreciated
THANKS IN ADVANCE
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

On MHs ...The higher the K the bluer the light. I use 14K
20K looks like actinic all the time to me. 10K is yellow and so is 12K just not as much. I dont know if pictures show it but here ya go. My old computer bit the dust, so I don't have any before pictures.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Any brand suggestions? what about the T5HO bulbs...any suggestions on them, or stick with the ones I have
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3186145
Any brand suggestions? what about the T5HO bulbs...any suggestions on them, or stick with the ones I have

I know nothing about T5s...For MHs...I use Hamilton brand, I have heard that Phoenix brand is really good.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3186153

I know nothing about T5s...For MHs...I use Hamilton brand, I have heard that Phoenix brand is really good.
I hate Hamilton.....they are the ones that are YELLOW (10K anyway)
 
tannersmith200

tannersmith200

Member
I use 18K power glo from GLO in the front of my tank which gives it a slight slight pink/purplish color and I have Marine Glo in the back which gives it an actinic blue color. it's beautiful. it has a glow about it that everyone really enjoys
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
GOT ANOTHER QUESTION....I read a few days ago an article that FL. Joe posted about T5 lights and how they last longer...
SOOOO...I replaced all 8 T5HO's when I did the MH a few months back....Do I have to replace them too, or will they last 1-2 years as compared to the recommended 6-8 months of MH bulbs?????
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Generally speaking the lower the Kelvin on the bulbs the longer they last. This is just a general observation though. I strongly suggest you get a cheap LUX meter so you can tell when your bulbs have started to dim.
As far as 6 - 8 months, the only MH bulbs I've experienced that short a longevity with have been SE 20,000K bulbs. My 14,000K DE bulbs (XM) typically last 18 - 20 months.
Please remember that when people compare bulbs they often compare the worst of a competing bulb with their best bulb so they can show a significant difference. T5 is no different. If you take a Coralife VHO and compare it to the Best T5 on the market, guess what, the VHO is going to be a big loser
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Thanks....I'll look into one of those meters.....My lights are just about 6 months old, I'm not looking to replace them cause of age...I just HATE the way they look....That's why I am looking into buying new MH bulbs.
 
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