T-5 Bulbs

[golgi aparatus]

Hello everyone. It has been too long since I've been on the boards. You know how it goes in the hobby...I'm back and getting my 75g reef back under control. I need to replace my 6 T-5 bulbs as they are pretty old. First things first, how should I go about replacing them? One a day,week or what?
Also, where are the best places online to find replacement T-5 bulbs, Geismann , ATI etc...

 

[mr. limpid]

Is there living things in your tank? If not replace them all at one time if there is living creatures I would replace 2 at a time. Many places for bulbs just goggle for best price.

 

[golgi aparatus]

Yes, I have a few zoa colonies, mushrooms, trumpet and hammer coral currently. Should I change 2 bulbs a week or what?

 

[1guydude]

I only changed one a week till the 3rd week (4bulb system) than i changed the last two at once!

 

[sweatervest13]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1guyDude http:///forum/thread/386664/t-5-bulbs#post_3397726
I only changed one a week till the 3rd week (4bulb system) than i changed the last two at once!
+1 with the one a week. What colors are you going with on the bulbs?
Also. Love the name!!! Super Crunchy!!

 

[jstdv8]

I've also read that it's ok to replace them all at once but just shorten the time the lights are on for a few weeks while the corals get adjusted.
API makes some great bulbs with superior PAR numbers

 

[bang guy]

I think it's crazy to replace them all at once if you have corals in the tank. If it were me and I had 6 T-5s I would replace one every 2 months forever. I used to keep a chart that lists the date each position was changed. Buy them all at once and replace them in regular intervals so you don't go from 75% efficiency to 115% efficiency all at once and then back down to 100% within a week. That's just pure stress for your corals.

 

[nycbob]

reefgeek.com is a good place for t5 bulbs. their selection is awesome

 

[aquaknight]

Definite +1 for the geeks, best selection of Korallen Zucht bulbs, the T5 to get.

 

[golgi aparatus]

So you prefer KZ over ATI? I have been using the ATI Aquablue Special as a 50/50 type bulb and the ATI Blue + for my blue bulb. I have also 1 Geisman Actinic for the 420 supplemental light. What would you replace and with what KZ bulb?
I have a 6 bulb setup and I believe I have 4 Blue +, 1 Geisman Actinic and 1 Aquablue Special.....

 

[1guydude]

Thats hella blue! Id put a purple+ in thier!

 

[golgi aparatus]

In replace of what? One of the blue Plus bulbs? It actually has a great color to my eyes. One the blue side, but too too much as well as having nice florescence. Also the Blue Plus bulbs have a high PAR rating.

 

[aquaknight]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Golgi Aparatus http:///forum/thread/386664/t-5-bulbs#post_3398836
So you prefer KZ over ATI?
I do. Truer, brighter colors.
I also have a 6-bulb 54w setup over my 90 reef; my bulbs consist of;
1 KZ Fiji Purple
2 KZ New Gen. 14000k
2 KZ Super Blue's
1 ATI True Actinic 09

 

[java1]

T-5 bulbs will do this to your tank: