I have a nova extreme pro t5 ho light 36".
the info states: “3-10,000K T5 HO Slimpaq bulbs and 3-T5 HO Slimpaq actinic 460nm bulbs. Slimpaq bulbs offer 50% more output to ordinary lighting systems and a longer lifespan.”
It’s the longer lifespan that I do not understand b/c it’s so vague.
Ive had the system running since mid december, just over 6 months. 1 actinic and 1 ho bulbs are on 10:30 am to 9 pm [about 1900 hours so far] and the other 4 11:30 am to 8 pm [about 1700 hrs].
When should I replace bulbs, which ones, all at once? help.
I personally don’t like the current bulbs. If it were me I would replace them with a combination of ATI blue + and ATI aqua blue special. I plan on replacing my bulbs 2 at a time with 2 weeks in between. I will start replacing them at the 10 month mark. I think this is less shocking to the corals then if you swapped them all at the same time.
I think 6 months is a little early, but this is just my opinion. Some say you can go as long as 15 months others say change at 6 months.
I think a good rule of thumb is all actinics burn out first. they say with proper ballasts a T5 can last 12-15 months. so i would definetly replace the actinics at or before 12 months, and the whites at 12-14 if you want to stretch them?. IceCap ballasts are supposed to be the kindest of all on T5 lamps, over driven or knot.
As for lamps… there are a wide variety of lamps, in various spectrums and quality to choose from. A good staple are the UVL lamps. Long standing rep for great phosphors and solid construction. Their actinics are particularly prized for flourescing corals. But there are many new combo Blue lamps out recently that may have better broad spectrum Blue light for the chlorophyl A zooxanthalae in corals to grow on. Chlorphyl A is capable of using a wide spectrum of blue light in the 400-475 nm range of light. but 420nm happens to be the peak effeciency. but still, a wide spectrum of blue light supports a wide spectrum of zooxanthalae which makes the coral food source more resilliant. I suppose.
several lamp companies have discovered this fact and now offer combo blue lamps. Like AquaticLife’s new
420/460 nm act/blue combo lamp. I think DPA just started carrying them too. and some of their lights.
and then there are the ATI Blue Plus lamps, and the Giesman actinic plus. or any other combos on the market. as long as they are still strong in the 420nm range. these, i think might help corals more. I might be trying some next lamp change.
Some of the best mixed coral reef tanks i have ever seen where grown under basic 6500K MH lamps with a pair of UVL VHO Actinic lamps. The corals grew great and looked great, because the 6500K lights were broad spectrum with a lot of blue in them. and the acts made them light up.
But, lighting is a personal preference and taylored to the corals, and tank conditions.
Feel free to experiment.
holy crap! i feel illuminated, enlightened, and brighter than before. lOl ??? THANKS!
i hadn’t planned on switching the kinds of bulbs. just wanted to know how long they should last and be effective. but now the choices, the choices…my tank is mostly corals, clowns , blenny and gobies, recently a derasa and 3 clams coming tomorrow.
ken sez, A good staple are the UVL lamps. Long standing rep for great phosphors and solid construction. IS UVL THE BRAND OF BULB?? Their actinics are particularly prized for flourescing corals.
KEN THEN SEZ,
and then there are the ATI Blue Plus lamps, and the Giesman actinic plus. or any other combos on the market. as long as they are still strong in the 420nm range. these, i think might help corals more. DO THESE JUST FIT INTO THE FIXTURE AS IT IS NOW? OR DO I NEED SOMETHING EXTRA? I JUST WANNA DO RIGHT BY THE CRITTERS AND NOT BREAK MY WALLET OR MY BRAIN TRYING TO RETRO-FIT SOMETHING…
yes paul UVL is the brand of bulb
and no need to retro fit for the others. t 5 is same
UVL, ATI, Giesman, Current Are all brands of bulbs (or manufacturers).
420nm, 460nm are wavelengths usually for ‘actinics’, 6500-20K are temperature colors of bulbs, usually for ‘daylight’ bulbs.
So basically those are all just the different kinds/colors of bulbs you can get. Thats the cool thing about T5s is you’ve got more bulbs to choose from to get that special color/light spectrum/growth you are looking for.
Thanks, now I get it!
the bulbs are quality as well as spectrum related. but the fit is the same.
me so stoopid.