Adding T5 to PC: Lighting Diagram!

[Saraja87]

Excellent. Right now I have:

2x 6700k/10000k dual daylight bulbs
2x 7100k blue bulbs (these look really blue but the hellolights guy said they were okay for a planted tank)

So for these two bulbs, should I go with:
2 x 6000k

or

1x 6000k
1 x 1000k

or

2x 10000k

Edit: I actually added the kit to my cart before they put it on backorder so I've got it in my cart to order now. Think I can still order it?

[epicfish]

If those bulbs are really blue, try 2x 6700K to try to even it out. It may or may not work.

Off-topic, but I was really interested in those 7100K bulbs too. Does it look super blue, like a marine tank blue? Or just really crisp white? For $5 at HelloLights, I'm tempted!

[lauraleellbp]

The bulb choice is really a matter of personal preference since just about any bulb between 5000 -10000 kelvins will support photosynthesis.

Hagen's 18k PowerGlo is a nice pink bulb that is great for plants and also really brings out reds and blues.

Giesemann bulbs are the top of the line ATM, and their 8k bulbs are supposed to be pretty nice.

10k/6700k is probably the most popular combination.

[Saraja87]

I Really like blue bulbs over fish, I think it makes them look their best so I really like them and don't think they're too blue.

When I look at marine tanks I always think purple-blue and these are definitely white-blue. They're very crisp and I think they offset the yellow 6700k perfectly. I was just worried when I bought them that they wouldn't grow plants but they seem to be doing fine.

[Saraja87]

It looks like Aquabuys only carries 6000k or 10000k bulbs and since shipping there is killer I'd like to just order them from the same place. Will the 6000k bulbs be really yellow?

Also, anyone have a coupon code? This is gonna be one expensive order!

[epicfish]

Which site? AquaBuys?

[Saraja87]

Sorry! Yes, I meant aqua buys. This is what happens when I try to do fishy things in my senior seminar lol.

[epicfish]

Ask them first about whether the kit is in stock or not.

http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchan...roduct_Count=6
http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchan...roduct_Count=2

I'd grab one of each for a nice mix, or two the middays if you want to balance out the blue from the 7100K bulb.

And I searched, but couldn't find a coupon code for you, sorry.

[Saraja87]

I am holding the last kit they have in my cart and have to buy it now. Final vote please!

Good idea or bad? Will this help out my e. tenellus which hasn't been growing at all and my ludwigia cuba and other high light stems?

[lauraleellbp]

I say get it.

Tho E. tenellus grows pretty well in low light, just takes a long time to get established, and L. 'cuba' is a nutrient hog- so lighting may not be your issue.

[Saraja87]

Well I bought it! I'll let you all know when it gets here and then I can figure out how I want to install it. Thank you all for your input!

[Saraja87]

Tomorrow I am going to rescape my tank and move around my lighting a bit to make room for the T5 lights. For the bursts, I should want one PC bulb to go on on either side of the canopy right? Right now my lights look like this:

-----65 watt PC------ -----65 watt PC-----
-------------Space for New T5-------------
-----65 watt PC------ -----65 watt PC-----
-------------Space for New T5-------------

Which bulbs should come on for the burst?

Also, if everyone could take a peak at my journal to give me some advice on how to change the scape, I'd really appreciate it!

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...escape-13.html

[epicfish]

Why are the T5s only on one side of the tank?

[Saraja87]

Oh, I meant it was the space for the new T5. The T5s are 48 inches long and stretch across the whole canopy.

[Saraja87]

Man are these guys bright! They totally light up the tank a lot more than the PCs. I had to screw them in like 10 different ways before I got everything set up right, but they look awesome. My only concern is I'm wondering if they accidentally sent me the wrong bulb. It looks awfully blue to be a 10k or 6700k bulb...