Best Bulb Combo For AH Supply 2x55 Watt Fixture

[Homer_Simpson]

Does anyone have any experience with pairing of a combination of the following with a 2X55 Watt AH Supply Kit Fixture or any similar compact fluorescent fixture. And if so which ones would you suggest for best color rendering and plant growth. I am having a hard time deciding. Many thanks for any suggestions.

1 55 watt 6700K + 1 55 watt 8000K(All glass brand)

1 55 watt 5500K + 1 55 watt 8000K

1 55 watt 8000K + another 55 watt 8000K

1 55 watt 10000 K + 1 55 watt 8000K

By the way this is for my 40 gallon high tech, pressurized c02, as per my signature. Right now the tank is turning into a real jungle and the bulbs are 1 55 watt 6500K and 1 55 watt 5500K. I just wanted to change the configuration to enhance color rendering if that is even possible.

[epicfish]

Have you tried or looked into the GE 9325K bulbs?

[imeridian]

The various temperatures can look differently, so basing the answer on those is troublesome. I like the combo of the Current Usa dual daylight with the GE 9325K (interchangeable with the AGA 8000K). Depending on which lamp in particular the 5500K is, that may be a nice combo, but otherwise you want something really white (with high CRI) that will cut the pink of the GE/AGA lamp.

[Minsc]

I use 2 of the AGA 8000s, but my fixture is staggered, so I wanted to keep it consistent across the tank. These are really nice looking bulbs, they really bring out the colors of the tank.

That said, I think any of the combinations you list will look fine.

[Homer_Simpson]

Originally Posted by imeridian

The various temperatures can look differently, so basing the answer on those is troublesome. I like the combo of the Current Usa dual daylight with the GE 9325K (interchangeable with the AGA 8000K). Depending on which lamp in particular the 5500K is, that may be a nice combo, but otherwise you want something really white (with high CRI) that will cut the pink of the GE/AGA lamp.

Epicfish: thanks for the suggestion. Yes I thought of the 9325K GE bulb but was unable to find a local supplier or locate a Canadian on-line Supplier. And I heard that it was similar in terms of pink light hue to the AGA 8000K.

Thanks imeridian, I appreciate the recommendation. Lol, I guess I have to practice what I preach and try those different combinations to see what it does for the color.

[Homer_Simpson]

Originally Posted by Minsc

I use 2 of the AGA 8000s, but my fixture is staggered, so I wanted to keep it consistent across the tank. These are really nice looking bulbs, they really bring out the colors of the tank.

That said, I think any of the combinations you list will look fine.

Cool, thanks. I will monkey around with those combinations and see what happens.

[Left C]

Some pictures showing your various combinations would be very nice.

[Homer_Simpson]

Originally Posted by Left C

Some pictures showing your various combinations would be very nice.

Sure. I am just waiting for the 8000K. Once, I get it will post pictures with the different configurations.

[Homer_Simpson]

Some pictures of different K bulb combinations. Not the best pictures, but I am not the best photographer and do not have the best camera. As far as I can see, the best combo seemed to be the 7800K + 6700K and the 5500K +10000K with the 5500K + 8000K a close second.

Below 5500+7800


Below is 6700+7800


Below is 8000+7800


Below is 10000+7800


Below is 5500+8000

Below is 6700+8000


Below is 8000+10000


Below is 5500+10000


Below is 6700+10000

[Burks]

I personally like the 8000/7800 combo. Looks nice.

[Homer_Simpson]

Originally Posted by Burks

I personally like the 8000/7800 combo. Looks nice.

Thanks, come to think of it, I think you are right.

[Left C]

The 8000K/7800K combo really brings out the colors, doesn't it.

Who is the manufacturer of the 7800K bulb?

[Homer_Simpson]

Originally Posted by Left C

The 8000K/7800K combo really brings out the colors, doesn't it.

Who is the manufacturer of the 7800K bulb?

AH Supply

[agutt]

Sorry to hijack but I have a related question. I made a new thread about this earlier, but disregard it. If I do an upgrade, I will be moving to an AH supply setup. Anyhow...

Do you think that 2 55w bulbs, over a 20 gallon would be too much? I would run one all day (10hrs) and then run the second on a 5 hour burst...

I am running pressurized CO2 and EI method ferts.

[Homer_Simpson]

Originally Posted by agutt

Sorry to hijack but I have a related question. I made a new thread about this earlier, but disregard it. If I do an upgrade, I will be moving to an AH supply setup. Anyhow...

Do you think that 2 55w bulbs, over a 20 gallon would be too much? I would run one all day (10hrs) and then run the second on a 5 hour burst...

I am running pressurized CO2 and EI method ferts.

Hi, without knowing the dimensions of you tank, I would hazard to say that as long as you don't run both at the same time for the entire photoperiod and have adequate c02 with a good c02 diffuser, you should be fine. In fact, even if you ran just one bulb the entire photoperiod, you should be able to grow just about any plant according to this and dependng on your tank dimensions:
http://www.barrreport.com/general-pl...-kit-uses.html

Although I am generally happy with my AH Supply Kit fixture, if I could do it all over again, I would have not purchased one only because of the high cost of the replacement bulbs and the fact that I cannot even get generic replacment bulbs for these fixtures locally, so I end up paying an arm and a leg ordering them from AH supply due to shipping costs. But I am in Canada. Being in the US that may not be a problem for you.