[tuna15]

Hi,

I am currently in the process of setting up my first saltwater tank. Right now I am on the quest for the perfect light. My problem is not so much what fixture I should invest in but what bulbs I should use with my investment. The tek t5 looks like my number 1 pick so what are the optimal daylight bulbs I should be using? I am also kind of confused on the actinic bulbs, the whole actinic plus or actinic blue or aquablue, or whatever, which one is right for me? Also is there a particular brand that is better than the rest. Thanks for looking this over and I hope that I did not leave anything out.

[Dr. Clyde]

I would guess the first thing everyone will ask is what do you plan on having in your tank?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

T-5 bulbs are measured by there color temperature in degree's Kelvin.Starting way down at the bottom is 3000k and they go all the way to 17000k.You will not need anything below 6500k as these bulbs not only make a tank look ugly they will be just what algea likes to grow.All actinic lighting is blue and measured in the electromagnetic spectrum of 420 to 450 nanometers.Some bulbs are a mix of kelvin and actinic called 50/50 or super actinic or whatever the manufacturer can dream up to call it so it sounds different than what the other guy makes.Most people use a combination of kelvin and actinic bulbs. My recomendation would be 2 12000k and 2 actinic.this will give the tank a very nice look as well as provide good growth for the light loving critters.If your tank is the 40 gallon breeder 36x18x17 you will be able to keep just about any kind of coral you want.The depth of the tank determines the effectivness of the lights.If the tank has different measurements let me know.

[aquasalt]

I'm looking at a similar setup for my 90, but am considering the 8 bulb TEK. But to be honest with you, I can't see where the effective difference is between it and the (somewhat cheaper) 8 light NOVA Extreme 48" T-5 Fixture. Is it really worth the extra money?

[aquasalt]

In fact the NOVA has lunar moon lights, the TEKs do not.

[tuna15]

Thanks guys for your replies. To answer the first question, I plan eventually having all sorts of corals but I feel that it would be irresponsible to jump right in to that without a little experience with fish and some inverts. I figure that I should invest in the begging in a good light that will work for corals in the somewhat near future.

So if I am interpreting nativevaman's post right just regular actinics are the bulb of choice. I was looking at the website where I am potentially going to buy the fixture and the actinic bulbs they offer our actiinic+, actinicblue and aquablue. Is there a difference in these options and are they what nativevaman has me looking for? My tank is actually a 55 gallon 48x12.5x20 so does that create any special circumstances?

Thanks again.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I guess every bulb maker comes up with a name for there bulbs to make them sound better or different than what the other guy makes.There are some bulbs out there that are combination of actinic and 10000k bulbs.For your tank I would get a 4 bulb fixture with two true actinics 420 nanometers and two 12000k bulbs.the tank will look great and you will get good coral growth.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Salt,the major differences between fixtures is ballast type and reflectors.Cheap ballasts will get you a cheap fixture,the same with reflectors.If it was my choice to make I would get the tek lite unit and a pair of retro moon lights from Ice Cap.I believe these units are now using fulham electronic ballasts and mirro single lamp reflectors.

[tuna15]

Thank you, I will put your advice to good use. This place rocks.

[aquasalt]

Thanks Native and sorry Dave if I hijacked your thread. Welcome, BTW.

[tuna15]

No worries bud, I am glad to be here.

I know from my experience with freshwater planted tanks that not all light bulbs are created equal. While the bulbs may have the right color temp the actual spectrum that they emit can be off and take away from the desired results. Is there a particular brand or type maybe you would also recommend?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

It seems that thread hijacking around here is common place,and no big deal.Its just that sometimes I dont know who I am talking to lol.UVL and giesman are good places to start for bulbs.The cool thing about t-5 is that after a while you will end up with a rather esoteric collection of bulbs and be changing them around all the time.

[tuna15]

Since we are on the subject of light fixtures I have one more question. The best price on the tek t5 fixture I am looking at sounds almost to good to be true. The website is global aquarium and the specific link is as follows: Global Aquarium Supply Teklight T5 Lighting Fixtures. Has anyone had any experience with this supplier and if so has it been positive or are they some sort of shady characters? Are there any other website that would offer good products and prices that I may not have found doing my google searches and what not? Is this price to good to be true? Will I ever find out who my real father is? Much obliged yet again.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Compare these prices,some are better some are not.
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...2657739b05d927

[tuna15]

Hey again,

For anyone that clicked on the link already knows the price is 40 bucks less at global aquarium than where natievaman recommended for me. But of all good things I am a bit weary. The price seems to good to be true and the web site hardly works. Is something in the air making me paranoid or this a good deal that I need to capitalize on? Much obliged.

Apparently I do need it spelled out for...

[Taras1]

If I can add my 2 cents (for what it's worth), I purchased the Nova Orbit Extreme for my 90 and have been very happy with the unit. It does lack the individual parabolic reflectors, but my corals and anemone are very happy.

PS Dale's advice on vendor is golden -- I've purchased from them and they're a class act.

[aquasalt]

Originally Posted by tuna15

Since we are on the subject of light fixtures I have one more question. The best price on the tek t5 fixture I am looking at sounds almost to good to be true. The website is global aquarium and the specific link is as follows: Global Aquarium Supply Teklight T5 Lighting Fixtures. Has anyone had any experience with this supplier and if so has it been positive or are they some sort of shady characters? Are there any other website that would offer good products and prices that I may not have found doing my google searches and what not? Is this price to good to be true? Will I ever find out who my real father is? Much obliged yet again.

That website works fine on my end. I say go for it--the vendor looks legit! Forgive me if it has already been mentioned but you are aware that the bulbs are not included with the TEKs.

Not sure if you will ever find out who your real father is, but you could probably google it and get a pretty good idea.