Anyone have advice on T5 bulbs?

[kdx7214]

So I'm on a serious budget and have finally decided on T5s for lighting. Fixture is on the way (it's a retrofit) and now I'm looking at bulbs. Was looking at BRS and holy crap there's a ton of them, with many from the same brands and no indication of the difference (mainly ATI and Zuller something or other). I only have a 2 bulb fixture and don't want 100% blue, so anyone have any suggestions? I've searched Amazon, but the only they seem to have are grow lights, as expected lol.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Having only a 2 bulb fixture severely limits you. Most of the best coral t5 bulbs will be blue to bluer. You for sure will want an Aquablue. It's the best t5 for growth and health. You can do a Coralblue for a bit more white a 6500k for a lot more white almost yellow/white.

 

[kdx7214]

Having only a 2 bulb fixture severely limits you. Most of the best coral t5 bulbs will be blue to bluer. You for sure will want an Aquablue. It's the best t5 for growth and health. You can do a Coralblue for a bit more white a 6500k for a lot more white almost yellow/white.

I figured it would be limiting. It's for a 75 gallon tank and I just don't have the $$$ for any of the LED fixtures out there. This was inexpensive and a way to get the tank going. Will probably upgrade to LED in the future as budget permits :)

 

[Thrashed]

I figured it would be limiting. It's for a 75 gallon tank and I just don't have the $$$ for any of the LED fixtures out there. This was inexpensive and a way to get the tank going. Will probably upgrade to LED in the future as budget permits :)

If you are willing to pay for shipping I have a 6 bulb fixture with built in timer I will let go of cheap. It would cost more to put bulbs in it but I ran it over my 75 for years and had tons of growth and plenty of options to play with for colors

 

[kdx7214]

If you are willing to pay for shipping I have a 6 bulb fixture with built in timer I will let go of cheap. It would cost more to put bulbs in it but I ran it over my 75 for years and had tons of growth and plenty of options to play with for colors

How much would you want for it and any guess on shipping? I'm in central Missouri (65202)

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

Coral plus and ati blueplus

 

[Big E]

Get one more retrofit kit with two bulbs............LET is usually the least expensive. 4 is fine for a 75g until the corals get bigger if you're growing acros. If you are just going with LPS softies you will be good to go.

https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/let-lighting-miro-4-t5-ho-retrofit-kit.html
Use ATI blue+ and coral+ 2x2. If you like it a little more blue go with 3 blue+

Stay with the DIY T5s..........this offers you a ton of flexibility regardless of what you decide to do later.

Don't put corals in the tank until you can have 4 bulbs over it.

 

[nereefpat]

Blue+ and Coral+ is a great place to start.

What corals are you wanting to keep?

 

[dwest]

Agree 50/50 blue plus and coral plus

 

[rtparty]

Jump on Amazon and get a 4 bulb T5HO (it MUST be the High Output version) shop light. They are less than $100. 4 bulbs will run you another $100. Just make sure whatever you do that the light is placed a little higher than normal since a shop light will have no protection against water and splashes.

 

[dedragon]

Blue+ and Coral+ is a great place to start.

What corals are you wanting to keep?

^ If you want to keep most corals this wont be enough light though, not sure what style of reef this would be . I would say at least one blue plus then but need more info for the tank

 

[kdx7214]

Get one more retrofit kit with two bulbs............LET is usually the least expensive. 4 is fine for a 75g until the corals get bigger if you're growing acros. If you are just going with LPS softies you will be good to go.

https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/let-lighting-miro-4-t5-ho-retrofit-kit.html
Use ATI blue+ and coral+ 2x2. If you like it a little more blue go with 3 blue+

Stay with the DIY T5s..........this offers you a ton of flexibility regardless of what you decide to do later.

Don't put corals in the tank until you can have 4 bulbs over it.

The LET is the exact one I ordered. I'd have to order another one and that's going to take a bit of time due to financial constraints.

 

[kdx7214]

^ If you want to keep most corals this wont be enough light though, not sure what style of reef this would be . I would say at least one blue plus then but need more info for the tank

I'll play it safe and start with a fish, then a softie or two, and then some sps. Budget won't let me go overboard, so it'll be slow and steady :)

 

[dedragon]

you can always add one led bar strip for each 2 t5ho bulbs. Reefbrite xho and orphek are popular choices. Some people have had success with cheaper ones (21led) but i trust orphek and reefbrite more https://orphek.com/or2-150-120-90-60-reef-led-lighting/

 

[kdx7214]

you can always add one led bar strip for each 2 t5ho bulbs. Reefbrite xho and orphek are popular choices. Some people have had success with cheaper ones (21led) but i trust orphek and reefbrite more https://orphek.com/or2-150-120-90-60-reef-led-lighting/

I've definitely seen those, but the prices are a bit out of reach for me right now. What I'd like to do, when I get the funds and the time, is to build my own using led COBs. I'm just a bit of a geek :)

 

[Nano_Tuners]

Despite most people going to LEDs, there are some real advantages to T5s still, including very even light distribution. ATI Blue Plus is only bulb you need. If you think the spectrum is too blue add a coral plus to the mix

 

[dedragon]

you usually end up spending more that way, been there before leds became a reasonable price. Wait for a sale too and they are another 15-20% off

 

[Radman73]

Despite most people going to LEDs, there are some real advantages to T5s still, including very even light distribution. ATI Blue Plus is only bulb you need. If you think the spectrum is too blue add a coral plus to the mix

These videos helped me confirm I bought the right bulbs lol! My wife insisted on wrapping up the AL 48" fixture I got black Friday. I ordered bulbs off of recommendations from this site, but those videos are very helpful.

 

[Big E]

If you want to see acros under T5 only you can sift through my thread. All the corals are under Blue+ and Coral+ at 50/50 mix. With a four bulb fixture these two bulbs compliment each other to excite the pigments to get color in corals of any color.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/big-e-rimless-80g-sps.206607/page-19#post-9599554
With 6-8 bulb fixtures you can mix in some Actinic bulbs.

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

When u can afford it, a couple kessils for shimmer and ans some pop and you'll be dialed in.