Replacement Bulbs Question

Capt'n T · 11/29/2013, 10:36 PM

I have a light fixture, 48 inch Outer Orbit 2x250w 10K HQI-MH w/ 4x54W T5 HO & 18 Lunar Lights, that is discontinued. I have had this fixture in storage going on 3 years. I am starting up my tank again and want to use this (I know LED's are the way to go, but I paid 1000.00 for the orbit). I can't seem to find much on replacement bulbs other than they are 54W. Can I go with any brand of T5's or do I have to stick with the slimPaq brand?

thefranchizehof · 11/29/2013, 10:50 PM

I will tell you what I just had beaten into my head over the last couple days. Look at my thread I started called "ATI T5 bulb combos".

ATI bulbs are the BEST. I just bought 4 tonight but they seem to be the hobby standard. I bought 2 Blue Plus and 2 Coral Plus.

Duvallj · 11/29/2013, 10:54 PM

Any brand will work. That said some brands are better than others. Ati, kz, uvl are some good brands off the top of my head.

The trick will be supplementing your metal halide spectrum. One combination is lower K metal halides and improve the colors by using like aquablues/straight actinics for the t5's. This gives decent coloration and good growth.
Also you can pick higher K metal halides and supplement with the t5s like the purple bulbs/more actinic/more full spectrum bulbs. You can really maximize coloration.

Capt'n T · 11/29/2013, 10:55 PM

Thanks, I'll check that out!

Capt'n T · 11/29/2013, 11:02 PM

Duvallj, thanks for that, I never thought to raise or lower the halide and corresponding T5.

11/29/2013, 10:36 PM	#1
Capt'n T Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 170	Replacement Bulbs Question I have a light fixture, 48 inch Outer Orbit 2x250w 10K HQI-MH w/ 4x54W T5 HO & 18 Lunar Lights, that is discontinued. I have had this fixture in storage going on 3 years. I am starting up my tank again and want to use this (I know LED's are the way to go, but I paid 1000.00 for the orbit). I can't seem to find much on replacement bulbs other than they are 54W. Can I go with any brand of T5's or do I have to stick with the slimPaq brand? __________________ Teneele "The only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" Current Tank Info: 75g w/ 29g sump

11/29/2013, 10:50 PM	#2
thefranchizehof Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: North Canton, OH Posts: 144	I will tell you what I just had beaten into my head over the last couple days. Look at my thread I started called "ATI T5 bulb combos". ATI bulbs are the BEST. I just bought 4 tonight but they seem to be the hobby standard. I bought 2 Blue Plus and 2 Coral Plus. __________________ Sean "I don't always go to reef shops, but when I do, I spend money I shouldn't."

11/29/2013, 10:54 PM	#3
Duvallj Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 379	Any brand will work. That said some brands are better than others. Ati, kz, uvl are some good brands off the top of my head. The trick will be supplementing your metal halide spectrum. One combination is lower K metal halides and improve the colors by using like aquablues/straight actinics for the t5's. This gives decent coloration and good growth. Also you can pick higher K metal halides and supplement with the t5s like the purple bulbs/more actinic/more full spectrum bulbs. You can really maximize coloration. __________________ If it's not broke, fix it til it does. -Managment proverb Current Tank Info: 180gal softie reef

11/29/2013, 10:55 PM	#4
Capt'n T Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 170	Thanks, I'll check that out! __________________ Teneele "The only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" Current Tank Info: 75g w/ 29g sump

11/29/2013, 11:02 PM	#5
Capt'n T Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 170	Duvallj, thanks for that, I never thought to raise or lower the halide and corresponding T5. __________________ Teneele "The only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" Current Tank Info: 75g w/ 29g sump