Lighting

[Chase31]

Okay so im currently looking at lighting :D this is what i really like \
http://fishneedit.com/150w-mhl-with-2-x-2bulbs-2ft-f150222.html
now i dont really understand the whole color thing and the 800k and 20000k and stuff :s
any help?

[mseepman]

I have heard good things on the fishneedit stuff (for the price that is) so I imagine you will be happy with this. Go with the 20000k MH bulb and then split the T5's with blue and white.

In the future when you buy replacement bulbs (because theirs aren't great) you will want to start playing with your mix.

Note that what I suggested above will end up in a reasonably bluish tint in your tank. Their other bulb choices are for fresh water fish tanks.

[Chase31]

well thats what i was looking for, a really white from the MH and a little blue from the t5

[sleschwin]

wonder about the bulbs? looks like a sweet deal

[mseepman]

Just remember that our experience in this hobby has taught us that the higher quality the bulb, the more likely their "statement" about bulb color proves correct. As such, I suspect that the Fish Need it 20k bulb will be less blue and more white even though 20k should be very blue. Their blue T5 bulbs won't be "true Actinic" either, so that is more likely where you want to go on your first replacement set of bulbs.

I have a DIY fixture that is a mix of MH and T5HO. I use a 15K MH bulb and my mix of T5's is 1 KZ fiji purple, 1 Giesmann Actinic and 2 Aquascience 17500k. I like the look (a bluish white).

[Chase31]

well any t5 MH is better then my stock t8's :p planning to have the 4 t5's power on at 10am then the MH at 12am then the MH goes off at 8pm and the t5's at 10pm

so the t5's are 12 hours a day and the MH is 8 a day