Attention all MAASTards, I need your input!!!

[glennr1978]

I'm downgrading my 40 breeder to a 20L. I've pretty much got everything figured out except for one thing, I'm going to use 2x's 24w T5's but I have no idea what bulb combo to go with.

I've got the ballast (Icecap 430), and the reflectors (Icecap SLR's), now what bulbs should I get?

I plan to keep mostly softies, but I'm hoping to be able to keep some lower light SPS as well. I also would prefer light that is a little on the blue side. HELP ME!!!!!!!!

Here's a link to my DIY, AIO, foam wall, catastrophe waiting to happen thread.
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=202837&st=0

[cpreefguy]

Hmmm, tricky with only 2 bulbs to work with...
I really like the spectrum that the Korallen Zucht "New Generation" Coral Light produces, nice crisp white with a blue hue, comparable to a 14k. I'd probably run two of those.

[glennr1978]

Yeah that's the thing, it's going to be tough with just the 2 bulbs. I'll look into the KZ's, thanks for the info.

[cpreefguy]

No problem, I'll see what else I can come up with. The problem I ran into when trying to use 2 bulbs is that if you use one white, and one blue, you have a definite separation of colors in your tank...

[aggman]

hey glenn i got some giesemann actinics that i just bought and now don't need. i'm not sure if you can use them, but if you want them their yours. then you would just need some daylight bulbs.

oh and when are you breaking down the tank. not too soon i hope. give me a call later and i can swing by and buy some stuff.

~alex

[justahobby]

I wished I had gone with four bulbs and I will soon. When using two diff. bulbs there is a real separation of color as sean put it. I went with geisemann procolor and blue plus. The colors are amazing. I'm also not looking for coral growth on the 20L that you will be wanting. Sorry I can't give you better help, but I can tell ya what not to try :wink_smile:

[Mr Cob]

If running two T5 bulbs only, I would also install a LED PowerBrite (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/graphics/00000001/powerbrite-dual.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.aquabuys.com/page/aqb/PROD/cur_led_dual&usg=__tOeK1A_nyZdCsdtyKqHMJVZ3Uew=&h=250&w=311&sz=9&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=8ttXxEadZe2HbM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=117&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpower%2Bbrite%2Bled%26hl%3Den%26safe% 3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1) light (it comes with 4, 1 watt LED blue lights) that will help you get some color and will allow for longer actinic viewing times. It will also add the shimmer (as seen in MH) that you do not get from T5 bulbs.

These are also more affordable now, they were like $80 when they first came out.

[Kristy]

If running two T5 bulbs only, I would also install a LED PowerBrite (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/graphics/00000001/powerbrite-dual.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.aquabuys.com/page/aqb/PROD/cur_led_dual&usg=__tOeK1A_nyZdCsdtyKqHMJVZ3Uew=&h=250&w=311&sz=9&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=8ttXxEadZe2HbM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=117&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpower%2Bbrite%2Bled%26hl%3Den%26safe% 3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1) light (it comes with 4, 1 watt LED blue lights) that will help you get some color and will allow for longer actinic viewing times. It will also add the shimmer (as seen in MH) that you do not get from T5 bulbs.

These are also more affordable now, they were like $80 when they first came out.

Hey - do you have a link for these? Might like to look at some myself!:)

[recoiljpr]

Hey - do you have a link for these? Might like to look at some myself!:)

Problem with the powerbrite is they are not very strong LED's. So if you have a lot of watts on your T5s, the LED's will be outshined by the T5's. So on a 4+ bulb system, you probably wouldn't even notice the LED's.


Here is a google shopping search for them so you can take a look.

http://www.google.com/products?q=powerbrite+LED&aq=f

[glennr1978]

Thanks for the input everyone! The reason I'm only going with 2 bulbs is because that is all that will fit effectively. If you take a look at the link I posted you will see what I'm talking about.

Alex, the tank will be coming down in probably about 2 weeks. I don't have your # anymore since I got a new phone. PM me with your # and I will give you a call before I get rid of everything. Btw, thanks for the offer on the bulbs, I may take you up on them.

[glennr1978]

Okay, I went and mocked things up and it looks like I probably could squeeze in a third bulb. However, If I were to do that then only about half of the bulb would actually be over the tank (the SPS side) and the other half would basically be centered over the rear chambers I built.

Here's a couple of pics to show what I'm working with here.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/glennr1978/DSC03955.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/glennr1978/photo.jpg

[aggman]

pm sent.

~alex