Please critique my lighting plans

[Larry Grenier]

My tank is a 65 which is 36"/18"/24" LWH. I have a TEK 6-T5 fixture over it and will need to replace the bulbs soon. The unit has two ballasts labeled B1 & B2 below. I'm hoping the UV Lighting (formerly known as URI) T5s look as good as their VHOs.

 

Watcha think?

 

[Ne0eN]

If I were designing this, I would put both Super Actinic bulbs on B2 and the day bulbs on B1 (10K & 12K). I would then adjust the photo period to:

 

B1: 1PM - midnite

B2: 2PM - 11PM

 

This way you're creating dusk/dawn effect... Just my $0.02 worth...

 

-Rob

[BeltwayBandit]

 

This way you're creating dusk/dawn effect... Just my $0.02 worth...

 

-Rob

 

I run a similar configuration with my VHO Actinics and my 250W MH. I like the dawn/dusk effect of the Actinics.

[Larry Grenier]

This way you're creating dusk/dawn effect... Just my $0.02 worth...

 

Yea, I thought of that but when it's just actinics it looks a little artificial to me; that is if the T5 actinics look the same as the VHO actinics.

 

Thanks for the input.

[HowardofNOVA]

Larry,

I'm running out the door to Reston, off Rt 28, any chance your home and I can swing in and see your tank?

Howard

 

Call me on the cell with address and ok or not?

703-899-6209

[steveoutlaw]

Larry,

If you are using a TEK fixture, they are made (at least mine is) so that the two outer lights run on one switch and the rest run off of the second switch. If you're trying for the dusk to dawn thing, you might want to consider putting the actinics on the 2 outermost sockets (or whichever are controlled by the first switch).

 

Steve