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**wesleydnunder** · 07-16-2009, 03:19 PM

I ran two 36" double 96W Coralife fixtures on my 125 hi tech planted for 6 or 7 years and really liked the results. In fact, I'm hanging on to them for another eventual tank. If I remember right, they were around $325 back then. T5HOs with good reflectors would probably be a cheaper, and some folks would feel, better option for you in the long run as lamps and replacement ballasts are cheaper for the T5HOs.

Mark

**kwc1974** · 07-16-2009, 03:55 PM

T5HO are more effecent than CF, I like both but am leaning towards the T5HO now.

The whole watts per gallon is deceptive when comparing T5 to CF, so do not let the CF higher wattage fool you. They will both give approximatly the same light.

I like the AquaticLife, I have the 24" unit with the timer on it. This is a great unit and hangs easily. Also the timer on it is nice. The reflectors are really good. I bought this to replace a 24" Coralife CF fixture and have been happy ever since.

Long of it short. I would use either system again (Coralife or AquaticLife) Both are good, but for now I prefer the T5HO for its flexibility in blub selection and cost.

Ok that is not true, I really prefer MH but that option was not in the question.

**Matt in Houston** · 07-16-2009, 03:56 PM

You know I like the T5 HO best...go for it!

**Mzungu** · 07-16-2009, 04:20 PM

I like the T5-HO fixtures you picked, and would probably lean toward the AquaticLife fixture, although I'm a bit confused on the bulbs included...If it's truly 4-700+nm lamps, and 4 actinic lamps, that doesn't seem ideal for a planted tank. Usually you want a combo that produces full spectrum, and up to about 670nm. This one is just actinic and something weird that's above 700nm. BUT, it's cheaper than the Current fixture, it has an awesome timer built in, and since it's cheaper you could always order some other bulbs, like Giesemann or the like.

**kwc1974** · 07-16-2009, 04:25 PM

Yeah, I did not like the original bulb mix. AquaticLife is marketing towards the Salt Water side of the hobby. The don't realize that planted tank people spend almost as much as reefers do. The 4-700+nm are nice, but the actinic are ...well...actinic. swap them out.

**Mzungu** · 07-16-2009, 04:33 PM

Plants use the actinic part of them spectrum, too. I've never heard of plants using anything above 700nm, though...lol. I'd probably keep a couple of the actinics and swap the others out.

**kwc1974** · 07-16-2009, 04:44 PM

OK, I think this is my misunderstanding of this. Our hobby tends to lend itself to the kevlin rating. So the 10,000k bulbs are nice, the the actinics are not (visably anyways). Reading the instructions they describe the bulbs as 10,000k, but bulb packaging and the timer has 700+nm. Either way, my plants love the AquaticLife bulbs so I have no complaints about them and would recomend them.

The Actinics, I just don't like the color, even with 10,000k bulbs in the mix. But that is a preferance.

**Complexity** · 07-16-2009, 10:12 PM

I'll echo the recommendation for T5HO. If you're going to go to all this expense and trouble, get the right bulbs. I've never heard of anyone using actinic bulbs with a planted tank.

Do you have CO2? If not, I'd seriously consider it. It's probably the best thing you could do for a planted tank.

Watch for the size of the swords you have selected. Most people find that they completely take over a tank. You have a great size tank that can handle swords, but don't try to crowd them in too closely.

Take pictures and start a journal so we can all enjoy your tank as it matures! 125g planted tank would be great!

**Zulaab** · 07-16-2009, 10:33 PM

Hopefully Geoff will stop by here and tell you how he feels about his 72 Inch 8x39 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture w/ 6 Lunar LEDs he has over one of his tanks at this house.

Personally since this is going to be a planted tank, I would remove the actinic lights and replace them with 36" D-D Giesemann Powerchrome Aquaflora T5 High Output Fluorescent Lamp (Marine Depot dont sell the size you are going to be looking for so you will need to go to another website and pick up the lights from there)

Since your fixture comes with 4x 10k and 4x actinic you will to get 4 of the above lights.

**mhx** · 07-16-2009, 10:36 PM

I think I am going to get the 72 Inch 8x39 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture w/ 6 Lunar LEDs

Is 312watts (2.4wpg) enough to grow just about everything in my list above?

What bulbs should i look at swaping in
GL2113D-D Giesemann Powerchrome AquaBlue+ 39W 36 inch T5 High Output Fluorescent Lamp $21.99GL2123D-D Giesemann Powerchrome Midday 39W 36 inch T5 High Output Fluorescent Lamp $20.99GL2133D-D Giesemann Powerchrome Actinic+ 39W 36 inch T5 High Output Fluorescent Lamp $22.99GL2143D-D Giesemann Powerchrome Pure Actinic 39W 36 inch T5 High Output Fluorescent

**Zulaab** · 07-16-2009, 10:41 PM

36" D-D Giesemann Powerchrome Aquaflora T5 High Output Fluorescent Lamp

NOTE :: !!!! Marine Depot dont sell the aquaflora T5 in 36" right now. You will need to goto another website and pick those up. Shop around before you make the final pull of the trigger.. several websites (incl Marine Depot) charges for lightbulb shipments because they have to be shipped in more well packed boxes... Just skip those websites and go somewhere where they dont charge... because then you know they do this all the time and know how to handle your product.

**mhx** · 07-16-2009, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by Zulaab View Post

Personally since this is going to be a planted tank, I would remove the actinic lights and replace them with 36" D-D Giesemann Powerchrome Aquaflora T5 High Output Fluorescent Lamp (Marine Depot dont sell the size you are going to be looking for so you will need to go to another website and pick up the lights from there)

Since your fixture comes with 4x 10k and 4x actinic you will to get 4 of the above lights.

You must of been typing while I was posting my reply. Perfect just the suggestion I was looking for.

Also, Yes I will be running Co2..I have 2 nice pieces of drift wood. One is very stump like and is my center piece of my tank. The other is also pretty large. My camera doesnt take good pictures due to the lack of tank light. 'matt in houston' just helped me get the 2080 filter & UV sterilizer connected and we started my fishless cycle tonight. Not much too see at this point.

Here is a pic of tank/stand after its navy blue background paint job, all tho its hard to see the paint color without right light

**ddaquaria** · 07-16-2009, 10:46 PM

Originally posted by Zulaab View Post

36" D-D Giesemann Powerchrome Aquaflora T5 High Output Fluorescent Lamp

NOTE :: !!!! Marine Depot dont sell the aquaflora T5 in 36" right now. You will need to goto another website and pick those up. Shop around before you make the final pull of the trigger.. several websites (incl Marine Depot) charges for lightbulb shipments because they have to be shipped in more well packed boxes... Just skip those websites and go somewhere where they dont charge... because then you know they do this all the time and know how to handle your product.

I prefer reefgeek for my aquafloras.

**mhx** · 07-16-2009, 11:14 PM

Here are few more pictures after tonights work. Very crappy images due to poor light

how do you like my wood and its placement?

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my brain light shorted, help me pick a light for my 125g

my brain light shorted, help me pick a light for my 125g

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