T5 BULB SELECTION + ARC T5HO Bulbs - Good or Bad choice of bulb question?

The Grizz · #1 03-02-2010, 02:27 AM

Wondering if anyone has ever used ARC brand of T5HO bulb's. Are they any good for a reef tank that is 18" deep. I have 4 - 48" 4 bulb Odyssea fixture's for the 8' tank. 2 power cord's & switch's per fixture, so I was thinking of using the following per side:

2 - Actinic+
2 - 10,000K
2 - 12,000K
2 - 14,000K

OPINION'S????What are others using that have an 8 bulb fixture???

dreef · #2 03-02-2010, 03:06 AM

I bought ARC off ebay when i first started using T5's.There a cheap bulb not quality like german bulbs.I swear by ATI,but can no longer get them so i switched to aquascience and am pleased with them too.Any german bulbs are top notch quality and par.

The Grizz · #3 03-02-2010, 03:20 AM

Thanks I saw them on ebay as well and just wanted to know if they were crap or not. I would love to switch to all Aqua Sci or Giesemann but 16 bulbs will cost a crap load.

gwhit · #4 03-03-2010, 09:35 PM

Just came across this thread and had to respond. I do not recommend these bulbs. I bought ARC bulbs after reading someone's comment that they were comparable to Giesemann and were manufactured in Canada. I ordered them from the operator of the Ottawa based marine forum. I was running the t-5 (Giesemanns at that time) on ice-cap and workhorse ballasts. I replaced the workhorse ballast at the same time and one of the bulbs blew as soon as I switched it on so I put the used Giesemann back in. When I came home from work the next day the tank was dark and I was horrified to find the one of the bulbs had cracked and the end cap had melted to the point it had to be replaced. Obviously the bulb had caught fire and somehow the whole fixture didn't go up in flames. So I put in another of my old bulbs and watched them carefully for a few more days. No more fires but the bulbs quickly deteriorated developing long black marks at both ends as if they were burning up. I replaced them all with a complete new set of Giesemanns that operated without any issues. I wrote to the vendor and after waiting forever for a reply come some sorry excuse that it had to be the ballast (even though the Giesemanns had no problem with the ballasts). I made a claim through my credit card purchase protection program and got full reimbursement for the bulbs so I didn't pursue the vendor any further. But I will never deal with that guy again and do what I can to warn people about these bulbs.

Now in terms of what to recommend. My LFS recommended ATI bulbs and I could be appear. In my opinion beats Giesemann by a mile and pulls the best colours from your corals. Fiji Purple bulb is recommended to enhance the reds.

Hope this gives some food for thought

TheMikey · #5 03-03-2010, 10:08 PM

I would suggest reviewing your bulb combination. It's going to be very white and not going to give your inhabitants much *pop*. I'd suggest swapping the 10K or 12K with a 22K Geissman or Aquascience. You won't be losing a substantial amount of PAR and will make your tank nicer to look at.

Just my $0.02.

Millepora_Maniac · #6 03-04-2010, 12:05 AM

Go with Korralen-Zuct T5's they are by far the best, Look at Canuckgod420's 72 g rebuild thread and you'll see why!! Unbelievable colour!

If you can't get them, than go with Geisemann, second best in my opinion. Cheers-MM