CoralVue T5 bulbs

[davejnz]

I ordered a couple of CoralVue's T5 bulbs and they came in the mail today :D
The 50/50 looks bright and is a typical 10kish flourescent,real similiar to a PC 10k IMO.
The actinic i was really surprised with,it looks identical to the ATI blue bulb.Not a true actinic bulb at all,more of a 20k(450nm) bulb.At nearly half the price of the ATI,it seems like an affordable alternative to the more expensive german ATI bulbs.
Time will tell,but any flourescent that can make an Iwasaki look blue gets my vote.

[perpetual98]

Very cool. Is that a new product from Coralvue?

[davejnz]

yeah,there pretty new,they're offering really cheap T5 retro's as well,I think the 2x54w retro's are only $105.Those are the 4' bulbs,relfectors,ballast,and waterproof endcaps.The bulbs,I only paid $15 for which is alot cheaper than the ATI($29).

[perpetual98]

How do you like them? I'm after some 4' T5 but I'm leary because I heard tha the only way that the T5 are really worth it is if you get the parabolic reflectors like Icecap or Sunlight Supply.

[davejnz]

The bulbs i really like alot,the CV actinic looks just like the ATI blue(my favorite T5act)Its actually a 20k bulb(450nm) which compliments 10k MH's nicely(420nm)The reflectors in the CV retro are parabolic.I'm using the SS relectors and they have cheap bulbhoders that rust,i hear the IC reflectors are much better quality.
I havn't bought the CV retro yet but after the 75 project is finished,I'm gonna sell my 36"T5retro and buy one.

http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/itemdetail.asp?itemid=LT-CV-T5RK2-4