what should I get

I need to replace both bulbs in my 24" T5 dual bulb lamp. What do you suggest I go with?

Actinic, 6,700 K, 10,000 K? Combo?

Looking to house soft coral and possibly some stony coral down the road.

Coralife T5 Fluorescent Replacement Lamps (bulbs)

 

If you are going with Coralife an equal mix of 10000K and actinic.

How many bulbs and how long is the fixture? Is it high output or normal output?

 

2 bulbs, 24". I assume its normal output. I've had the unit for 2 years, and the lights probably have over a year of life on them.

 

I think they are high output bulbs if it is a Coralife fixture. If you are thinking SPS in the future I would suggest getting an ATI Coral Plus and an ATI Blue Plus.

 

What are the price differences? I will more than likely be upgrading to a 55 gallon tank (or larger depending on prices) before the end of the year, so I will be purchasing a new lighting unit in the future and converting my current tank (and lighting unit) into a refugium. Long story short, I may stick with soft corals until that conversion takes place.

 

Prices will probably be pretty close if I remember right. You might be able to find better deals on the Coralife bulbs though. The ATI bulbs are a higher quality bulb.

 

If I were to turn my current display into a refugium, would a higher quality bulb be necessary?

 

No any decent bulb will do. Use bulbs in the 5000K to 6500K range for the refuge.

 

That puts me in a bit of a bind. I was going to purchase a 10,000 K and an actinic to use for the next 6 months or so before upgrading. They aren't terribly expensive though, so it shouldn't be much of an issue.

 

They will work fine in the refuge until it is time to change them.