[cokipoint]

Does anyone have an opinion on which bulbs are better? I am using T5's. Can you also stated your reason why?

[WILLIAM1]

I have used the Guisemann bulbs since I bought my fixture. They seem to be great, good color great par. There seems to be alot of talk on the ATI bulbs though. Which Im going to switch to for the next round. I have a few freinds using these bulbs with good success and they swear there better in par.

[cokipoint]

What is PAR?

[WILLIAM1]

PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation), a range of light from 400 to 700 nanometers where photosynthesis takes place. The units are micro-Einsteins per meter squared. Which all corals need to grow.

People will use a PAR meter to measure this. Its usailly high near the top of the tank and lowing as you get to the bottom. Depending on the spectrum of light will determine how high your PAR is deeper in your tank.

Most people with 30" plus deep tanks use MH just to get higher par deeper in the tank. The MH lights are very intense.

[pogodzib]

I've only used Giesemann bulbs in the past as well, but I plan on trying out some ATI bulbs when I replace my current T5HO bulbs to see if they have better par like others are saying and to see how the coral coloration compares.

[NoFx]

at the forum i usualy goto, google "T5 lamp PAR readings"

what the grimreefer posted

ATI

Sun Pro 357
Aquablue 336
Blue Plus 311
Actinic 137

D&D/Giesemann

Midday 325
Aquablue 324
Actinic Plus 264
Pure Actinic 157

UVL

Aqua sun 345
Actinic White 293
Super Actinic 210

AquaZ

Sun Pro 285
Ocean Pro 323
Blue Pro 266

Helios

Daylight 309
Super Blue 225

Current Sun Paq

Daylight 10K 272
Blue 252

GE Daylight 340

[cokipoint]

Good info. Are the PAR numbers standard for each bulb or is each tank different.

[pogodzib]

Par numbers vary with each setup - reflectors and ballasts also make bulbs behave differently.

[NoFx]

Originally Posted by pogodzib

Par numbers vary with each setup - reflectors and ballasts also make bulbs behave differently.

agreed, the only thing that makes a T5 is the reflector. single parabolic reflectors like the tek's and ice caps are prefered cos they triple the amount of light. as oposed to the straight across reflectors (the ones that come standard with perfecto strip lights and other T8 and T12 setups) also your right, ballasts do play a big part. a cheap electronic ballast wont drive the lights nearly as much as an ice cap...

but as far as i know those lamps were all tested one by one with the same reflector/ballast/and tank. they are more or less used for reference.

[pogodzib]

Originally Posted by NoFx

but as far as i know those lamps were all tested one by one with the same reflector/ballast/and tank. they are more or less used for reference.

FYI - I'd consider any tests done by the Grimreefer or Sanjay to be very accurate and would trust them over most other people's results. When it comes to T5HO lighting, the Grimreefer is probably the most knowledgable reef keeper around.

[cokipoint]

I have a 150 tank 12 bulbs 6 on each side. I intended on using on 1 side: 2 actinic+,2 aquablue,, 1 midday and 1 pure actinic from Giesemann this set uo would be duplicated on the other side of the light fixture.

But since the ATI's have a higher PAR on some of the bulbs can I substitute the Sun Pro for the Midday and the blue plus for the actinic+.

[holiday]

I have the Current bulbs that came with my Nova Pro and I am in the market to change them. I was looking at the Geisman but have heard people say to try the ATI.

Are you looking to have higher numbers in PAR value for better growth? I have never heard of PAR value before - sorry for being stupid.

[holiday]

Forgot to mention I have the standard 3 460 actinic and 3 10,000K. Stick with the same or try another combo of bulb types?

Thanks for the info. Noel

[NoFx]

Originally Posted by pogodzib

FYI - I'd consider any tests done by the Grimreefer or Sanjay to be very accurate and would trust them over most other people's results. When it comes to T5HO lighting, the Grimreefer is probably the most knowledgable reef keeper around.

oh I know,but i didnt want my first few posts to read like (this is right no matter what others say) i know grim and sanjay spend massive amounts of time playing with multiple bulbs reflectors and so forth. and give them a ton of credit. i was not trying to discredit them nor did i want to make the remark of saying thats its 100 percent accurate to avoid starting a debate incase other people got different par numbers with the same bulbs.

[NoFx]

Originally Posted by holiday

Forgot to mention I have the standard 3 460 actinic and 3 10,000K. Stick with the same or try another combo of bulb types?

Thanks for the info. Noel

that depends, do you like the current look of the lighting in your tank? if you'd like a slightly bluer you could try changing out the 10 k's for the ATI aquablue specials. i know i have 2 of the 10 k's and find them to be white with a hint of yellow. the aquablue specials are white with a hint of blue. all depends on the color you are shooting for

[NoFx]

Originally Posted by holiday

I have the Current bulbs that came with my Nova Pro and I am in the market to change them. I was looking at the Geisman but have heard people say to try the ATI.

Are you looking to have higher numbers in PAR value for better growth? I have never heard of PAR value before - sorry for being stupid.

higher par numbers will help with SOME growth but not always. as you know some corals like less light as oposed to others. so having a higher PAR number wont help. unless your keeping a SPS dominated tank then the higher the better. i have a mixed reef and a few of my LPS's i had to shade under a few over hangs. because they were getting to much light.