T5 lamp PAR readings

[The Grim Reefer]

From what i have read in numerous posts and tests the par number for the kz line is as follows:

-New gen is 330 a true 15,000k bulb that burns into a little whiter after 6 months
-coral light was 343 the highest par of any t5 bulb i have seen but a bit yellower then the aquablue from ati (10,000k)
-superblue ia 310-320 about the exact same as the ati blue plus and look pretty similar (20,000k)
-fiji purple is 325

Again depending on the fixture used the age of the bulb and test variables its going to varry but the kz bulbs have been proven to have the around the same par as ATI.

Seeing as how the same company (Sylvania) supposedly makes both lamps I am not surprised but in my own testing the Koral light and Aquablue had the same look and PAR. New Gen was less PAR but obviously more blue. Can't see a dimes worth of difference betweeen the Fiji and the ATI lamp either. Could be KZ made a change after they brought out the new generation.

I know ATI recently changed their lamps to have a little more PAR. Not sure I could see a big difference in the look but I was just looking and not running them over a tank. I gave the lamps to a guy who swears they look better on his tank. I think perhaps a little more pop in fluorescent greens.

 

[db_triggerfish]

Aqua Science T5 are on sale 50% off, any par level and K rating on them?

I getting back into the hobby, I picked up a T5 HO Deep Blue Solar Xtreme lamp, 24". Mostly because price and has a near silent fan which most 24" fixtures do not. Anyway would like to replace stock bulbs with better par and color.

Thanks,

 

[chris88]

In a growth test done on reef builders aqua science t5's had signifcantly better growth and color then ati.

-Aqua science 15,000k (more like 11,000k) is about the same as an aqua blue or kz coral light
- Aqua science 17,500k duo (is more like 15,000k with a tiny bit of visble red/pink to it) par is around 320
-Aqua science 22,000k is just like the ati blue plus or the kz super blue but maybe a tiny bit more blue to it but not much of a difference at all. par is around 320 as well.

 

[mark54321]

Aqua Science T5 are on sale 50% off, any par level and K rating on them?

I getting back into the hobby, I picked up a T5 HO Deep Blue Solar Xtreme lamp, 24". Mostly because price and has a near silent fan which most 24" fixtures do not. Anyway would like to replace stock bulbs with better par and color.

Thanks,

where did you see those bulbs for 50% off ? I need to get new bulbs

 

[rtparty]

In a growth test done on reef builders aqua science t5's had signifcantly better growth and color then ati.

-Aqua science 15,000k (more like 11,000k) is about the same as an aqua blue or kz coral light
- Aqua science 17,500k duo (is more like 15,000k with a tiny bit of visble red/pink to it) par is around 320
-Aqua science 22,000k is just like the ati blue plus or the kz super blue but maybe a tiny bit more blue to it but not much of a difference at all. par is around 320 as well.

Are you referring to the INFAMOUS test between ATI and AquaScience where it puts one set of bulbs over one side of the tank and then the other brand on the opposite side?

You do know that it was a rigged test, right? It was later found out that the "impartial, non-biased" person running the test was buddies(maybe even family) with the owner of AquaScience.

Just thought I would pass along the info.

 

[db_triggerfish]

where did you see those bulbs for 50% off ? I need to get new bulbs

reefgeek

 

[chris88]

I didn't realize they had a biased interest in the study. I have used both aqua science and ati bulbs and like them both.

Are you referring to the INFAMOUS test between ATI and AquaScience where it puts one set of bulbs over one side of the tank and then the other brand on the opposite side?

You do know that it was a rigged test, right? It was later found out that the "impartial, non-biased" person running the test was buddies(maybe even family) with the owner of AquaScience.

Just thought I would pass along the info.

 

[oscar.millan]

Sorry, not sure if I missed it, but how are you taking there measurements? What is your method?

 

[rtparty]

I didn't realize they had a biased interest in the study. I have used both aqua science and ati bulbs and like them both.

Yeah I remember reading that study a couple years ago and researching it a little more.

I have never used Aqua Science bulbs but I know that they are good bulbs and will work just fine. When Reefgeek put them up for 50%, I was about ready to drop money on a few of them to try out. When I called Reefgeek, they were out of my size.

 

[chris88]

I have tried them all and i like the AS duo and the 22,000k is very nice as well. I didn't notice anything different with my sps corals with them compared to the ATI bulbs. I did however notice a better growth rate and color with KZ bulbs.

 

[PAS Photography]

I saw someone posted on the wavepoint bulbs and dont see that anyone has replied yet. I was curious about these bulbs too. Are they a decent brand and do they have good PAR ratings?
I am due for new bulbs, i went off grims suggestions way earlier in another thread and really liked the look.

Thanks
Paul

 

[jacksonpt]

OK, Here's the latest readings taken with the lamps running on a triad ballast. The numbers are only good for comparison here. Previous readings I took were with a different ballast and reflector so don't try to compare the two.

ATI

Sun Pro 357
Aquablue 336
Blue Plus 311
Actinic 137

D&D/Giesemann

Midday 325
Aquablue 324
Actinic Plus 264
Pure Actinic 157

4.5 years later, are these numbers still accurate for comparison purposes? Have the bulbs changed at all over time, especially the Geisemanns? I have an array of Geisemann bulbs at my house and have been playing around with different combination trying to get the best combination of color and intensity. This info is REALLY helpful, if it's still accurate.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

4.5 years later, are these numbers still accurate? Have the bulbs changed at all over time, especially the Geisemanns?

ATI juiced up their Blue Plus a little and I no longer recommend UVL lamps. Other than that I really don't know. I don't even run T5's any more so I wont be spending any more of my money on test subjects.

 

[popsock]

Nice thread, well done. I've been using multiple T5s to grow SPS since 2004, and remember that the US just wasn't using T5s at all at that time. Now look at you!

Pretty much nothing good has come from the UK in this technology it's all pretty much German. There is one exception, and it's a brand that doesn't seem to be available in the USA - Arcadia.

Arcadia are a UK based company that now has decent T5 lamps. When I tested T5 lamps to death about 5 years ago, their lamps were not very good, but both myself and a close friend of mine (both T5 nuts) are using them these days.

The advantages are good PAR and excellent "natural" colour. We both use them at a ratio of 3 whites to one Blue, or 5 whites/3 blues. I wouldn't be surprised to find many people wanted more blues in that ratio, but the two of us prefer a natural look as opposed to flooding the tank with colour.

They only produce a marine white and an actinic. Both very good. They don't mess about with purples, but their white does have an unusual "pink" element in it, especially whilst burning in. Sounds horrid? Actually very nice.

I'd post some for you to play with, but they'd just get broken I think.

Cheers! :wavehand:

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Seeing as how the same company (Sylvania) supposedly makes both lamps I am not surprised but in my own testing the Koral light and Aquablue had the same look and PAR. New Gen was less PAR but obviously more blue. Can't see a dimes worth of difference betweeen the Fiji and the ATI lamp either. Could be KZ made a change after they brought out the new generation.

I know ATI recently changed their lamps to have a little more PAR. Not sure I could see a big difference in the look but I was just looking and not running them over a tank. I gave the lamps to a guy who swears they look better on his tank. I think perhaps a little more pop in fluorescent greens.

You are saying the KZ New Gen gave more green pop than the AquaBlue Special? Or the KZ Coral Light?
I am trying to decide between these two to replace my AquaBlue Special.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You are saying the KZ New Gen gave more green pop than the AquaBlue Special? Or the KZ Coral Light?
I am trying to decide between these two to replace my AquaBlue Special.

No. The Koral Light it about identical to the Aquablue. The New Gen is like a cross between an Aquablue and a Blue Plus. Neither would brighten the look of your tank. Either of the Daylights I mentioned in the other thread will do a good job of that.

Should you think the GE or Giesemann lamps go too far the Aquaticlife 10K or Aquascience 15K SPECIAL are options that are more of a pure white but I think the GE is your best option to start with.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Thanks.
Would you reccomend I try a New Gen in place of one of my four Blue+ as well?
Making it:
3 Blue+
1 Purple Plus
1 KZ New Gen
1 GE 6500K

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Doing 2 lamp changes is going to be more dramatic a change. Not saying it wouldn't be just what you are looking for. If you are getting the lamps local I'd start with the just the GE. If you are ordering online get both and play.

 

[Mixed_Reef]

OOOOPS!!!!!!
Forgot the UVL's

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

These numbers are great and all but, what distance are these readings from?? No where has it been posted so I'm kinda confused and don't have much to compare them to! I've been reading a lot about LED's and there is always a distance and same with MH but this is kinda confusing. Please explain and also what spread the bulbs get. Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Those numbers are just to compare the lamps listed. Not other sources of light.