used t5 bulbs

supertech99

supertech99

New member
Hey guys,
I have been reading a lot of stuff on light spectrum and t5 lamp combinations and am thinking of really getting into playing with my bulbs but I wanted to try to find some used lamps to check out color before dropping nearly $30 per lamp for some!

The lamps I am looking for are the ATI procolor, the UVL 75.25 (also called their 14k lamp), a KZ Fiji Purple, ATI Blue plus, ATI blue plus special, and a GE 6700.

I am thinking of loading the following mis into my 8 lamp setup:
Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus Special
UVL 75.25
ATI procolor/KZ Fiji purple
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus Special
ATI Blue Plus

From all I can tell this should still give me a 14-20k color for viewing pleasure but also represent the red, yellow, green, and purple to maximize growth.

Does anyone have any of these used lamps that I could try out or have these lamps on their tanks that I could look at for color?
Thanks

Also fyi any of you procolor lovers....ATI dropped that lamp, get them while you can.
 
Just FYI the par ratings on these are as follows at 54 watts

ATI Blue Plus - 311
ATI Blue Plus Special
UVL 75.25 - 254
ATI procolor/KZ Fiji purple - 215/330 (much higher with the fiji)
GE 6500K - 340
ATI Blue Plus Special
ATI Blue Plus - 311

can't find any info on the ATI blue plus special. Probably close to the blue plus though.
 
I've used most of those bulbs except the special bulb on my previous tank. Gave my tank a very nice look and was getting nice growth on all corals including SPS. I doubt you will be disappointed.
 
thanks Adrian,
With 8 lamps over just a 75gal i have the luxury of chosing different lamps based on spectrum as there is PLENTY of par for all my animals. My lamps right now are all over 12 months old and need replacing but still getting good growth as even with a 30% decrease, I still have a lot of par. I want to make sure that the yellows, greens, and reds pop to full potentional
 
mvlk,
What did you think of the GE 6500k? I do not want to look at a pee yellow tank...thats the one that concerns me the most!
 
From what I have seen on nearly all FTS that i have seen with GE 6500, if you have 8 bulbs you have enough room to counteract that yellow tint.

this is what I am going to do on my 8 bulb, when it is time to change lamps.

4 ATI Blue+
1 ATI Aquablue
1 GE 6500
2 Fiji purple(maybe only 1 Fiji and 1 UVL Actinic White) The Actinic White is about 1/2 way between a Fiji and Aquablue.
 
supertech99 said:
mvlk,
What did you think of the GE 6500k? I do not want to look at a pee yellow tank...thats the one that concerns me the most!
Click to expand...

If you don't want pee yellow, don't use that lamp. That lamp is super yellow and I found I could never get it balanced out. The extra PAR you'd gain by using a bulb in that part of the spectrum will be easily offset by having to replace other 10,000-15,000K bulbs with actinics to get back a bluer/whiter look.

The worst part is, I don't feel like the yellow really enhances any of the colors (unless you have some hair algae... it'll really make that pop :lmao:). I had a pinker looking bulb once (it was a geisman but I can't remember the lamp name) and had the same problems balancing it out, but at least that little bit of pink helped bring out the warmer colors (reds, yellows) in some of my corals.

Edit: And this is just my opinion (as with most things in lighting). The best thing you can do is try it (as with most things in lighting).
 
I agree with AdrianBryce... with 6 or more bulbs, you will not notice. The ATI Blue bulbs counteract the look no problem.
 
that is what I am afraid of but I have seen a lot of peps using them to bring out the yellow...uuuggghhh decisions!
 
I am pretty sure the fiji is going to be a more intense bulb, hence why I may only go with one and a UVL actinic white.

I will probably buy all 9 bulbs and see what I like better, 2 purples or one.

I also have like 6 months to accumulate these bulbs too.
 
The Fiji is pretty intense. I can not recall any combos in use with more than one used. Someone probably has, but I personally would not.

Now if someone would just make these bulbs in the 18" size so I could get some better lighting without buying a new fixture. :( (Pity party for one)
 
Just FWIW, I absolutely LOVE the Blue Plus. It is the one bulb I don't think I will ever run my tank without as long as I am running T5s. To me, it is a blue actinic, so to speak.

Also, my UVL 75/25 is a very white, but also very pink bulb.

Brandon
 
i wouldnt shy away from the yellow. i do heavy blue and actinic and then use one yellow bulb and it is perfect in my opinion. it is the only one bright enough to counteract that much blue anyway. also i have found that the yellow seems to bring out several colors better than a white can. i have not tried the ati or seen any in person. i use geismann and i hear they are comparable.
 
I have some of those and some other used ones out in the shop if you want to come look I will give you the used ones.
 
Thats awesome wayne, I know you have been using T5's for a long time and would love to pick your brain about color ideas as well! Have you ever used a GE 6500k on one of your tanks?
 
yes and have some new ones but I didn't like them and I had a few other try them with the same results. I will prob use those as shop lights or if I start growing some green stuff. :) opps I hope rhett is not looking at this thread:)
 
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