T5 lamp PAR readings
 

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

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

Thanks for the info and your work Grim.


Chris

Thanks Grim! How's that 3k bulb doing in your tank and what do you think the par number on it is? Wondering If I should get one. I need to upgrade a midday sun bulb soon and might get a small s. gigantea carpet and see if I can keep one under it. Thanks again for your work :)

Grim, thanks for putting that altogether, its very informative.

I am planning on using a daylight bulb over the Aquablue. Do you have a preference between DD Midday and the GE Daylight?

Thanks!

awesome thanks grim

The GE 3000K lamp has more output than the daylight. I didn't retest it. For now I think I would go UVL sun light. The ATI Sun Pro is unavailable because they are changing the lamp.

Grim, which do you prefer, the ATI or the Giesmann bulbs?

ATI seems to have the better output now. The Geisemanns don't light up as close to the ends of the lamps as the ATI's either.

Thanks Grim, I've been putting off replacing my old ATI now Geismann bulbs. They are coming up on 18 months.

VERY nice work Grim!!

I'm sure you know, so what ballast are in my TEK5 fixture? Not trying to steel this thread. Just currious about how my fixture/ballast might hold up to these readings. Also what reflector are you using for the readings?

Thanks, UVL makes a new lamp called "sun light"?

I think the Tek fixture use a centium maybe, the retros use Triads. The lamps were in a Ice Cap reflector but the reflector would only have a minimal effect on output the way I measured them. The difference in output would be the same no matter what reflector they were sitting in.

I think its called aquasun or something like that.

i think they call it "Pepto Sun"

LOL

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

Yeah pepto-sun!

where these all the 54w bulbs?

Do you think the results should be the same for the 39w bulbs?

--Ray

GE daylight
 

any problem with the GE daylight? It seems to have pretty solid PAR, and an excellent price.

The PAR output on that UVL Aquasun is pretty impressive. I use one in my setup and am happy with the color, not as pink as the Actinic White IMO.

sorry for asking this, how often should you replace the ATI bulbs?

So those readings would be similar to bulbs ran off of a sunlight supply tek fixture? If not what can i expect?
Just purchased the 6 bulb 54 watt fixture, I like it alot, I had the icecap setup and sold off for this.
TIA

Yeah, 54 watt lamps. I suspect the different lengths will be the same.

Re: GE daylight
 

One of the things I liked about the sun was it brought out red and yellow colors. Now it is just white and has barely as much PAR as the Aquablues, it used to cream them. I guess it is OK if you want to have a more blue look.

Point of great debate. Anytime after a year is my opinion. You might be able to push them as long as 2 years. I think you just need to track growth and color and decide what is best for your particular system.

Hey Grim, thanks for those #'s Im sure I wasn't the only person wanting them

What did you use to measure the PAR #'s on those? how far away was the photosenser etc..... specs please.


Do you think the "Daylight" Bulbs from ATI and GEISMANN would have the same effect on reds and yellows?