T5 lamp PAR readings

The Grim Reefer · 08/31/2006, 09:28 AM

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

hiero4life · 08/31/2006, 09:53 AM

Thanks for the info and your work Grim.

Chris

R33f3r · 08/31/2006, 10:19 AM

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

bennyinca · 08/31/2006, 10:27 AM

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!

Ti · 08/31/2006, 10:35 AM

awesome thanks grim

The Grim Reefer · 08/31/2006, 10:43 AM

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.

NewSchool04 · 08/31/2006, 11:04 AM

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

The Grim Reefer · 08/31/2006, 11:14 AM

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.

NewSchool04 · 08/31/2006, 11:19 AM

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

lvreefer · 08/31/2006, 11:22 AM

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?

R33f3r · 08/31/2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
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.

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

The Grim Reefer · 08/31/2006, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lvreefer
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?

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.

The Grim Reefer · 08/31/2006, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by R33f3r
Thanks, UVL makes a new lamp called "sun light"?

I think its called aquasun or something like that.

horkn · 08/31/2006, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
I think its called aquasun or something like that.

i think they call it "Pepto Sun"

LOL

The Grim Reefer · 08/31/2006, 12:22 PM

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

R33f3r · 08/31/2006, 02:28 PM

Yeah pepto-sun!

raynist · 08/31/2006, 02:48 PM

where these all the 54w bulbs?

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

--Ray

ChiaJunkie · 08/31/2006, 03:20 PM

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

HowardW · 08/31/2006, 04:04 PM

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.

ghost · 08/31/2006, 05:46 PM

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

Creetin · 08/31/2006, 06:41 PM

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

The Grim Reefer · 08/31/2006, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by raynist
where these all the 54w bulbs?

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

--Ray

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

The Grim Reefer · 08/31/2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

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

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.

The Grim Reefer · 08/31/2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ghost
sorry for asking this, how often should you replace the ATI bulbs?

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.

Shawnts106 · 08/31/2006, 07:22 PM

Quote:

One of the things I liked about the sun was it brought out red and yellow colors.

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?

08/31/2006, 09:28 AM	#1
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	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

08/31/2006, 10:19 AM	#3
R33f3r Anemones Anonymous Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: 29.763N:95.363W Posts: 3,114	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 __________________ Member of the starboard cult.

08/31/2006, 10:35 AM	#5
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	awesome thanks grim __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

08/31/2006, 10:43 AM	#6
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	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. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

08/31/2006, 11:04 AM	#7
NewSchool04 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Go Bears! Posts: 7,629	Grim, which do you prefer, the ATI or the Giesmann bulbs? __________________ 180 w/ Tek 8 bulb T5 fixture 2 6105 Tunze w/ 7095 controller Tunze Wave Box

08/31/2006, 09:53 AM	#2
hiero4life Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 203	Thanks for the info and your work Grim. Chris

08/31/2006, 10:27 AM	#4
bennyinca Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southern OC, CA Posts: 2,140	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!

08/31/2006, 11:14 AM	#8
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	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. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

08/31/2006, 11:19 AM	#9
NewSchool04 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Go Bears! Posts: 7,629	Thanks Grim, I've been putting off replacing my old ATI now Geismann bulbs. They are coming up on 18 months. __________________ 180 w/ Tek 8 bulb T5 fixture 2 6105 Tunze w/ 7095 controller Tunze Wave Box

08/31/2006, 11:22 AM	#10
lvreefer Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sin City Posts: 1,163	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?

08/31/2006, 12:22 PM	#15
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	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 __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

08/31/2006, 02:28 PM	#16
R33f3r Anemones Anonymous Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: 29.763N:95.363W Posts: 3,114	Yeah pepto-sun! __________________ Member of the starboard cult.

08/31/2006, 02:48 PM	#17
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	where these all the 54w bulbs? Do you think the results should be the same for the 39w bulbs? --Ray

08/31/2006, 03:20 PM	#18
ChiaJunkie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: California Posts: 31	GE daylight any problem with the GE daylight? It seems to have pretty solid PAR, and an excellent price.

08/31/2006, 04:04 PM	#19
HowardW Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 1,763	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. __________________ Florida live rock addict

08/31/2006, 05:46 PM	#20
ghost Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: worldwide Posts: 204	sorry for asking this, how often should you replace the ATI bulbs?

08/31/2006, 06:41 PM	#21
Creetin Limestone Cowboy. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In a little place i like to call a little place. Posts: 4,552	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 __________________ If only common sense was common. Current Tank Info: 300 gal marineland deep