t-5 lights ATI vs. Giesemann

[devonian]

Which bulbs are better? Pro's and con's from anyone. Please help, I am looking to get new bulbs and want good ones, ...

please share your experiences, ...

[Gseclipse02]

i like them both they burn brighter than your glo-bulbs that you see at most stores

[lt1z28]

Both brands make great bulbs. I believe the ATI bulbs have slightly higher par. The difference is minimal.

[corruption]

UVL is another worthwhile brand -- I'd call ATI, UVL and Geisseman the top of the game in T5 bulbs. I also hear a lot of fanaticism surrounding the Korallen-Zucht line (the Fiji Purple lamps in particular) as well.. All are high quality, the toughest thing is finding a color combo that suits you... which is about as easy as finding a perfect pair of shoes. :)

-Justin

[roscozman]

We purchased 4 ATI Blue +, 1 GE Daylight Bulb and a Figi Purple and had great color and growth for the minimal time we had our 240gal set up. We will keep this bulb combo when we get out tank in and set up again.

[FireWater]

UVL is another worthwhile brand -- I'd call ATI, UVL and Geisseman the top of the game in T5 bulbs. I also hear a lot of fanaticism surrounding the Korallen-Zucht line (the Fiji Purple lamps in particular) as well.. All are high quality, the toughest thing is finding a color combo that suits you... which is about as easy as finding a perfect pair of shoes. :)

-Justin


I agree Justin, I ran several combos and finally decided on ATI and UVL for my 90G. I am running 3 ATI Blue +, 1 UVL Actinic White, 1 1 UVL Aquasun, and 1 UVL Pure Actinic on my 6 light set up.

You can also go to reefcentral and read the last couple of pages on the t-5 thread. Grim is usually on top of the newest and greatest bulbs out there - you can tell his currennt favorites by the recommendations he gives out.

[kkiel02]

I also consulted grimreaper on my bulb selection back in my t5 days. If you are doing a 6 bulb setup, which I was, he suggested these bulbs. This was back from July though.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

[kkiel02]

I guess he liked ati blue plus back then.

[roscozman]

I also consulted grimreaper on my bulb selection back in my t5 days. If you are doing a 6 bulb setup, which I was, he suggested these bulbs. This was back from July though.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

This is what he recommended to us just a couple of months ago. We replaced the Actinic with a Figi Purple (his recommendation).

[FireWater]

In my opinion only - the ATI Blue + are the best on the market for color and par. My combo is similar to ya'lls.
Blue+
UVL Actinic White - used to be UVL 75/25
Blue+
UVL Aquasun
UVL Pure Actinic
Blue+

I wanted a little bluer look and quickly tired of that. The actinic white gave me a "crisper" look. I have also tried the Giesmann Aquablue and Aquablue Specials - if I can still find thosse I will be using them on my 30G.

[fishypets]

Your T5 bulbs are only as good as your fixture. Just like everything else in this wonderful hobby the better fixtures tend to cost more $$$. My ATI fixture with ATI and KZ bulbs literally burns sps that come from 400W tanks, no joke.

[cbianco]

I have a six bulb fixture. I use 5 ATI bulbs and a KZ Purple. I am very satisfied with the color and longevity of these bulbs. When I replace them, I most likely will stick with the same brands but possibly change the color a bit.

Christopher

[clone]

im running all ati bulbs at the moment. I would have to say blue+ is a very popular bulb because of the folurecents it helps to bring out, and as someone else in this thread said Ati blue+ is on top with a few others in par readings. I will stay with Ati. Maybe try out UVL actinic white as John was saying.

[GoneReefing]

I like the ATI bulbs. I'm going to be putting in 2 - Aquablue plus special (12000k) and 2 - Blue plus in my 75g

My 20g has 2 - ATI blue plus, UVL super actinic and UVL 10000k Aquasun. I like UVL as well but next time I think I will go with the blue plus and the aquablue plus special (2 of each).

I got this off grimreefers google site about t5, growth is great but its a little too purple, guess the super actinic is taking over.

I guess whats so great about t-5's are you can swap out bulbs and find a nice spectrum that your tank likes and you like.

Just my two cents.

[devonian]

wow, well that is all a wealth of knowledge for sure

looks like the ATI's have no complaints, that's for sure

but I do also know about the fixture thing, no point in putting ATI bulbs in a jebo hood, lol I actually have a Constellation fixture from Aquactinics so I am happy with it, but need to get new bulbs and am shopping around

[corruption]

I would disagree about the putting ATI in a Jebo hood -- you'll still get the benefit of a higher quality bulb, you just won't get the quantifiable bonuses that come with a well-engineered reflector configuration. The bulbs themselves, undoubtedly, will have a higher PAR rating, and better color definition, than what the fixture came with :)

-Justin

[devonian]

well no worries, I dont have a jebo fixture, I was just giving an example, lol

[corruption]

Understood -- just wanted it there for posterity's sake -- so someone who does have a Jebo/Odyssea fixture doesn't think they're relegated to crap bulbs and color :wink:

-Justin

[devonian]

any other thoughts?