T5 Bulb Charts for Reefers

[MarineDepot]

We created 5 reference charts for our most popular T5 fluorescent bulb brands to help you get an idea of how to mix-and-match them to achieve the right look and optimal growth in your reef tank.

If your light fixture has multiple plugs to simulate dawn/dusk, put actinics and blues all on one plug to create the best effect.


ATI T5 Bulbs

Giesemann T5 Bulbs

Red Sea T5 Bulbs

AquaticLife T5 Bulbs

UV T5 Bulbs

 

[Pete polyp]

Any way to include PAR values of each bulb?

 

[MarineDepot]

Any way to include PAR values of each bulb?

I certainly wish we could but with so many variables effecting the reading and all of the different combinations, it would be difficult to include this many charts on a single reference guide.

We may be able to put together something separate together with multiple PAR charts at different depths for a single bulb and I will keep this in my radar for a future project.

-Robert F.

 

[Pete polyp]

Do the manufactures have any information regarding intensity? I know they have spectrum analysis information that's available so I would have to assume they would have assume reference to PAR values as well.

 

[MarineDepot]

Do the manufactures have any information regarding intensity? I know they have spectrum analysis information that's available so I would have to assume they would have assume reference to PAR values as well.

-ATI has some nice Spectral Distribution Charts, but I could not find anything in the way of Lumens.

-Giesemann does include a Lumen Rating on the individual product pages as well as Spectral Charts. Just click on the title of the bulb at the bottom of the page.

-AquaticLife has some Spectral Distribution Charts you can view by clicking on the Spec. sheets.

-RedSea only has Spectral Distribution Charts on the linked page.

-UV Lighting has Spectral Distribution Charts as well but no Lumen ratings.

Giesemann brand seems to be the only one with advertised intensity measurements in Lumens. It would be great to see if any other hobbyists have some links for intensity and/or par values on these bulbs. Keep us posted and let us know if you find anything more!

-Robert F.

 

[Diesel]

I have the 8 bulb ATI schedule running as recommended, I have awesome colors.
That from a guy that ran for 3+ years radions up to Gen3 pro's.

 

[Cjscott]

Are these listed in the order you recommend as well?

 

[MarineDepot]

Are these listed in the order you recommend as well?

Yes, we did take into consideration the order of the bulbs when putting the list together and listed them accordingly on the charts.

 

[choff]

There is a good 2 part video on YouTube that does side by side comparisons of ati bulb color combinations.

 

[FLipp]

4 blue+
1 purple+
1 aquablue special

FTW.

 

[MarineDepot]

4 blue+
1 purple+
1 aquablue special

FTW.

Nice mix!

 

[Gwitness]

Right now I have a 180 mixed reef and I have an ATI 8 bulb fixture....I have a question about my bulb combo..right now I have:

5 blue +
1 aqua blue special
1 coral +
1 purple +

I really like the look, but I am trying to get the color a little bit deeper of a blue look.....Any advice?? I thought about adding an actinic but I know the par is a lot lower in that bulb and I didn't know what to add and what bulb to take out!!

 

[3Twinklets]

Thank You! This is very helpful.

 

[Rob&Gab]

Right now I have a 180 mixed reef and I have an ATI 8 bulb fixture....I have a question about my bulb combo..right now I have:

5 blue +
1 aqua blue special
1 coral +
1 purple +

I really like the look, but I am trying to get the color a little bit deeper of a blue look.....Any advice?? I thought about adding an actinic but I know the par is a lot lower in that bulb and I didn't know what to add and what bulb to take out!!

For a really deep nice blue is the Red Sea 22k actinic that is a way nicer blue then the ATI actinic . Looks 1000% better and we use them as well so letting you know from experience .

 

[Gwitness]

Okay good to know!! Thanks! What bulb should I swap it out for though? And is the par level very low compared to the others?