mindeeo February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 I have a Giesemann fixture with 2X250 MH, and 4 T5s. Wehave Radium 15k MH, and are now ready purchase the T5s. We have 95g mixed reeftank. We are unsure which ones to buy (actinic, super blue, etc.). We'd lovefor the corals to grow (but think the MH are doing that), and want to make thered, blues, purples pop. Any suggestions? I am sure that there are more opinions than lights, butI am completely clueless at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 1 blue, 1 purple, 2 white Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindeeo February 4, 2012 Author Share February 4, 2012 I like those colors! The Giesemann bulbs are not classified that way... can you provide more details? Brand? URL? Anything is helpful... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.eclipse February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 purplehttp://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/giesemann-t5-aquarium-bulb/54w-48in-pure-actinic-giesemann-dandd-powerchrome-t5-bulbs.html blue http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/giesemann-t5-aquarium-bulb/54w-48in-actinic-plus-giesemann-dandd-powerchrome-t5-bulbs.html white http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/giesemann-t5-aquarium-bulb/54w-48in-aqua-blue-plus-giesemann-dandd-powerchrome-t5-bulbs.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindeeo February 4, 2012 Author Share February 4, 2012 Thanks! These are Giesemann. Would you recomend sticking with that brand? Or another? Thanks so much, Dr Eclipse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.eclipse February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 ive used them on my dads 55 gallon tank, and love the color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindeeo February 4, 2012 Author Share February 4, 2012 Awesome... thanks. That is what I wanted to hear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Country February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 I always liked the ATI bulbs better than the Geiseman bulbs, seemed to have better color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCDRDATA February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 (edited) I have a Giesemann fixture with 2X250 MH, and 4 T5s. Wehave Radium 15k MH, and are now ready purchase the T5s. We have 95g mixed reeftank. We are unsure which ones to buy (actinic, super blue, etc.). We'd lovefor the corals to grow (but think the MH are doing that), and want to make thered, blues, purples pop. Any suggestions? I am sure that there are more opinions than lights, butI am completely clueless at this point. There's a long-standing T5 thread on ReefCentral (the most recent split is already over 30 pages) here. I looked over roughly the last 10 pages; most of the situations were for T5s on their own. There was one case that combined T5s with 14k MH and the recommended bulb combination was 3xATI Blue Plus and 1xATI Purple Plus. The standalone combinations were as follows: - 2xATI Blue Plus, 1xATI Purple Plus, 1xATI Coral Plus - 3xBlue Plus, 1xGE6500k OR Giesman Midday OR ATI Aquablue Special - 3xBlue Plus, 1xPurple Plus OR KZ Fiji Purple - 2xBlue Plus, 1xPurple Plus, 1xKZ New Generation OR ATI Aquablue Special With a 90 gallon I'm assuming the T5s you're looking for are 48"/54W. Where are you located? I'm in the middle of replacing my T5s (48"/54W) and have most of the bulb types in the combinations above (some unused, some being replaced). If you are reasonably close we might be able to do some experimentation to see what you like. Edited February 4, 2012 by LCDRDATA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roni February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 I always liked the ATI bulbs better than the Geiseman bulbs, seemed to have better color. +1. ATI bulbs also seem to hold their PAR a little longer and spectrum shift a little less over time, plus they are among the cheaper bulbs. If you have 2 switches for your T5s, I really like the color of B+ and P+ bulbs for sunrise/sunset. If you want a real blue look, you could do a B+/actinic combo for sunrise/sunset and then an AB sp/P+ for the other 2. The key is the P+, really makes reds and pinks pop. Remember that the true actinics don't provide that much in terms of PAR (compared with other bulbs). Ultimately, I'd buy a couple extra bulbs and see what color combo appeals to you the most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trockafella February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 I would also agree with going to ATI bulbs over giesemann. I felt I had the same results. The giesemann bulbs are good, but I noticed a color shift quicker. Especially in the purple (red) bulb. There still nice, but I would go with ATI, and the ATI's are usually slightly cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 Here's what I know about Giesmann bulbs- rumor has it they sit in storage for years at a time in Europe before they get shipped to USA resulting in faster disintegration of the phosphors inside due to excessive temperature fluctuations. I don't know if this is plausible, but I had heard this from an LFS owner... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubberFrog February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 Sounds like we're sold on the ATI bulbs. Thanks for the input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubberFrog February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 (edited) Would these be appropriate ATI choices? White- Aquablue Special- http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/ati-t5-aquarium-bulbs/54w-48in-12000k-ati-aquablue-special-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb.html Blue- Blue Plus- http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/ati-t5-aquarium-bulbs/54w-48in-ati-blue-plus-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb.html Purple- True Actinic- http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/ati-t5-aquarium-bulbs/54w-48in-ati-true-actinic-03-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb.html OR Purple Plus http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/lighting/t5-florescent-aquarium-lighting/t5-florescent-bulbs/ati-t5-aquarium-bulbs/54w-48in-ati-purple-plus-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb.html Edited February 4, 2012 by RubberFrog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Country February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 (edited) Unless you're looking to order something else from BRS please do yourself a favor and check out www.reefgeek.com I ordered many T5 bulbs from them, their prices are competitive, there is nobody better at packaging bulbs, never had a single one break in shipment. Great customer service and they usually throw some candy into the box This is supposedly a sweet purple bulb http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Bulbs/54_Watt/54W_Fiji_Purple_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_Korallen_Zucht Edited February 4, 2012 by Big Country Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trockafella February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 Or you can go to our LFS that carry ATI. I know Fins and Feathers sells them, I would call Sean and see what he has in stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubberFrog February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 We are planning on buying them locally. We just need to fiure out which purple first. I called fins n feathers, but they didn't have them in stock. Marinescene has them, so I will probably swing by later today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trockafella February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 Go with the purple plus, I believe its the one to help with reds/pinks etc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubberFrog February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 Ok, we just picked them up from marine scene (including the purple plus). The next question is: What order should I install them from front to back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trockafella February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 Which onse did you get? I would put the blue plus on the outside (outside of each side), others on the inside, personally I would use the purple on the front inside bulb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubberFrog February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 Two ATI aquablues, a blue plus, and a purple plus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trockafella February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 Hmm.. Interesting. I was thinking you were getting the normal 2 blue+, 1 aquablue, 1 purple+.. I guess I would go with front to back: Aquablue Purple+ Blue+ Aquablue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubberFrog February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 I thought the aqua blue was a white and the blue plus was the blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trockafella February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 They are.. But most people, atleast when stand alone go with "2xBlue Plus, 1xPurple Plus, 1xKZ New Generation OR ATI Aquablue Special".. Since your using 2 of the aquablues I would either put them both on the outside or both inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trockafella February 4, 2012 Share February 4, 2012 Ive never had a MH w/ 4 T5's. What MH bulb are you using.? Are you looking to go more blue or white.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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