T5 bulb comparison

[joshvito]

Has anyone done a comparison of the different T5 HO bulbs, and measured their respective PAR values?

I thought I read this somewhere, but cannot find it.
Thank you.

[hbosman]

This is the only one I've ever seen.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=918935

[Gilles]

Problem with that is the method of measuring. Full tank / how full / how cloudy is the water or is it crystal clear? etc...

[hbosman]

Problem with that is the method of measuring. Full tank / how full / how cloudy is the water or is it crystal clear? etc...

Indeed true. If they were all measured under the same conditions though, at least you'd have comparison.

I used this chart two years ago to buy geissemans and GE Starcoats. Recently, I learned that 4 bulbs over my tank was too much. Since my Geissemans and GEs are old, I dug out two Current bulbs that appear to be low PAR (on the chart) and my plants are still doing just fine and I fight algae less. My tank is 22 inches high.

Now I'm more inclined to buy T5 HO bulbs that are locally available and look good to me. The shipping charges for bulbs kills the price advantage of buying off of the net. Unless, you want a specific bulb of course.

[Tom Barr]

Hoppy's drop off curves for PAR for various fixtures and bulb types is a bit more useful.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[fjf888]

Indeed true. If they were all measured under the same conditions though, at least you'd have comparison.

I used this chart two years ago to buy geissemans and GE Starcoats. Recently, I learned that 4 bulbs over my tank was too much. Since my Geissemans and GEs are old, I dug out two Current bulbs that appear to be low PAR (on the chart) and my plants are still doing just fine and I fight algae less. My tank is 22 inches high.

Now I'm more inclined to buy T5 HO bulbs that are locally available and look good to me. The shipping charges for bulbs kills the price advantage of buying off of the net. Unless, you want a specific bulb of course.

Apparently, it might not be enough if you are using a Current Nova Extreme Fixture. In Hoppy's thread on TPT, the bulbs in a the Current Fixture were basically performing at wattages for t5No rather than t5-HO, this from what I understand is due to the reflectors which according to those who know better than I are horrible.

I think I am going to go with 3 bulbs bought locally and check the results. It appears my slower, thin growth, despite EI and Wormcastings enrichment and osmo, might be due to lack of light after all.