T5 Bulb Brands

[topmav1]

There are threads on this here and on other forums but lets make it easy. Please tell us which T5 bulb Brand you use. Not including the specialty bulbs like KZ Fiji Purple:

Geismann
UVL
ATI
KZ

 

[KathyC]

Giesemann - no comparison to the others. I've used them all.

 

[bmarkus]

I have been using Giesemann for the past 3 years and like them however I am being told that ATI is the same bulb and cheaper if someone can give input that has used both

 

[Wes]

ATI blue plus is still the best bulb available in terms of color and performance.

Throw in a GE 6500k into the mix and you are golden.

Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[Chongpark27]

Giesemann

 

[Killerdrgn]

ATI blue plus is still the best bulb available in terms of color and performance.

Throw in a GE 6500k into the mix and you are golden.

Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

is the ati blue plus more white or blue? like 10,000k, 14,000k, or 20,000k?
I'm in the market for 6 new bulbs and trying to decide what to get.

 

[jaa1456]

I believe they are around 12,000k

 

[adamt]

I use wavepoint bulbs. I know theyre not listed as an option on the poll, and i know alot of people turn their noses up at them, but from what i've experienced theyre great bulbs and for $10 a piece are by far the best bulb for the money. On my 45 gal i use (2) 12,000k, (2) Blue waves (a really bright 460 nm), (1) 420 actinic, and (1) coral wave (a really bright purple bulb that peaks at 420nm but also has peaks in the red and blue ranges). The resulting light is bright white/blue prolly around the 20,000k range with just a hint of purple that goes along way in bringing out the colors of my corals.

The only downside with the wave point fixture is that it only has one power switch for all four bulbs. So I added a 2 bulb coralife fixture that isnt high output but for the 460, and 420 bulbs i have in it is more than bright enough for the desired dawn/dusk effect.

 

[Audi0s]

ATI FTW. Saw a huge difference when I switched.

 

[topmav1]

Hearing great things about ATI.

 

[Killerdrgn]

wait is it ati blue plus or ati blue special that is the good one? I have a 6 bulb fixture can I go with 6 ati Blue plus, or should i get like 4 blue plus, 2 blue specials or something like that?

 

[NYreefNoob]

used most of them myself over last 5 yr's ati for certain one's giesman for other, and have been using the icecap bulbs which i really liked on my 8 bulb fixture i used 4 of the twilight 20k's 3 of the 14k and a giesman 6k over all was around 15k color, great thread on RC in reguards to t5's