Hey guys - it's a strugle to find data sometimes and I was thinkin, if anyone has a par meter and has tested their T5 bulbs we can post em up here and I'll ad them to the original post.

Maybe we can organize it in a nice spreadsheet at some point.

I don't have a par meter but in tryin go research my own bulbs (powerveg 633, Spectralux 3000k, Red Sea Reef-Spec 15000k blue white, Generic 6500k bulb) I found the following.

Spectraralux 3000K || Teklight Fixture || Apogee Par Meter || 2x48" @ 18" Depth = 90 PAR.

Spectraralux 6500K|| Teklight Fixture || Apogee Par Meter || 2x48" @ 18" Depth = 50 PAR

Giesemann Super Flora 80w || Individual Reflector || Seneye || 1x60" @ 12" Depth = 108 PAR

Giesemann Tropic 80w || Individual Reflector || Seneye || 1x60" @ 12" Depth = 95 PAR

Zoo Med Ocean Sun 54w || Individual Reflector || Seneye || 1x48" @ 12" Depth= 89 PAR

Plantmax 3000k 54w || Individual Reflector || Seneye || 1x48" @ 12" Depth= 87 PAR

ATI Purple Plus 54w || Individual Reflector || Seneye || 1x48" @ 12" Depth= 80 PAR

TrueLumen Flora 54w || Individual Reflector || Seneye || 1x48" @ 12" Depth= 76 PAR

PowerVeg 660|| Individual Reflector || Seneye || 1x48" @ 12" Depth= 55 PAR

Geissman super tropic 6500K || ATI Sunpower|| Seneye || 2x48" @ 18" Depth = 88 PAR.

You tha Man!
Thank you!

Here are a few from my thread............

https://www.plantedtank.net/forums/1...l#post10787369

I will add these to the first post!

Problem with PAR data like this is that unless they specifically state what reflector is used the number won't mean much. A person might see a bulb with a low number because the reflector is crap and think that it's the bulb or vice versa and see a bulb with insanely high par because it was measured on an ATI Powermodule and then put it on a fixture which is not that one and get a much lower number. Individual reflector doesn't tell you much because it could have been on a specular, parabolic, or flat type which will have very different output.

Well this is why you need lots of data - the more datapoints and the more info we can get the better.
Side note: I may be a layman here but I thought most of us use a parabolic reflector? I sure don't know of anyone spending money on 30 dollar bulbs to put in a shop light style flat reflector housing

There are basically 3 true parabolic fixtures on the market. Pacific Sun Diuna, Pacific Sun Althea, and ATI Powermodule. The ATI Sunpower is not a true parabolic but a specular in parabolic shape. Hydrofarm units are specular, and so is the Giesemann Matrixx II.

Specular vs parabolic has it's pros and cons.

Parabolic - most penetration but least horizontal dispersion
Specular - mid penetration but better horizontal dispersion than parabolic
Flat - least penetration but best horizontal dispersion

Well I have a generic hydroponic setup - its a good quality reflector that curves around the bulb - its not specular (specular reflectors have dimples and good scattering)
I guess you could call it flat? It's kind of like a curved U around the bulb?

Specular has nothing to do with dimples. It has to do with the angle it reflects the flight at it's first reflection point. A true parabolic fixture will reflect the light straight down and it's designed for a single reflection point. Specular has multiple reflection points with emphasis on both vertical and horizontal reflection. Flat is all horizontal reflection.