Just reviving this one a little bit. This information has been extremely helpful as I work to put together a new tank that will be only T5HO (likely 4 bulb over 75 gallon). I didn't realize the color that the standard Sunblaster 6400K bulb can put out with the combinations based on the above posts.

I like the Giesemann Super Flora, as well as the Tropic 6500K. The Tropic 6500K looks to have a more desirable relative intensity graph than that of the Sunblaster (which seems only green heavy, with a slight yellow tick as well).

My initial thought was to run something like this (no order yet):

Giesemann Tropic 6500K, Giesemann Super Flora, Power VEG 660, Giesemann Super Purple

This give me some daylight, as well as 'blues' and 'reds' to balance each other out.

I can grab all the Giesmann from Bulk Reef Supply today- and should be able to source the Power VEG 660 from the garden center not too far from me.

Still learning here, and open to conversation and feedback!


Giesemann Tropic 6500K


Giesemann Super Flora


Sunblaster 6400K


Power VEG 660


Giesemann Super Purple

So after some calling around... it looks like the PowerVEG is being discontinued??? Still looking into it...

I like the PowerVeg 633 better than the 660. The 633 is the 1 that Burr uses if my memory is correct. I just purchased two of the 633 from a local hydro shop, no mention of being discontinued.

Okay, good to know. I feel like I recall a conversation where someone like the 633 better, and maybe it was Burr. Thanks for pointing that out. Still putting this together so the feedback is great!

Perhaps it was just my local hydro shop that was discontinuing them. My garden center said they needed to order 20 of them to get them in, so that was a no go as well. Amazon has them, but for $36 each.

I'll keep looking around.

This is where i got mine https://www.bghydro.com/grow-lights/...lamp-4-ft.html. I had them shipped and they arrived packaged superbly. They used thick cardboard and bubble wrapped them individualy. I have purchased bulbs from a few different companies and these were by far packaged the best. Really thats the whole reason most don't buy bulbs online is they arrive broken.

Thank you for sharing!

That looks like a very good combination. Should provide great color and great PAR too.

The 633 vs. 660 comes down to personal taste. I swapped out my 660 for 633 and the look to me had a slight orange tint. Went right back to the 660. But that is my personal taste with my particular mix of bulbs. In reality either one will probably look great.

Thanks for the feedback. I placed the order on bulk reef- just need to finalize the power veg.

Excited to make this transition!

4 bulbs are hard, I will be trying the same combo in the next month or two but with the Sunblaster 6400k instead of a midday. Going to get a 620 and a 660 to see how each looks.

I do love Paulina Zagorowska's bulb combo in her pictures, I think it's 2/3 aquaflora and 1/3 midday on a 6 bulb setup. I recently tried it out but had to use 1 zoomed pink. Took pictures and the white balance was off, it still didn't satisfy me completely but I didn't give it much of a chance either. That setup doesn't translate to 4 bulbs anyways.

Don't forget to add your combo with pics once you get everything set up.

Funny you should mention 4 bulbs...

So I have one fixture here currently, and two more on the way (found a two pack). So now my decision to make is do I grab one more for 4, or another two pack for 5 total.

Before you posted this I have been considering the 5 bulb route- both options are sitting in my Amazon cart waiting for my decision.

Four is all you need but your going to get five anyways...lol

You know I love MORE light.

But with a 75G, likely 4 bulbs is plenty, particularly with Giesemann's, which are higher PAR than most.

For reference Burr is running 4 x T5HO over his 75G......pretty sure somewhere just over 100 PAR at substrate.

It's the temptation of $52 for one or $88 for two, but I suppose you are both absolutely right, that 4 is plenty...

I'll hit buy later tonight, ha!

What fixtures are you using? I primarily run four bulbs on a 24” wide tank, everything grew just fine but noticed slow growth with new plants in the very back behind rocks. With the 18” I don’t think you will have that issue. If you want a really nice looking bulb that make colours pop but keep PAR low look into the Coralife colormax.

Using the Sunblaster Nano Tech fixtures with reflectors in a hood I am building.

I have the Giesemann Tropic 6500K, Giesemann Super Flora, and Giesemann Super Purple on order right now.

4 is what I'll stick with- I am trying to get some better color and stay around the 100ish for PAR so I can run 4 all day long- 8hrs (right now I run 80ish 8 hrs with a 150ish 2hr blast).