Current USA T5HO Lamps

I have seen several posts indicating that Current USA lamps are "sub-par".

I am just curious concerning the scientific basis for this.

Thanks in advance!

 

Hello,

I have the 8x54wt current setup. It has a single, flat reflector, with ~45 degree "wings" on the edge of the reflector. It does make light... but take a bit of time and read through the post that Dr. Fragenstein has been working on: http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/t5s-q-54866.html

If you can get through to the end of this work, I believe that you'll better understand the shortcommings of the Current T5 lighting systems.

 

I'm not concerned about reflectors, just the lamps. Say you have Current USA SlimPaqs with SLRs.

What is sub-par about this setup?

 

PAR, PUR results and general spectral characteristics of the lamp. UVL, Giesmann and ATI are my favs in order of my personal preference. IMO, the spectral characteristics weigh more than PAR. You can always increase the light source, but what is being emitted is more a quality of the lamp, not quantity.

 

I have the 8x54 Pro and did not have a good experience with it. Check my thread for all the grief it gave me. When I had it openned numerous times, wasnt very impressed with the manufacturing or electronics. Still running today, but only cause I cant dump another 7bills not cause I dont want to . Oh , the bracket broke recently to. So aside from being loud and hot and flimsy, not bad.


Cheers

 

The PAR has been tested and they do produce less PAR than similar bulbs by other brands generally. PAR isn't everything but its a pretty good indicator of the output of the bulb AFAIK.

This is taken from Grim Reefer on RC's tests. You can see why so many people recommend ATI/UVL/Giesemann bulbs.
ATI
Sun Pro 357
Aquablue 336
Blue Plus 311
Actinic 137

D&D/Giesemann
Midday 325
Aquablue 324
Actinic Plus 264
Pure Actinic 157

UVL
Aqua sun 345
Actinic White 293
Super Actinic 210

AquaZ
Sun Pro 285
Ocean Pro 323
Blue Pro 266

Helios
Daylight 309
Super Blue 225

Current Sun Paq
Daylight 10K 272
Blue 252

GE Daylight 340

 

Thanks Screwtape, just what I was looking for, numbers and references.

 

Hey screwtape, did you ask Steve to use his numbers? J/k
No like stated, while PAR isn't everything is mostly everything, but PUR photosynthetic USUABLE radiation also comes into play as does spectral preference. PUR can be tricky, say UVL actinics, have not so good PAR but good PUR.... So while PAR is a lot, it isn't everything.

Currents lamps are not the worst but they are not a lamp that I would actively pursue purchasing by anymeans. Contrary to the good ole Pharmrjohn I would rank ATI, Giesemann then UVL not only because of Steves(Grimms) tests but as far as MY spectral preference. ATI makes a GREAT Blue+ lamp, better than Gmann not only in color but PAR as well.
Goofy thing with lamps too is that many are made by the same company and rebranded.
Take Ice Cap for example, their new t5 lamps are just rebranded UVL lamps!!

 

No!

Gave him credit at least. ;D

One thing too is that those numbers are from 2006, I haven't seen another more recent bulb by bulb test so its possible they have changed.