Anyone running Aquascience T5s?

[Stones]

I need to order some bulbs for my new T5 fixture and I was wondering what the visual difference in light was between the 15K and the 17.5K Duo T5 bulbs. Reason why I ask is the Duo has been rated as having a higher PAR value over the 15K bulb (334 for Duo, 320 for 15K as tested by TheGrimReefer). If anyone has used these bulbs before, any advice would be appreciated so I don't end up purchasing more bulbs than necessary just to try out different combos. Thanks.

[albert_dao]

Specials are more of a white bulb. Similar to what you'd see in the 10K's of other brands. Duo is very similar in appearance to both the KZ New Generation or the ATI Aquablue Special.

[corpusse]

I use the 15k but find it too white. Not much difference between it and 10k. I do however LOVE the 22k.

For a 6 bulb fixture i'm running

KZ fiji purple on the ends
one kz pro coral (i think this is 12k)
one aquscience 15k
two aquascience 22k

[silverplanet]

here are my aqua science bulbs in my 24" tek.



bulbs from left to right are:
17.5 k
15 k
uri actinic white for 12k
22 k

i would not get the 17.5 k again. i love the 22k and the 15k.
with the 22k you don't need a actinic bulb cause it is almost the same color and still produces some par.

Jason

[Stones]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm planning on using the following bulbs in my 8 bulb fixture:

1 Kz Fiji purple
2 Giesmann Pure Actinic
3 15K
2 22K

I may swap out a pure actinic for another 22K bulb if I don't like the colour and to increase PAR a bit. I am still undecided however if I should go with the 3 15K bulbs, or 3 DUO bulbs. I want to achieved the same colour as running equal amounts of ATI Aquablue specials and ATI Blue + bulbs. From looking at the last picture posted, I can't really see the difference between the 15K and the DUO bulb. Any suggestions based on the above bulb combo?

[silverplanet]

the difference between the 15k and 17.5k is really nothing. the 17.5k isa little more blue but you really need to look at it to notice. i bought the 3 color types just to test them. i don't think the little differnece makes any noticible difference in livestock. i would go with what you have there.

Jason