T5 Bulb PAR Comparison

[Myka]

albert dao: Thanks for the info. I will add it right away (and contact them about placing an order! ). Do you know what other T5 bulbs those retailers carry???

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

OK, excuse my ignorance, what is PAR and how do I read/understand the info posted?

I presently have 2 Giesemann Midday and 2 Pure Actinics on my tank, As per Wendell's recommendation. I like them, but I know no different yet

PAR = Photosynthetically active radiation, which basically means it's a rating of the output of light that is photosynthetically usable. Generally speaking, the higher the better for reef tanks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosy...tive_radiation

I have learned to become lesser of a fan of the Giesemann bulbs. There are bulbs out there that produce equal or more PAR and don't have the dark ends like the Giesemann bulbs do. That's really my only complaint though. There are still decent lamps.