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View Full Version : Best T5 bulb source / brand?

Madmak
05-04-2012, 06:58 AM
Is there a common place to source new bulbs when replacing them all at once? I need 12 and LFS pricing X 12 is a bit steep. For a bulb in a pinch I'm ok with $30+ but...

Any brand hints or experience is welcomed as well. Fixture is 6' with 12 39W'ers on 2 circuits.
gregzz4
05-04-2012, 07:17 AM
ATI and KZ bulbs are apparently the way to go

http://www.reefsupplies.ca/canada/category/lighting/t5/bulbs/

http://www.conceptaquatics.ca/index.php/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&li_bulb_type=103&order=price&q=t5+bulbs

I, too, would love to see better prices but apparently :gossip: this is what we get after it crosses our border :canada:

Tagging along
tang daddy
05-04-2012, 08:09 AM
Greg beat me but Ati super blue are awesome for par and the Fiji purple are good for the red spectrum. Unfortunately the Fiji is very expensive everywhere, however the Ati are pretty cheap in the states. I usually order my Ati from aquacave but there are lots of people carrying Ati in the states...
chris121277
05-04-2012, 01:43 PM
Is there a common place to source new bulbs when replacing them all at once? I need 12 and LFS pricing X 12 is a bit steep. For a bulb in a pinch I'm ok with $30+ but...

Any brand hints or experience is welcomed as well. Fixture is 6' with 12 39W'ers on 2 circuits.

I was in Calgary a few weeks back and picked up some ATI bulbs from Concept Aquatics....the place is a little hard to find, but he was great to deal with and very competitive on his pricing.

http://www.conceptaquatics.ca/aquarium-hardware/lighting/bulbs.html
Mandosh
05-04-2012, 03:33 PM
ATI is the way to go. I get my bulbs from the States because buying 14 at a time and being so close to the border, I end up saving $100. Concept's pricing looks very competetive though.
ensquire
05-04-2012, 03:38 PM
Check these guys out as well.

http://www.goreef.com/T5-Fluorescent-bulbs/
fencer
05-04-2012, 03:44 PM
URI
ashr
05-04-2012, 04:56 PM
I use 5 T5 HO ATI Bulbs and really like them :)
ashr
05-04-2012, 04:57 PM
ATI is the way to go. I get my bulbs from the States because buying 14 at a time and being so close to the border, I end up saving $100. Concept's pricing looks very competetive though.

I went through Concept and they were great!
Cugio
05-04-2012, 06:48 PM
Agree on concept. Dave recommended a great bulb combination for the look I wanted as well.
AquaPin
05-04-2012, 11:38 PM
Switched to ATI last week, no regret they made everything in my tank POP!

Jason