KZ, ATI, Giesemann - Which Blue Bulb

[RevMH]

Hello, Reef2Reef!

I've seen this asked loosely, but I can't seem to find a specific answer or comparison for the 3 (wonderful comparison for Giesemann and ATI right here on Reef2Reef https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/g...son-pics-par-and-a-whole-mess-of-data.200357/ Thank you, @jedimasterben ).

Can we get pictures of the 3 "blue" bulbs from each company?

ATI: BLUE+
Giesemann: Actinic Blue
KZ: Super Blue

Maybe your choice and why?

I am currently running ATI Blue+, but I'm curious if I can alter the blue color a bit by one of the different brands, or do they all really look the "same"?

As always, thank you Reef2Reef and to the wonderful community it houses.

 

[RevMH]

Bump

 

[Daniel Waters]

I'd love to hear feedback on this as well. I'm a long time user of ATI blue plus bulbs and often wondered about the other brands "blue" bulbs.

 

[RevMH]

I'd love to hear feedback on this as well. I'm a long time user of ATI blue plus bulbs and often wondered about the other brands "blue" bulbs.

I ended up ordering 3 Giesemann Actinic Blues to replace my Blue Plus. So far, they seem ever so slightly lighter. Might be that I'm looking for it. There isn't much difference that I can see, but the bulbs are not broken in, yet. I opted against ordering KZ Super Blue, their lack of info on the projected spectrum did not earn a trial from me.

I'd still love to hear feedback from others.

 

[Potatohead]

They are 98% the same, your eye will never really tell the difference, especially comparing old vs new bulbs. I mean look at the spectrum charts for an Actinic Blue and a Blue+, they are virtually identical. If you want a real visual difference you will have to mix in different spectrum bulbs.

 

[RevMH]

They are 98% the same, your eye will never really tell the difference, especially comparing old vs new bulbs. I mean look at the spectrum charts for an Actinic Blue and a Blue+, they are virtually identical. If you want a real visual difference you will have to mix in different spectrum bulbs.

Thank you for the reply. I've looked at the overlay, it is pretty darn similar, but I've read some experiences that differ, too. I figured it was worth the ask on R2R.

 

[Highgrade]

I've used all 3 and can say that the ATI Blue+ is more appealing to my eyes.

The Giesemann: Actinic Blue and KZ: Super Blue are nearly identical. Both seem to have more of a white or lighter blue spectrum vs the ATI. I've compared all 3 side by side brand new bulbs FYI.

 

[RevMH]

I've used all 3 and can say that the ATI Blue+ is more appealing to my eyes.

The Giesemann: Actinic Blue and KZ: Super Blue are nearly identical. Both seem to have more of a white or lighter blue spectrum vs the ATI. I've compared all 3 side by side brand new bulbs FYI.

That's very helpful, thank you. I'm noticing that, too, but it's very mild. No idea what it'll look like in 100 hours.

 

[Potatohead]

FWIW In an eight bulb fixture I have been using six blue, one purple, one actinic. I mainly use ATI but the last couple times I have thrown in one Geisseman blue, just in case there is some real world spectrum difference. I have no idea if it actually matters but I figure it can't hurt.

 

[RevMH]

FWIW In an eight bulb fixture I have been using six blue, one purple, one actinic. I mainly use ATI but the last couple times I have thrown in one Geisseman blue, just in case there is some real world spectrum difference. I have no idea if it actually matters but I figure it can't hurt.

I considered that, too. Prices are almost the same, so why not? 8 bulb I use 5 Blue Plus, 1 each Actinic, Purple Plus, and Coral Plus.

This one is a hybrid that had 3 Blue Plus and 1 Coral Plus. Just replaced the ATI with Giesemann. I originally left 1 of the ATIs in there, but couldn't see that it mattered.

 

[Beardo]

I am running 2 KZ Superblues and an ATI Blue Plus in my fixture. There is an ever so slight color difference but my camera can't capture the difference. Not enough difference to matter and not enough to alter the look of the tank. My bulbs are 10 months old.

 

[RevMH]

I am running 2 KZ Superblues and an ATI Blue Plus in my fixture. There is an ever so slight color difference but my camera can't capture the difference. Not enough difference to matter and not enough to alter the look of the tank. My bulbs are 10 months old.

Thank you for the feedback. I haven't heard back regarding KZ. I was really curious how they looked. Thank you for the confirmation!!!

 

[greekspec2]

throw in Sylvania Coralstars

 

[RevMH]

throw in Sylvania Coralstars

As an item to be described or you've used it?

 

[greekspec2]

As an item to be described or you've used it?

I've ran them awhile back

 

[RevMH]

I've ran them awhile back

I see. What was your experience with them? What's the color relation to something like Blue Plus.

 

[greekspec2]

I see. What was your experience with them? What's the color relation to something like Blue Plus.

yes there blue plus version

 

[RevMH]

yes there blue plus version

I appreciate the throw in, I'll have to do some research. Thank you.

 

[paal]

As for Giesemann vs ATI blue bulbs, I really do not think anyone would be able to tell them apart without looking at the bulb itself.

I am a bit surprised by the other responses in this thread though:
I ran them side by side some time ago. (used 2 brand new of each in my 8 bulb fixture) I swear the Giesemann looked slightly darker when staring at the bulbs. Do I really remember it wrong? This has been my reasoning for continuing with Giesemann ever since, so...

Personally I would LOVE a truly dark blue bulb. Something between the violet actinic and the baby blue bulbs we have available today.
Pacific Sun used to make one that looked perfect: "BlueEx", but it got discontinued before I got the chance to try it. They also now just make the standard baby blue variant that "everyone else" does....

 

[RevMH]

As for Giesemann vs ATI blue bulbs, I really do not think anyone would be able to tell them apart without looking at the bulb itself.

I am a bit surprised by the other responses in this thread though:
I ran them side by side some time ago. (used 2 brand new of each in my 8 bulb fixture) I swear the Giesemann looked slightly darker when staring at the bulbs. Do I really remember it wrong? This has been my reasoning for continuing with Giesemann ever since, so...

Personally I would LOVE a truly dark blue bulb. Something between the violet actinic and the baby blue bulbs we have available today.
Pacific Sun used to make one that looked perfect: "BlueEx", but it got discontinued before I got the chance to try it. They also now just make the standard baby blue variant that "everyone else" does....

I don't think you're remembering wrong, Giesemann looks slightly less green (or aqua? ) to me - I agreed with a lighter/whiter blue above, but maybe I think (for me) a "cleaner blue" would have been a better explanation.

Giesemann looking a little darker (in some pictures and descriptions) is really the whole reason I started looking into this. I, too, would like a darker bulb!

Thank you for the feedback. I would have loved to see the BlueEX in person.