Switching from LEDs to ATI T5

[Fphipps]

So after almost a year of using LEDs from RapidLED, I have decided to go back to T5. I have read so many mixed reviews on LEDs and while I like the look, I feel the corals will be happier and I will get more growth with the ATI fixture. I did look into Halides but the T5 seems more what I am looking for. I would also like a bit more spectrum in my tank.

I plan on going with the 6x80watt 60'' SunPower on my 72 inch tank. Do you think this will be enough? will I have much dark areas on the side?

I am also curious to know what 6 bulb combos people have and like. I like a more white tank. My friend has a 4x54watt fixture on his 55 gallon and he has two blue plus and two aquablue specials and thats a little more blue than I like.
Just looking for opinions and suggestions.
thanks

 

[rtparty]

As long as your tank is only 18" front to back, then the 6 bulb will be plenty.

Is your friend using a cheaper brand t5 unit? If so, most the ballasts don't drive the bulbs properly and they look more blue than they will with a proper t5 ballast like ATI uses.

2 blue plus and 2 Aquablue is pretty white. I find it to be a terrible combo using 50/50 like that with the Aquablue. Colors are usually washed out.

I'd go with something like 4 coral plus and 2 blue plus if you want white and not lose a lot of color.

 

[redwhiteandblue]

i ran a 6 bulb 60" sunpower over a standard 180 for over a year. great coverage. 8 would optimal i think but six works and no dim spots. i switched to leds from this fixture and considered going back to it, but i like the benefits of the leds too much to switch. (i did put the t5 back on the tank for a couple days and i missed my ai sols lol)


bulb combo:
aquablue special x2
blue + x2
coral +
purple plus+

it was pretty white looking. if i use it again i will do an actinic, blue+, purple plus, 1 aquablue, coral +, and either a blue+ or coral +

 

[ReefTankHunter]

Why not both ,T-5 and led,Thats what i did.ATI t5 in the back,and hydra in the front

 

[therra978]

I went from Kessils -> AI Vegas -> ATI Sunpower Dimmable

very happy where Im at right now.

 

[mpierce]

I am also a LED/t5 user. Just retro in 2/4 t5 bulbs.

 

[Fphipps]

As far as bulb combos go, I like a whiter tank, but not too white. I was thinking about going with 3 Blue plus, 2 aquablue specials and 1 purple plus. any opinions? or pictures of your light set ups?

 

[cpllongjk]

That will be very white.

I personally have 4 blue plus, 1 coral plus, and 1 purple plus. If I had to guess the color temp, I would say its around 15-16k.

I prefer a more 20k radium look and when I change out the bulbs here next month will go with 5 blue plus and 1 purple plus. If that turns out to be too blue, I will go with 3 blue plus, 1 actinic, 1 purple plus, and 1 coral plus.

 

[cpllongjk]

Forgot to mention, buy a few extra bulbs to have as spares and play with color. Buy a GE bulb as well for growth and reds/yellows.

 

[reefndude]

I have a 6x80 over my 125. Plenty of light, and I am getting better growth vs. my previous t5 fixture. I am also adding led strip to the mix

 

[reefndude]

3 b+ 2c+ 1 actinic

 

[ericdm]

On my 340 72x36x30 I run 8 80watt ati t5 with lps and huge happy clam in sand bed I run 4 blue plus 2 coral plus and 2 aqua blue special when bulb change comes it will be 5 blue plus these bulbs have high par 2 coral plus also high par and a purple plus for the pinks and reds

 

[juice79]

Those of you that have added t5 to your led setup, do you lose the shimmer that led produces?

 

[Chris Lakies]

I like the combo of 3 blue +, 2 coral + and Actinic.

If you want it more white 2 Blue +, 3 Coral + and actinic.

 

[wicz101]

I am running a 6 bulb ATI sunpower dimmable, and i am happy with it, plenty of light for a standard 90gallon. I like a medium blue look somewhere between a 14k and 20k. I am running 4 blue+, 1 purple+ and 6500k, and I say it some where around 15k to 16k in color. I have buddy running LEDs, says he can't get a blue similar to what he sees on my tank.

 

[Ssteve]

Yes you'll loose most of the shimmer. Im running two blue+ bulbs with two kessil a350w's(the shimmer kings) and the T5's wash out most of it unless I crank them up to 100% and even still its not much shimmer. I only run the T5's for a few hrs a day though so most viewing is under the kessils.

 

[rtparty]

On my ATI LED PowerModule there is still shimmer with 4 bulbs running at 100% and the LEDs around 30%.

 

[newe70]

I sold two of my Maxspect Razors and bought a 48" 4x64w dimmable Sunpower ATI. It has been running for nearly two weeks for burning in now. I have noticed some nice polyp extensions on my sps. Very pleased with the ATI T5 so far.

 

[Fphipps]

Let me ask you guys this... do I need to acclimate my corals to the T5s? if so how would I go about this? Also how high off my tank should the lights be? I have mostly soft corals and LPS but I am interested in trying a few SPS other than my montipora.

 

[newe70]

I sold two of my Maxspect Razors and bought a 48" 4x64w dimmable Sunpower ATI. It has been running for nearly two weeks for burning in now. I have noticed some nice polyp extensions on my sps. Very pleased with the ATI T5 so far.

Corrections:
6x54w dimmable Sunpower ATI.