T5 Advice

[RDuhb]

I'm upgrading from my 75 to a 125. I've decided to try T5's instead sticking with my Kessils. The question I have is whether to go with 4 or 6 bulbs. The fixture with be 60". Space is limited in my hood, but I should be able to get a 6 bulb setup in there if I use a retrofit style fixture. The bulbs are 80 watt. The plan is to go with a mixed reef. Anyone have a similar setup? Will a mixed reef thrive with only 320 watts of T5? Thanks!

 

[Potatohead]

How deep is the tank (front to back). Typically you want one T5 per 4" or so, every 3" for SPS.

 

[MrDaniel]

I would definitely recommend using 6 bulbs or more. If you plan on keeping SPS coral you'll likely find that 4 bulbs is not enough light. Have you considered keeping the Kessil's and using both T5 and LED. I find this to be a great combination that provides the softness of the T5's with the crispness and pop of the LED's. It also seems to do a great job growing my corals!

 

[RDuhb]

The tank is 18" front to back and 21" deep. In regards to a T5/LED combo, I might have to consider that. But I would most likely be limited to 2 T5 fixtures (4 bulbs).

 

[soverjas]

The tank is 18" front to back and 21" deep. In regards to a T5/LED combo, I might have to consider that. But I would most likely be limited to 2 T5 fixtures (4 bulbs).

since you said you had a hood I would retro fit T5 and keep the kessil also. great deals on the retro kits right now. If space is a issue check out the LET retrofit kit. I believe they also have a dimable t5 version.

 

[RDuhb]

So here's the T5/LED combo I'm considering:

T5's
2 - 2x80w Aruba Sun T5 retrofit fixture 60"
2 - Aquablue Special Bulbs - ATI
1 - Blue Plus Bulb - ATI
1 - Purple Plus Bulb - ATI

LED
4 Kessil A160WE

Any thoughts?

 

[pisanoal]

I did a build very similar to yours a few months ago. I went with the Mira 80watt retros on my standard 125. Managed to fit 6 bulbs and a diy led light strip down the middle. I hit 450 par about 3 inches off the sand bed in places with salt creep on some bulbs and improperly cooling. My lights are only about 5" off the surface with no shield. I run 3 ATI coral+ and 3 ati blue+ with only about 90watts of leds.

 

[pisanoal]

So here's the T5/LED combo I'm considering:

T5's
2 - 2x80w Aruba Sun T5 retrofit fixture 60"
2 - Aquablue Special Bulbs - ATI
1 - Blue Plus Bulb - ATI
1 - Purple Plus Bulb - ATI

LED
4 Kessil A160WE

Any thoughts?

If its a standard 125, spacing the 4 kessils would be interesting. You would run into issues with the bracing.3 360s would be better, or just 3 160s centered in the 3 sections the bracing creates.

Also greatly depends on rockwork and coral plans as far as if your lighting will be sufficient. If properly executed, based on my experiences so far, you should have plenty of light to do almost any sps up high in the right spots. If you went with 6 T5s, you would most likely struggle with low light corals anywhere but the very ends or under big overhangs.

Also sounds very blue for your T5 choice

 

[Bpb]

I agree with the above. 4x60" 80 watt t5ho (like the Hamilton or giesemann retrofit kits, plug n play), with 3 a160we units running center line. Keep that 4th one in case something fails and you need a replacement in a pinch , or sell it.


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[RDuhb]

My tank is a 125 with corner overflows. Even though it's a 125 it only has one center brace. That's why I was going with four Kessil A160's; two in each section.

 

[Bpb]

4 it is. Most 125 standard have the two center braces


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[RDuhb]

4 it is. Most 125 standard have the two center braces


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It's an older tank. Got it off craigslist.

 

[soverjas]

So here's the T5/LED combo I'm considering:

T5's
2 - 2x80w Aruba Sun T5 retrofit fixture 60"
2 - Aquablue Special Bulbs - ATI
1 - Blue Plus Bulb - ATI
1 - Purple Plus Bulb - ATI

LED
4 Kessil A160WE

Any thoughts?

Personally I would trade the AB special and purple for coral plus and add a second Blue plus. Coral plus is basically combining Aqua blue Special and Purple into one bulb with its spectrum. Then if you want a warmer kelvin adjust the Kessils.

 

[drummerboyevil]

Peope go overboard on T5 recommendations imo.

I ran a 6 bulb ATI on a 150 and 200 par at the sand bed was EASY. On an 18" wide tank 6 bulbs is FINE for SPS.

Maybe if you go with a cheaper fixture you'd need 8, but not with an ATI. Bulb choice obviously plays a role too... if you want to run 2 actinics or something then your par will suffer.

 

[soverjas]

Also sounds very blue for your T5 choice

To blue? That 4 bulb combo is almost white. Aquablue Special is a very white light with lots of Green and Red spectrum and Purple also has a huge spike in red and a smaller spike in green. That combo will be very white.

 

[gus6464]

You need a lot of blue to tone down the whiteness of AB Special. I ran one bulb on my ATI but I was pushing a LOT of blue along with 2 C+ and it cast a strong white.

 

[coralor]

Hope you don't mind me butting in here, but I have a similar question I'd appreciate input on if that's ok?
Looking to upgrade to a larger custom peninsula tank (dimensions 54" L x 22" H x 34" W) and I'd also like to make use of my Kessil 160's in conjunction with either one 48" x 8 bulb ATI sun sun power down the middle (Kessils on sides) or two 48" 4 bulb ATI's flanking 3 or 4 Kessil's. The tank will be predominantly SPS but some LPS as well.
Any suggestions as to which way would be better?

 

[pisanoal]

To blue? That 4 bulb combo is almost white. Aquablue Special is a very white light with lots of Green and Red spectrum and Purple also has a huge spike in red and a smaller spike in green. That combo will be very white.

I was thinking ab special was very blue. I'm thinking of a different bulb

My tank is a 125 with corner overflows. Even though it's a 125 it only has one center brace. That's why I was going with four Kessil A160's; two in each section.

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[RDuhb]

Now I am considering 2 coral plus and 2 purple plus.



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[drummerboyevil]

3 blue plus and 1 purple plus is ATI's recommendation for a 20k look with four bulbs. 2 c+ and 2p+ is going to be reallllllly white/red


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