T5 vs LED vs Other

Reeferman1019 said:
Thanks to everyone for all the replies I think I will go with T5's and supplement with LED's in the future. For a 48L x 24D x 12H is a 48" 4 Bulb T5 HO enough coverage? Going to outfit with ATI Bulbs 2 Blue+ and 2 Coral+. I will be hanging the fixture 12" over water line. Can the T5's be run for a 8-10 Hours per day? Looking into a fixture that doesn't have dimming capabilities. Not sure what the average user runs T5's per day.
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I would do a 36" fixture over a 48" tank. Seems logical that you'd want to match the length of the tank but it's actually not necessary and can look a little wonky.

Why am I recommending this? I received my 48" fixture to supplement the LEDs on my 4' tank last night and I'm sending it back because it's way too big.
 
ktownhero said:
I would do a 36" fixture over a 48" tank. Seems logical that you'd want to match the length of the tank but it's actually not necessary and can look a little wonky.

Why am I recommending this? I received my 48" fixture to supplement the LEDs on my 4' tank last night and I'm sending it back because it's way too big.
Click to expand...



Ok


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You don't need to dim or do any kind of dusk dawn - this is for the reefer, not the coral. Just turn them on for 8-10 hours when you are around and forget about it. Is your tank 24 wide or tall? If wide, I would get a 6 or 8 bulb ATI. Look for a used one - they are really nice and last for a long time.

My basic take on LED is that they can probably get you to 70-80% of where T5 and MH can. However, you might not ever know the difference, nor you might not ever care. If you think that you will know the difference or care, then stick with your T5 choice. If you ever get super into some of the more difficult acropora (not montis, birdsnest, stags, poci), you an always add more bulbs or a few MH.
 
jda said:
You don't need to dim or do any kind of dusk dawn - this is for the reefer, not the coral. Just turn them on for 8-10 hours when you are around and forget about it. Is your tank 24 wide or tall? If wide, I would get a 6 or 8 bulb ATI. Look for a used one - they are really nice and last for a long time.

My basic take on LED is that they can probably get you to 70-80% of where T5 and MH can. However, you might not ever know the difference, nor you might not ever care. If you think that you will know the difference or care, then stick with your T5 choice. If you ever get super into some of the more difficult acropora (not montis, birdsnest, stags, poci), you an always add more bulbs or a few MH.
Click to expand...



My tank is 24 inches wide and 12 tall. If I do go with a 6 bulb T5 fixture do I have to run all 6 bulbs at the same time. Reason being I wanted a 4 bulb was because I thought it would be better since my tank is shallow at 12 inches. My tank is 48 inches long so I will go with a 36 inch fixture


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You will need all 48 inches of T5 fixture. The poster above was saying that if you get a supplemental LED panel, to get one that is smaller since they spill light off of the edges. The T5 won't do this and you want to be end-to-end.

The problem with four bulbs is that they won't cover 24 deep very well unless you raise it way up. A pair of two-bulbs that has some distance between then would be better than a single four. I would get an 6 or an 8, but four could work. It depends on the fixture, but usually, you can turn them on in pairs, but read up before you buy one.
 
jda said:
You will need all 48 inches of T5 fixture. The poster above was saying that if you get a supplemental LED panel, to get one that is smaller since they spill light off of the edges. The T5 won't do this and you want to be end-to-end.

The problem with four bulbs is that they won't cover 24 deep very well unless you raise it way up. A pair of two-bulbs that has some distance between then would be better than a single four. I would get an 6 or an 8, but four could work. It depends on the fixture, but usually, you can turn them on in pairs, but read up before you buy one.
Click to expand...



I was looking into the BRS 4 bulb Sun Blaze in the 48inch length...now kinda can't decide either with the 36 vs 48 length


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jda said:
You will need all 48 inches of T5 fixture. The poster above was saying that if you get a supplemental LED panel, to get one that is smaller since they spill light off of the edges. The T5 won't do this and you want to be end-to-end.

The problem with four bulbs is that they won't cover 24 deep very well unless you raise it way up. A pair of two-bulbs that has some distance between then would be better than a single four. I would get an 6 or an 8, but four could work. It depends on the fixture, but usually, you can turn them on in pairs, but read up before you buy one.
Click to expand...
That's not what I was saying, he interpreted me correctly. I'm saying a 36" fixture for T5 no matter when they are alone or a supplement.

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My apologies for the misrepresentation of your comments. Sorry.

You might have to search pretty hard to find somebody else who suggests a 36" T5 fixture for a 48" tank. This is a mistake IMO. Your output is going to be small on the last 10-12 inches on each side of the tank instead of the last 4-6 inches.

ATI and Gieseman are VERY good. Aquamedic, if you can find one, are pretty good. Some of the Hydroponics fixtures are better than some of the cheap retro kits. A bad T5 setup is not really worth owning. A good one can grow anything and probably last a decade.
 
booyaa138 said:
just build a canopy yourself and use a retro fit kit. I just bought this one.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hamilton-aruba-sun-v-series-t5-ho-fluorescent-retrofit.html
just buy what ever you want and make the canopy big enough to add a fixture or LED's later.
You can make a canopy that sits on the tank or a floating one
Click to expand...



I was just gonna get a 48" 4 Bulb T5 and hang it over tank 12" over water line using 2 Blue+ and 2 Coral+ Bulbs


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Reeferman1019 said:
I was just gonna get a 48" 4 Bulb T5 and hang it over tank 12" over water line using 2 Blue+ and 2 Coral+ Bulbs


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Click to expand...

Just trying to give you a cheaper option. You said above you didn't want a fancy fixture with dimming and advanced features.
 
booyaa138 said:
Just trying to give you a cheaper option. You said above you didn't want a fancy fixture with dimming and advanced features.
Click to expand...



I will look into the BRS retrokit lighting options. The setup I listed above will work well too ya think?


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