The T5 Q&a Thread - split
- Thread starter eagle9252
- Start date
archangel91
New member
I'm in the process of planning an upgrade from a 46gal bowfront to a 120gal 4x2x2 and after doing a bit more research than I did the first time, I'm thinking I'm going to go with T5's instead of the LED's. I plan on keeping mostly LPS (really love me some Acan's and Euphyllia), but would like to have the ability to add SPS down the line without having to upgrade the lights.
I have it down to between the Giesemann Matrixx II or the ATI Sunpower, but I'm just a little confused on if 6 or 8 bulb would be better for me. I'm leaning toward the 8 bulb since it will provide a better spread front to back, but will that be too much light for an LPS dominated tank?
Also, is a dimmable fixture worth looking into? and are any of them controllable via apex?
I have it down to between the Giesemann Matrixx II or the ATI Sunpower, but I'm just a little confused on if 6 or 8 bulb would be better for me. I'm leaning toward the 8 bulb since it will provide a better spread front to back, but will that be too much light for an LPS dominated tank?
Also, is a dimmable fixture worth looking into? and are any of them controllable via apex?
Bpb
New member
Without having owned either fixture I can at least give you some info I've collected. Take it for what it's worth.
I've read a lot more ballast failure stories from the dimmable sunpower units than the non dimmable.
The giesemann matrix looks really nice. Lovely physical features. You don't want that one hiding in a canopy. The edge in reflector design goes to the ati. Hands down. They both use flat/bent highly reflective material (as opposed to a true curved parabolic reflector used in the power module or the pac sun diuna). Difference is the sunpower reflectors have an extra bend and extend lower beyond the bulb meaning you get a lot more light reflected downward. For par purposes the ati seems to get higher par values for this reason, though in your case that may not be a positive.
Ati reflector
Giesemann reflector
The giesemann is also a 200-300 more expensive.
I would go with an 8 bulb fixture for coverage reasons and adjust your light levels based on fixture height and bulb choice. If it's too much light with an 8 bulb fixture...all you've gotta do is run 6 bulbs. If 6 bulbs isn't enough it's a lot more of a pain to replace the whole fixture or add a retro.
One victory in the giesemann camp is that their bulbs are broken up into 2 bulb channels. Whereas the ati has one 2 bulb and one 6 bulb channel so less flexibility on bulb staging. Hope that helps
I've read a lot more ballast failure stories from the dimmable sunpower units than the non dimmable.
The giesemann matrix looks really nice. Lovely physical features. You don't want that one hiding in a canopy. The edge in reflector design goes to the ati. Hands down. They both use flat/bent highly reflective material (as opposed to a true curved parabolic reflector used in the power module or the pac sun diuna). Difference is the sunpower reflectors have an extra bend and extend lower beyond the bulb meaning you get a lot more light reflected downward. For par purposes the ati seems to get higher par values for this reason, though in your case that may not be a positive.
Ati reflector
Giesemann reflector
The giesemann is also a 200-300 more expensive.
I would go with an 8 bulb fixture for coverage reasons and adjust your light levels based on fixture height and bulb choice. If it's too much light with an 8 bulb fixture...all you've gotta do is run 6 bulbs. If 6 bulbs isn't enough it's a lot more of a pain to replace the whole fixture or add a retro.
One victory in the giesemann camp is that their bulbs are broken up into 2 bulb channels. Whereas the ati has one 2 bulb and one 6 bulb channel so less flexibility on bulb staging. Hope that helps
mhucasey
Acros & wieners, oh my!
Go with an 8 bulb, non dimmable fixture. The LPS won't have an issue with two extra bulbs and you will get proper spread. Almost all problems with T5 fixtures I've heard seem to be on dimmable fixtures.
shred5
Premium Member
I own both and I like the Giesemann, both are good fixtures but I prefer the way they break up the bulbs on Giesemann better ( 1 cord per two lamp ballast) and I also think it is a by far better looking fixture, not just a piece of bent aluminum. I have also have had ballast issues, fan issues and power supply issues with the ATI fixtures. I have not had my Giesemann as long though. It also is easier for me to change the lamps, with ATI I can not seem to get a grip one the bulbs because of the narrow reflectors, So frustrating. Those narrow reflectors probably add a little more punch for light.
Tanks with width of 12"-16" 4 lamp.
tanks 16" -20" 6 lamps
tanks 20"+ 8 lamps
This is what I go with as a guide for lamps.
Shallow tanks you can raise the fixture higher so you can go a little wider.
I am also not a fan of dimmable t-5, the lamps are not made to be dimmed.
Last edited:
archangel91
New member
thanks for the replies guys, sounds like the 8 bulb will be my best bet. Probably the Giesemann based on the 4 channels vice 2, and the availability of mounting arms so I wouldn't have to hang it
shred5
Premium Member
shred5
Premium Member
Yea I have made a couple.
I just go to home depot and they bend the conduit for me.
I then cut the length I want and drill a whole and paint.
Then attach to the back of my stand.
Bpb
New member
The T5 Q&a Thread - split
Yeah. I mean no offense at all by it. It's a clean hanging job and looks sharp. And I'm sure the contents of the tank are fantastic too. That's just some seriously bright light spread hitting the window across the room. Pet peeve I guess. Even a beautiful fixture like the giesemann would have to go inside a canopy for me. Can't handle the blinding light hitting me in the eyes when I drop below eye level
Yeah. I mean no offense at all by it. It's a clean hanging job and looks sharp. And I'm sure the contents of the tank are fantastic too. That's just some seriously bright light spread hitting the window across the room. Pet peeve I guess. Even a beautiful fixture like the giesemann would have to go inside a canopy for me. Can't handle the blinding light hitting me in the eyes when I drop below eye level
DiscusHeckel
Acropora Gardener
Parabolic reflectors supplied by ATI must be much superior to those rectangular looking Giesemann reflectors.
shred5
Premium Member
It is just the phone camera, it does not spill that much light. That room has very little light and my phone camera does not know how to handle the light.
If I actually took a picture with my camera of the tank in that light it would probably be a bright blurr.
It does light up the room some though it is alot of light.
Plus the fixture is up a little higher in the picture, I raise it sometimes when I work on the tank..
Halides bounce around the most light with T-5 bouncing less light and led even less. That is one of the reasons they are more efficient.
mhucasey
Acros & wieners, oh my!
That combo is fine for color and growth, but ultimately it will be up to you as to whether you like the look. My tastes change from time to time, currently I am more pleased by a whiter look.
On one of my tanks, the 6 bulb light is set up with the following and I like it:
C+-B+-Giesemann Super Purple-B+-C+-B+
SPS_Addiction
New member
CoralNerd
Active member
To achieve a whiter look what should I swap out?
I thought you were a die hard on the KZ Fiji Purple, what happened?
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