Which t5 system should I choose?

M

Matt850

New member
I guess I can start out with the story. I have a 90g that has been set up for about 3 years and been fish only for a lot of that time. I have always had great aspirations of doing coral and the few times that I tried have gone well. When I first set up the tank I found a fixture that is a 2x250 watt MH system. One of the ballasts just blew and I want to use it as an opportunity to move on and get back into corals. (yeah i know it is cheaper to get a new ballast but an excuse is an excuse) I have been looking at T5 units as a replacement but honestly just because I like the customization of bulbs and fading capabilities. My questions are this: Which system should I go with? How many bulbs are needed for say, an anemone or sps?

I figure I can get more into the customization later, for now I just want a trustworthy and long lasting fixture that wont break the bank. There are two units that interest me. The first is the Current Nova Extreme Pro T-5 Fixture which is only 6 bulbs and seems to have limited light cycle capabilities, but its a seemingly great deal at just $330. The second is the AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture which at $520 is pushing my budget but seems to have everything I could ask for. Is there a gem that I am overlooking? Is there one clear winner over the other (given price as a consideration) to meet my needs?

Thanks so much for the responses! This forum has been a blessing over the years.
 
IMO, based on the opinions of many others on RC, these are my top 5 T5HO fixtures (using both performance and value as criteria):

1. ATI Powermodule - overall best build with stainless steel enclosure, best reflectors, best ballasts, highest PAR output
2. ATI Sunpower - similar to #1 but with fewer fans and aluminum enclosure
3. Sunlight Supply TEK Elite - similar to ATI but less expensive and less PAR output. Doesn't come with a hanging kit like the ATIs.
4. Sunlight Supply TEK (regular) - Similar to TEK Elite but no fans. Resulting heat can degrade performance. Not as nice aesthetically, but not ugly either.
5. Current USA Nova Extreme - very good value, comes with fans. Doesn't have individual parabolic reflectors like the other four. Kind of ugly.

I ended up with the 6x54 watt ATI sunpower and am very satisfied with it. The $100 premium over the TEKs has already been long forgotten, and meanwhile my LPS are thriving at the bottom of my 30" tall tank (with SPS at the top). If my tank were shorter and/or if I weren't planning to keep SPS, it's very likely that I would've ended up with a TEK elite or even a regular TEK.
 
I agree with bongarone's list. If I had money, I'd get the ATI fixtures. But the best value and price point for me was the Tek Light fixture. For your tank, I'd consider at least a 6 bulb setup, and fans pointing at the endcaps.
 
With your budget I'd go with a 4 bulb 48in ati sunpower. I like the color I'm getting with my 4 bulb 24in sunpower (ati blue+ x2, KZ new generation, ati purple+) So far it's been plenty of light in my 24x18x18 tank and you'd be saving energy and bulb replacement cost. I'm sure you could keep a solid mixed reef with 4 bulbs including a nem and sps.
 
I should also mention I used a 36in Nova Extreme pro over a 75 48x18x20 and it worked well for my mixed reef. It supported sps from top to bottom. I really prefer the ati sunpower I have now. It's quieter and is a far more solid piece of equipment. It is as bright with four bulbs as the NEP was with 6.
 
bongarone said:
IMO, based on the opinions of many others on RC, these are my top 5 T5HO fixtures (using both performance and value as criteria):

1. ATI Powermodule - overall best build with stainless steel enclosure, best reflectors, best ballasts, highest PAR output
2. ATI Sunpower - similar to #1 but with fewer fans and aluminum enclosure
3. Sunlight Supply TEK Elite - similar to ATI but less expensive and less PAR output. Doesn't come with a hanging kit like the ATIs.
4. Sunlight Supply TEK (regular) - Similar to TEK Elite but no fans. Resulting heat can degrade performance. Not as nice aesthetically, but not ugly either.
5. Current USA Nova Extreme - very good value, comes with fans. Doesn't have individual parabolic reflectors like the other four. Kind of ugly.

I ended up with the 6x54 watt ATI sunpower and am very satisfied with it. The $100 premium over the TEKs has already been long forgotten, and meanwhile my LPS are thriving at the bottom of my 30" tall tank (with SPS at the top). If my tank were shorter and/or if I weren't planning to keep SPS, it's very likely that I would've ended up with a TEK elite or even a regular TEK.
Click to expand...

I agree. I am going with the Tek Light (regular) based on the needs for my tank.
 
Thanks for the responses overnight, I was curious as to why we didn't have a response about the Aquatic Life fixture. I thought I had done some pretty good research but that's why I always ask. Any input on that one? I would have to look at the TEK light to stay close to budget because I would need to buy the lights and legs. (sorry, forgot to mention the need for legs) I realize even with the fixtures that come with lights, I would want to replace them, but it doesn't have to be immediately. The Aquatic Life fixture almost seems too good... bit over $500 with starter bulbs, automated timer built in, legs. Whats the catch?
 
I have a new 95 gallon Glass Cages tank with star fire glass and 16" high sides that I am designing a custom stand for. My intention is to set it up as a standalone grow out tank since my reef is getting crowded. I plan to grow ricordia, mushrooms, LPS, and some chalices. Its possible that as my anemone keeps splitting, he may end up in there over time until I find the "new" half a home.

I am looking at the ATI 4 bulb fixture, but I am wondering what the optimal mounting height above the water is? I want it to look classy, but I still want plenty of room to work and also to use a top down viewer from time to time.

What height off the water do you guys recommend since this is a uniquely lower sided tank than normal?

Do you think I need to get the 6 bulb fixture if I want to have the lights 12+ inches off the water?

Someone else suggested I use a pulley system to raise and lower the lights as needed above the tank, but I'm trying to keep it simple.
 
Matt850 said:
I was curious as to why we didn't have a response about the Aquatic Life fixture.
Click to expand...

It's not that great of a value. You can get the regular TEK from Reefgeek for $416. Add legs and it's still $50 less than the AquaticLife. For a similar price to the AquaticLife, you can step up to to the TEK Elite, and that's a no brainer. These prices include bulbs, and I believe you can choose whichever bulbs you want, and the bulbs you want are ATIs, which ReefGeek carries (blue plus, coral plus, purple plus, search RC for "ATI bulb choice".

"Starter" bulbs are more less useless. You think you won't outgrow them for a year, but you'll really want new ones after just a few months when your tank stabilizes and you start filling it up with coral.
 
Bongarone's list is spot on from everything I've been reading. Lighting sucks as an expense in my book, do it right the first time and you'll save money in the long run not having to do it over again.
 
bongarone said:
It's not that great of a value. You can get the regular TEK from Reefgeek for $416. Add legs and it's still $50 less than the AquaticLife. For a similar price to the AquaticLife, you can step up to to the TEK Elite, and that's a no brainer. These prices include bulbs, and I believe you can choose whichever bulbs you want, and the bulbs you want are ATIs, which ReefGeek carries (blue plus, coral plus, purple plus, search RC for "ATI bulb choice".

"Starter" bulbs are more less useless. You think you won't outgrow them for a year, but you'll really want new ones after just a few months when your tank stabilizes and you start filling it up with coral.
Click to expand...

That's awesome, thanks for the response. I wasn't trying to be cheap but I like to get good opinions and reasoning behind choices. I have not looked at reefgeek but now that I have, I am thinking a 48" 6x54W Tek Light Elite T5 High-Output Fixture w/ Bulbs (Graphite). Done and done, thanks so much for the advice from everyone... on to choosing the 6 bulbs.
 
I had an AquaticLife fixture for a previous tank. It worked well for my needs at that time (I mainly had softies and zoas), although I had to replace the stock bulbs with ATI bulbs. It was convenient to have built-in timers for actinics, daylight, and moonlight LEDs, all on one power cord. I only had it for a year, but I'd be worried if the built-in timers ever malfunctioned, which would make the entire fixture useless.
 
Matt850 said:
thanks so much for the advice from everyone... on to choosing the 6 bulbs.
Click to expand...

My rec (thanks to the recs of other RC members) would be

4 x ATI Blue Plus
1 x ATI Purple Plus
1 x ATI Coral Plus

I initially thought this setup would be too blue, and that would be true for a FOWLR, but for a reef, it's pretty much right on.
 
bongarone said:
My rec (thanks to the recs of other RC members) would be

4 x ATI Blue Plus
1 x ATI Purple Plus
1 x ATI Coral Plus

I initially thought this setup would be too blue, and that would be true for a FOWLR, but for a reef, it's pretty much right on.
Click to expand...

This would be my choice too if I had 6 bulbs.
 
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