T5 or led lighting for mixed reef
- Thread starter Xbreakxitxdownx
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jt17
Valuable Member
You could install 2 3' t5 retrofits for less than that. You could squeeze 4 t5s in there but that would be allot of light and not much space left for a led strip, but given your tank depth that might not be a bad idea if you can fit it all in there. The real stinger to the wallet is the reefbrite strips ( if you go that highly recommended route). I just snagged a 4' reefbrite xho in the marketplace for $250 and that was a good price.
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Xbreakxitxdownx
Active Member
Does the reefbrite come with the mounts and stuff or is it just the bulb?
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Xbreakxitxdownx
Active Member
Sorry im new to this hobby
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Xbreakxitxdownx
Active Member
LetItReef
2500 Club Member
Good choice!
Make sure to get the instructions on thier website first.
Package does not come with it.
ColaAddict
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What is your favorite combo with the reefbrites/T5? I have been looking for best combo for mine
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Xbreakxitxdownx
Active Member
I heard tek is a really good company
jt17
Valuable Member
Reefbrite is a strip of LEDs. The reefbrite xho has twice the number of LEDs than the standard strip. They come completely assembled with mounting brackets and everything you need. With reefbrite strips you can mount a 4' strip in a 4' canopy.
The t5 retrofit consists of the mounts to hold the bulbs, the reflectors and the ballast for power. You can screw the mounts into the top of your canopy. It does take a little more work than a store bought fixture but will not cost as much. You can use t5s that are they length of the tank but if ATI recommends one foot shorter than the length of the tank than that's what I do. I've been assuming you have a canopy over the tank but it you do not have a canopy then a fixture like the one in post 25 will work great and if you add a reefbrite strip to a fixture then you would want one that is the same length as the fixture so you can mount the reefbrite to the fixture.
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Xbreakxitxdownx
Active Member
I do have a canopy over my tank. So reefbright can connect to the t5 outlets or they are to separate things like t5 is only for the bulbs and reefbright is only for the led strip.
Fishbone
Active Member
Tek a decent light so long as it is actively cooled by a fan. I remember some of the older units didn't have a fan which kills bulb life and output, make sure any t5 system you get has fans. It is really important to cool T5 bulbs.
FX CharityCorals
Well-Known Member
My tanks gave 6 bulbs and run 4 ati blue plus and two coral plus with 2 reefbrites
Cblair
Community Member
Out of those 2 options i would choose the t5. I had an ai sol then an ecotech radion and as some have experienced my corals did not take well to led so i switched to a mix of all the big three... Metal halide 250w radium supplemented with t5 and a strip of royal blue and uv led's. All three together look awesome and still get the nice pop the led provide. Corals are very happy as well
SaltyReefer
Active Member
Does anyone have an above average T5 unit or setup for me to put on my tank?
I will be the Guinne pig.
I have a 96" x 29" (deep) x 18" (tall)
I currently have 4 AI Hydra's over the tank, 12" off water line and I am .......not unhappy....but not seeing results.
I have been thinking about doing a half and half experiment.
2 Hydras and (a T5 Recommendation) camparison....48" each
I will be the Guinne pig.
I have a 96" x 29" (deep) x 18" (tall)
I currently have 4 AI Hydra's over the tank, 12" off water line and I am .......not unhappy....but not seeing results.
I have been thinking about doing a half and half experiment.
2 Hydras and (a T5 Recommendation) camparison....48" each
I think people jumped the led boat too soon.
I switched over to led combined with led and even though there is a lot more light, you notice that some corals behave differently to this light.
Just because of this, I bought an halide fixing that I will combine with the the t5 and led at some point.
I switched over to led combined with led and even though there is a lot more light, you notice that some corals behave differently to this light.
Just because of this, I bought an halide fixing that I will combine with the the t5 and led at some point.
jt17
Valuable Member
They both have their own power source so they are controlled independently.
SleepEatCorals
unregistered
I would Highly recommend MH/T5 or just T5, I currently use ATI 6 Bulb with 4 Blue plus and 2 Coral Plus. Im gonna have to disagree on Leds can do what T5's can do! One T5 Put out way more Par then any Leds thats a Fact! Leds has came along way but their still not their with the white leds. T5 with the right bulbs will have more Growth and Color then Any Leds, Look at some of the best reef tanks and find one that runs Leds! Here are some Pictures of ATI Fixture with 4 Blue Plus and 2 Coral Plus!
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