AQUATIC LIFE HYBRID VS GIESEMANN STELLAR VS RETROFIT

[RabbitReef]

Would like to see what the community's consensuses are on hybrid lighting. I have looked at several retrofit fixtures, mainly for ease of install. I'm trying to think what would be a better solution for me on a 60" tank. Aquatic Life has a 61" and Gieseman has a 59". Thinking this may be too tight of fit for me and drop it down to a 48" fixture. Also looking to add 4 XR15W G4 pros or 2 XR30W G4 pros. Thinking I may get a better spread with the 4-15w vs the 2-30w, but on a 48" may be able to get away with 3-xr15w pros.

The other thought process I have is just going with two sets of 48" Reef Brite supra duals having a total of 4 T5 and then adding two Reef Brite XHO led strips down the center of the T5.

Would like to see some opinions. Thanks

 

[Dsnakes]

I’m happy with my aquatic life T5 hybrid fixture. I have the 60” over a 72” tank with 2 Kessil AP700s.

 

[DangerDave]

I’m happy with my aquatic life T5 hybrid fixture. I have the 60” over a 72” tank with 2 Kessil AP700s.

I have this same set up, it works great. Good luck choosing!

 

[RabbitReef]

Looks like I have decided to run some Radions with t5. But may have hit several issues which may need to be resolved. The canopy I have is not very tall at all, in fact I will have a total of 5" to mount inside of the canopy to tank rim. This being said mounting a Radion at 1.5" wouldn't give me much room at all between the water surface and the fixture.

I suppose the simple method would be to raise the canopy. Looking at the canopy today I can either extend the sides all the way around to whatever height needed. As much as I like the "clean/sleek" look I could find a settle trim piece to go around the canopy face to extend for the added height.
Another thought process would be to just make a canopy from scratch-build to desired needs and call it a day.

I know in the original post I said 60" but come to find out when I went to pick up there was a 72x27x27, which I ended up with. Brought home and I think this was the better option after all. This being said, I think the 60" fixture is where I'll want to be. As far as the Radions fixtures go, I am having a tough time planning out the best approach. I have two braces that run on top of the tank, so I'd like to have the fixtures set around this brace:
3 xr15, one in each "section"
1 xr30 in the center and 2 xr15's on the outer ends.
3 xr30s one in each "section"

Plans to have a mix reef so my worries on the tank dimensions front to back, will the radions with t5's be enough?
Thanks guys

 

[nbagnardi]

I’m happy with my aquatic life T5 hybrid fixture. I have the 60” over a 72” tank with 2 Kessil AP700s.

hey man, can you please post or send me a message with some pics of your setup? i have 2 ap700's as well and im stepping up to a 6' tank as well. i'd love to see how you did it. i heard that you need to modify a few things to make the ap700's fit?

 

[Dsnakes]

hey man, can you please post or send me a message with some pics of your setup? i have 2 ap700's as well and im stepping up to a 6' tank as well. i'd love to see how you did it. i heard that you need to modify a few things to make the ap700's fit?

I will get a couple pictures when I get off work tonight! I didn’t ‘modify’ anything really, just had to get some longer screws to attach the Kessils in the T5 brackets.

 

[nbagnardi]

I will get a couple pictures when I get off work tonight! I didn’t ‘modify’ anything really, just had to get some longer screws to attach the Kessils in the T5 brackets.

hey my man, any luck?

 

[madweazl]

The AquaticLife is a handy unit but its PAR output vs other T5 options is dismal. I'm pretty happy with mine outside of PAR performance but know that going in.

 

[Dsnakes]

hey my man, any luck?

Sorry so late! I kept forgetting ;Facepalm I snapped a few this morning before work, sorry for being so blue.

I just have them hanging with the kit. They have 2 cords for the T5s, but there is a way to link them to one. Then each Kessil has it’s own cord.

I bought longer screws to fit the bracket and into the Kessil. I only had a few washers laying around but used them on a few spots for my personal reassurance.