Aquatic Life T5 Hybrid with Kessil AP700

[WWIII]

Hard to go wrong with Kessils and t5s! Looks awesome! I have 8 bulb t5, with kessil 360s, can't beat it for looks and happy corals imo. I've been debating adding in 2 blue reefbrite xho's to replace 2 of the t5 bulbs. Haven't made up my mind 100% yet

 

[BoomCorals]

Once a year is it?

12-18 months yea.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I will need to look into this. Did not even consider it.

I'm considering getting different screws though, as these ones have the v neck to them. If I get flat bottomed screws it'll sit better

From this

To this

 

[Mal11224]

I'm considering getting different screws though, as these ones have the v neck to them. If I get flat bottomed screws it'll sit better

From this

To this

Makes sense. That looks great. Will use this idea for mine
Will make it easier to adjust the entire unit if necessary. Thanks buddy!

 

[Fudsey]

Color me Green with envy...... jealous

 

[Crabs McJones]

I will need to look into this. Did not even consider it.

I'm considering getting different screws though, as these ones have the v neck to them. If I get flat bottomed screws it'll sit better

From this

To this

Makes sense. That looks great. Will use this idea for mine
Will make it easier to adjust the entire unit if necessary. Thanks buddy!

These are the screws I ended up going with, looks better than the other screws

 

[Mal11224]

These are the screws I ended up going with, looks better than the other screws

This looks good. The look like the kessil screws I had for my A160s. Nice job! Will work on mine this weekend.

 

[Crabs McJones]

 

[Flyin High]

I placed mine about 12" off the surface. I changed out my purple plus for a blue plus.
@crabs_machines how did you secure your AP700?
Pics of my setup.
Before with my 2 build T5

After with the hybrid. Definitely a cleaner look.

Looks amazing. I’m thinking about doing the same thing as you did with the Kessil arms. Are you concerned with the with of both fixtures being attached to the tank? Curious if the fixture adds a lot more weight. Thanks and nice work.

 

[Mal11224]

Looks amazing. I’m thinking about doing the same thing as you did with the Kessil arms. Are you concerned with the with of both fixtures being attached to the tank? Curious if the fixture adds a lot more weight. Thanks and nice work.

Thanks! The hybrid is actully hanging from the ceiling. I just hung it in between the Kessil fixture.
I am actually going to remove the arms and attach the AP700 to the fixture like @crabs_mcjones did. This way it becomes one fixture and I will be able to adjust as such. Will take pics and post once I'm done.

 

[Mal11224]

I took the arms down and attached the AP700 to the hybrid. Thanks for the idea @crabs_mcjones.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I took the arms down and attached the AP700 to the hybrid. Thanks for the idea @crabs_mcjones.

Looks sharp! I would highly recommend getting different bolts like I did for a cleaner look. But the stock ones will work

 

[Mal11224]

Looks sharp! I would highly recommend getting different bolts like I did for a cleaner look. But the stock ones will work

Yeah, I will definitely do that. Seemed like there was just enough room to fit the AP700 in there. The cord made it a tighter fit.

 

[[Cameron]]

Big fan of this setup. Replacing MH with LED but keeping the blanket light output of T5s seems like a big win all the way around.

I wish the power cable layout of the Aqualife fixture was more thought out. It would be great if it had legs to sit over a tank with cable management built in. I suspect a revision or a copy cat is going to nail the design soon though.

 

[WhiskyTango]

Crabs, nice - I’ve been wondering if a AP700 would fit in there.

So now you have 3 power cords for lighting?

 

[WhiskyTango]

I'm considering getting different screws though, as these ones have the v neck to them. If I get flat bottomed screws it'll sit better

From this

To this

Right, counter sink to pan head. I’d also add a small washer to distribute the load on your brackets and prevent possible deformation.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Correct. The two for the t5's which I have on a digital timer, and the ap700

Crabs, nice - I’ve been wondering if a AP700 would fit in there.

So now you have 3 power cords for lighting?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Big fan of this setup. Replacing MH with LED but keeping the blanket light output of T5s seems like a big win all the way around.

I wish the power cable layout of the Aqualife fixture was more thought out. It would be great if it had legs to sit over a tank with cable management built in. I suspect a revision or a copy cat is going to nail the design soon though.

If they could have combined the cords and have just one power cord it'd be better

 

[Fudsey]

Or at least came out of the same side....

 

[DangerDave]

Crabs how are you liking this set up so far? I’m considering the 60 to hang my two ap700s from. I was worried it would be too much light. I never really get over 50% on the ap700s as it is...

Dave