Aquatic Life T5 Hybrid with Kessil AP700

[|sCRIBe|]

I have the redsea reefer 625xxl and it’s 60” wide. I have 2 ap700’s mounted using the kessil arms as pictured below. Can I mount the 61” t5 hybrid to the 4 kessil arms?

 

[DrBrownThumb]

Similar combo here and excited to see it start growing coral. 2 kessil 160's and 4 T5's using 2 coral plus and 2 blue plus. Made a floating canopy for it.

 

[GodfathR]

I have the redsea reefer 625xxl and it’s 60” wide. I have 2 ap700’s mounted using the kessil arms as pictured below. Can I mount the 61” t5 hybrid to the 4 kessil arms?

I have mine currently attached to brackets from my AP700 arms. I only have 1 AP700 with the 48" light.

 

[|sCRIBe|]

I have mine currently attached to brackets from my AP700 arms. I only have 1 AP700 with the 48" light.

Would you mind posting another pic or two of the top where they attach. This is what I’d like to do

 

[GodfathR]

Would you mind posting another pic or two of the top where they attach. This is what I’d like to do

Here you go. I simply got longer screws and used nylon spacers to get the bracket a little higher off the fixture.

 

[GodfathR]

I used 1 1/4" screws with half inch long nylon spacers.

 

[Kyl]

Guys, please don't suspend the hybrid fixture off those glass-mount arms, and especially relying on the LED brackets to support that weight with four small screws into a shallow aluminum profile, as it seems to appear above. It may work short term, but if that ever gets bumped into I'd hate for someone to hear crack and everything go to heck, or flat out a screw point fails and part of that fixture falls into the tank.

I think Dave @AquaticLifeProducts will echo those statements. There exist stand-mount arms available, or if you're more DIY other suspension or direct-mount methods can be used.

 

[|sCRIBe|]

Guys, please don't suspend the hybrid fixture off those glass-mount arms, and especially relying on the LED brackets to support that weight with four small screws into a shallow aluminum profile, as it seems to appear above. It may work short term, but if that ever gets bumped into I'd hate for someone to hear crack and everything go to heck, or flat out a screw point fails and part of that fixture falls into the tank.

I think Dave @AquaticLifeProducts will echo those statements. There exist stand-mount arms available, or if you're more DIY other suspension or direct-mount methods can be used.

Where are these stand mount arms you speak of? How heavy is the t5 fixture with bulbs? The kessil arms are strong and mount onto the glass well.

 

[Hemmdog]

Where are these stand mount arms you speak of? How heavy is the t5 fixture with bulbs? The kessil arms are strong and mount onto the glass well.

The real mounts drill into the stand in multiple points. The hybrid is heavy, godfather is playing with fire lol.

 

[GodfathR]

Guys, please don't suspend the hybrid fixture off those glass-mount arms, and especially relying on the LED brackets to support that weight with four small screws into a shallow aluminum profile, as it seems to appear above. It may work short term, but if that ever gets bumped into I'd hate for someone to hear crack and everything go to heck, or flat out a screw point fails and part of that fixture falls into the tank.

I think Dave @AquaticLifeProducts will echo those statements. There exist stand-mount arms available, or if you're more DIY other suspension or direct-mount methods can be used.

Ivam not worried at all about the mounts on the glass. You do bring up a great point about the 4 small screws in the bracket. I'm going to have to rethink that and come up with a better way to attach the bracket.

 

[AquaticLifeProducts]

The weight of the fixture is not much, but its 18" wide and the tension or torque on the back glass if it gets bumped could be a problem. If mounted with the extensions to the stand, it would take away my concerns.

Also, I would not put all the weight on the 4 small bracket screws like Kyl mentioned. They will not support the weight, they are there to stop the brackets from sliding in the fixtures channels. It you drill through the fixture or use the T screw channels that would be better. I have some longer T screws if you want to give them a try. Just send me a PM with your address.

 

[GodfathR]

The weight of the fixture is not much, but its 18" wide and the tension or torque on the back glass if it gets bumped could be a problem. If mounted with the extensions to the stand, it would take away my concerns.

Also, I would not put all the weight on the 4 small bracket screws like Kyl mentioned. They will not support the weight, they are there to stop the brackets from sliding in the fixtures channels. It you drill through the fixture or use the T screw channels that would be better. I have some longer T screws if you want to give them a try. Just send me a PM with your address.

I do plan on making extensions from the arms down into my stand and bolting them in for added support. As far as the longer screws go, I greatly appreciate it. I am shooting you a PM now.
Thank you very much.

 

[240GREEF]

Im running 4 5ft T5 sticks with the 2 AP 700's. It definitely is a night and day difference from when i just had the 700's on there.

 

[MFR]

Does anyone know if I can fit 3 AP700s on a 61” fixture?

Thanks!

 

[1stNoel]

You should be able to. Each AP700 is 20" long. The tighter squeeze is the width as the wire is tough to maneuver through.

I initially had 3 AP700s spread across two 48" fixtures. I've since added Radions to get an awesome combo of coral pop and shimmer!

 

[Steve Elb]

Crabs is now sporting the Kessil T5 combo, and I have to say i'm really liking it so far.
Thanks to Matt @BoomCorals for all his help!

The light is on and working!!
Home and ready to go

Right out of the box

Hanging Kit on

Side brackets on and AP700 mounted next comes the bulbs

Lights on, blue and coral +

Blue and purple

Bulbs on kessil off

All lights on

Resting on the tank waiting to be hung, WAKE UP EVERYONE!

Hung, light sits 11 inches off the waters surface

Hanging kit

Hung and lights on

Going to figure out what to do with the wiring in the upcomming days.
Also going to work on getting some par numbers soon too
Let me know what you think below

I have the same fixture with 2 360x in it. An awesome setup.

 

[NickRios]

Just your standard on-off timer. I ran mine for 8 hours and had the ap700 run for 10 hours. Ap700 would kick on and ramp up for an hour and then the t5s would kick on for 8 hours and then the t5s would kick off akd the ap700 would ramp down to off for an hour not a whole lot of heat generated, but a fan wouldnt be a bad idea.

Hey Crabs, thank you for all the info. I currently have the AP700 on my 4' 90 gallon and moving to the Aquatic Life 48" T5 combo. I noticed that you have used your AP700 at different powers over the last year. My question is, have you found a perfect schedule for all you lights and settings yet? I currently run my AP700 for 12 hours (10-10) ramping up from 15% to 100% (for the middle two hours) then back down. I know I will have to turn down my AP700 with this combo just wanting to see what you have gone thru and what you like best? Also, what height off the water have you found best. Thank you again for all this info!

Nick

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hey Crabs, thank you for all the info. I currently have the AP700 on my 4' 90 gallon and moving to the Aquatic Life 48" T5 combo. I noticed that you have used your AP700 at different powers over the last year. My question is, have you found a perfect schedule for all you lights and settings yet? I currently run my AP700 for 12 hours (10-10) ramping up from 15% to 100% (for the middle two hours) then back down. I know I will have to turn down my AP700 with this combo just wanting to see what you have gone thru and what you like best? Also, what height off the water have you found best. Thank you again for all this info!

Nick

8"-10" off the waters surface seems to be the sweet spot. On your 90 you'll have to go a little higher with a single ap700 (12 to 14")but I found on my 40 breeder the ap700 with 4 ati blue+ bulbs that 35 to 40% intensity gave me 250 to 400 par everywhere in the tank. On your 90 being taller and longer you'll likely want to be in the 75-100%

 

[NickRios]

8"-10" off the waters surface seems to be the sweet spot. On your 90 you'll have to go a little higher with a single ap700 (12 to 14")but I found on my 40 breeder the ap700 with 4 ati blue+ bulbs that 35 to 40% intensity gave me 250 to 400 par everywhere in the tank. On your 90 being taller and longer you'll likely want to be in the 75-100%

How long should I run the T5s? I run the AP700 for 12hrs

 

[Crabs McJones]

How long should I run the T5s? I run the AP700 for 12hrs

Run the ap700 for 10 hours, 1 hour ramp up, 8 hours at your set max intensity, then an hour ramp down, and have the t5s on for the 8 hours at peak led intensity

Oh and welcome to R2R!!