ATI T5 or Photon V2

[rsyver]

So, this is my first time starting a thread on R2R but I've been stalking the forums for info for a while now. I've come to a point with equipment where some updating is needed and with it some input.
Long story short, I'm currently debating between an ATI 6 bulb T5 Sunpower or a ReefBreeders Photon V2 48" for my standard 90 gallon mixed reef. I'll be replacing two 2 bulb Deep Blue T5 fixtures and a 72 watt Aquatic Life led fixture. These have served me well enough for many years but the acrylic has cracked on the T5 fixtures and one of 3 rows of led's has just gone out on the Aquatic Life. This is enough of a reason (read excuse) for me to update my lighting.
The price point of these two fixtures is where I'm comfortable being (maybe I could splurge the extra $100 on the ATI to go dimmable). Both seem to have good reputations. However, my debate goes between the proven T5 tech by a major trusted brand vs the good and bad of an led fixture that comes from a "newer" company that doesn't have a local retailer.
If I go with the ATI, I may add a ReefBrite strip down the road for some pop and shimmer.
Thoughts?
Thank you in advance.

 

[cjd]

I went with the ATI 6 bulb dimmable version for my 75 gallon build, why? because they work . People have great success with leds too , but I wanted the simplicity of going back to t5's . If I had the funds $ or maybe down the road I would love a led /T5 combo. The V2 is thin enough to retrofit T5 's next to it on both sides , just another thought.

 

[smh254]

I have a 4 bulb ATI dimmable fixture with 2 Reefbrite strips. I wish I would have started with these instead of The leds I had . Switching was 1 of the best things I've done to my tank love this fixture.

 

[Bozoman]

Due to the nature of the question you will typically get a lot of people arguing for their own personal decision, or rather what people ended up buying for themselves, to justify and validate their own purchase. This is commonly referred to as choice-supportive bias. So for the nature of transparency, I am an ATI Sunpower 8x54w owner. Rather than telling you how awesome T5s are compared to LEDs I would like to point out what I believe are the drawbacks to T5s.

1. Cost over time - You should replace T5 bulbs every 9-12 months ideally. You can definitely go longer, but there will be a noticeable reduction in PAR and color past 6-9 months. This is a significant cost over the lifespan of the unit, but once the bulbs are replaced the unit will function as new. Some will argue electric bill savings, and there is some savings to be had here, but it is a small fraction of what you will spend replacing bulbs.

2. No shimmer - There is some evidence that suggests that the shimmer could have some health benefits to coral, but the significance here is the visual appearance. This really comes down to how important the shimmer effect is to you esthetically. Some reefers who use T5s modify their fixtures with LEDs to create shimmer in their tank, but due to the nature of the light output of T5s it can be challenging to get the shimmer effect that many want without dimming the bulbs significantly.

3. Flat light - T5s tend to make the tank look a little less lively compared LEDs. This however is also an esthetic's issue, and one of the major advantages of T5s vs other light sources is its ability to cover and light up everything in the tank. That means less shadows and contrast in the aquascape which can make the tank look a little more dull, but is actually an advantage in growing natural looking photosynthetic corals.

4. Fixture size/look - Some might argue that the size of the fixture is a drawback and that the smaller footprint of LEDs is more attractive and modern looking. Personally I can't deal with light leakage and never want to see the source of the light as it gives me headaches and I find it disruptive in my environment so not having a cover/hood is not an option for me.

You can't go wrong with T5s. And I believe it is the superior lighting choice for most reef tanks if the health and growth of the photosynthetic animals we keep is the primary concern. I also can't stand any form of disco-ball effect that some LEDs have. Kessils and Radions are the only LEDs I have personally enjoyed and would consider buying as a stand-alone solution to reef lighting. I believe being able to dim T5s is a very useful feature, both for visual esthetic's as well as for acclimating new corals. I have not seen the Photon fixtures, but looking at it my concern is that it might have a lot of the issues I personally dislike about LEDs. The cluster/puck style LEDs seem much better for the visual esthetic's than the LEDs that spread out their diodes over a larger surface.

 

[swk]

2. No shimmer - There is some evidence that suggests that the shimmer could have some health benefits to coral, but the significance here is the visual appearance. This really comes down to how important the shimmer effect is to you esthetically. Some reefers who use T5s modify their fixtures with LEDs to create shimmer in their tank, but due to the nature of the light output of T5s it can be challenging to get the shimmer effect that many want without dimming the bulbs significantly.

What is your source on this info?