Budget T5 Fixture

[coralfishreef]

For Acro dominant with RSR250 you’d probably want 6 or 8 bulbs. I have (4) 24” tubes (should have gone with 36”) split between 2 reefbrite T5 retrofits with 3 Radion XR15s in the middle over my Reefer 250. The T5s and LEDs combined are 18” from front to back. The Reefer 250 is about 19” front to back. There may be some light spillage with a 6 or 8 bulb fixture but you could move the back of the fixture closer to the back wall.

I don’t know what PAR a 6 bulb 36” T5 would provide, but a 6 bulb ATI, with an LED strip or two eventually, is something I would’ve tried.

 

[oreo54]

This should give you an idea about 24" bulbs..
https://www.nano-reef.com/forums/topic/208497-par-readings-taken-for-ghetto-24-t5-setups/
Just noticed .. tank is 36" long, 21"high 20" deep..

Look for used 36" or break the budget..
http://www.saltwatertogo.com/aquati...amp-freshwater-fixture-with-lunar-lights.htmlhttp://www.saltwatertogo.com/aquati...amp-freshwater-fixture-with-lunar-lights.html
For $90 you can get this and add-on as needed.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Odyssea-T5...-48-72-/114314373908?var=&hash=item6085e32c7c

Or $200 do 3..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/T5-Dual-36...39W-Odyssea-/301991619261?hash=item46501a6abd

 

[NanoReefs]

Yeah, I agree. I will probably end up getting a 36" fixture instead of a 24" since it fits the tank's dimensions. I am still deciding between 6 or 8 bulbs. What do you think, 6 or 8?

 

[oreo54]

Yeah, I agree. I will probably end up getting a 36" fixture instead of a 24" since it fits the tank's dimensions. I am still deciding between 6 or 8 bulbs. What do you think, 6 or 8?

6 tubes, 234W over a not so deep 65gal tank.. vs 312W for 8
Best I can say is either doesn't appear to be too little.
There are a lot of factors involved from the specific reflectors to coral species and placement to make a definitive answer..

Couldn't even say a 4 tube at 36" (156w roughly 14000 lumens) is too little.
Not my err specialty..

suggest waiting for someone who has actually used the above or even "like" comparisons via search..
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r2r-par-database.538894/page-6
"Stock" lighting was 6 tubes..
https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/modifying-red-sea-max-250-lighting.55628/

 

[coralfishreef]

BRS has a video with PAR numbers on the 4 bulb and 8 bulbs ATI. If you’re picking up a used fixture maybe either one. That video mentions the option of taking 2 bulbs out of an 8 bulb fixture and using 6 bulbs.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/cont...power-t5-lights-for-a-sps-dominant-reef-tanks

 

[coralfishreef]

BRS has a video with PAR numbers on the 4 bulb and 8 bulbs ATI. If you’re picking up a used fixture maybe either one. That video mentions the option of taking 2 bulbs out of an 8 bulb fixture and using 6 bulbs.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/cont...power-t5-lights-for-a-sps-dominant-reef-tanks

Either one being the 6 bulb or 8 bulb.

 

[NanoReefs]

I also might also consider buying a used 48" ATI Sunpower fixture since they are the only fixtures sold used in the area I live. The only problem with the 48" fixture is that my tank is only 35.5 inches long. The 36" are hard to come by.

 

[dedragon]

definitely go smaller 24 inch or 36inch over 48 inch if you plan to keep this tank for awhile, the bigger fixture would be too annoying and light spill would be just awful. my choice is, 6 bulb + led strips is my choice; coverage and that led coral pop. Mind if I ask, what is the budget on this build? The current usa nova on ebay might be the cheapest 36 inch t5 but not sure what you were really looking to pay

 

[Mike konesky]

If you are ok with the light spill from a 4ft then I'd recommend an agrobrite 4ft 6 bulb. Puts out great par. You would also eliminate the weaker par spots that you would normally get on the left and right side. I think it would look silly but be very effective.

 

[NanoReefs]

I am looking to spend less than 200 dollars on the fixture (not including bulbs).

 

[Mike konesky]

I also happen to have that exact 4ft 6 bulb laying around, an empty 40 breeder, and a par meter. If you do seriously consider that option let me know and I'd be happy to get some par numbers.

 

[Imaexpat2]

For a couple of years I ran a 24" x 4 bulb T-5HO fixture over a 20H SPS tank with the same bulbs you are thinking about. It works. Does it work well? In my opinion it was adequate...but in 20 years of reefing I can honestly say there are better options for not much more. I am now using Lumi-Lite Pro's on my 20H's and my T-5 fixture is gathering dust in the closet. The SPS tank is running 2 of them for about 300 bucks on setting #4 and on the LPS dominated tank I am running a single fixture on setting #3 for about 150 fun dollars. Unlike my T5HO fixture, its dimmable to 5 different intensity settings, spreads the light well for minimal shadowing(big advantage to T-5HO compared to other lights sources), uses less electricity, creates less heat and gives me about 15-20% more PAR than the T-5HO's did and I dont have to replace bulbs every 9-14 months!

Its your tank so choose what you want and what you feel is best for your specific needs. T-5HO's will be around for years to come I am sure but they are headed the way of VHO's and PC's, just not as quickly as those two did. Being an OG Reefer the last 20 plus years even I have gravitated to LED's the last couple of years in a major kinda way despite how much I love y Halides! You might pay a little more up front, but you save money on bulb replacement and electricity in the longer term and can still achieve excellent results!

 

[infinite0180]

I have a mint condition, purchased in nov 2020, ATI sunpower 24” 6 bulb. PM me if your interested in it.

edit

nevermind, i saw your post on $200 budget

 

[Mike konesky]

Amazon product ASIN B005H1C74O

 

[dedragon]

its prob going to be hard to find an ati fixture for that cheap even used.

 

[oreo54]

Keep in mind power wise one 36" is equal to 1.5 24" tube.
4 = 6
6 = 9

For $100 you can get 4 36w reef flood lights
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-L...Fish-Tank-Coral-Reef-Grow-Light-/313314553109

 

[JMetaxas]

Get an 8 bulb 24" T5 fixture off Amazon. They work just fine. As mentioned, Tidal Gardens spoke highly about them. Here's one of them: Amazon product ASIN B019J3UPT4

 

[dedragon]

i cant see the fixture for some reason but the width is prob too big for the tank. Just wondering if anyone has used the current usa nova t5 before. Its the only other t5 i found that fit nanoreefs specs for $200. at least its an aquarium brand thats still around but i havent seen one in a long time. forgot to link it before https://www.ebay.com/itm/Current-No...728367?hash=item288aa4802f:g:fPYAAOSwljFd8roc

 

[oreo54]

i cant see the fixture for some reason but the width is prob too big for the tank. Just wondering if anyone has used the current usa nova t5 before. Its the only other t5 i found that fit nanoreefs specs for $200. at least its an aquarium brand thats still around but i havent seen one in a long time. forgot to link it before https://www.ebay.com/itm/Current-No...728367?hash=item288aa4802f:g:fPYAAOSwljFd8roc

Got to believe that is "new old stock".
Only 2 36 x 6's left.
There is a disclaimer on the instruction about being only for covered top aquariums.
https://currentusa.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000905351-Product-Manuals-Wiring-Diagrams

 

[dedragon]

oreo definitely new old stock. lol not really like the agrobrite was meant to be used over water either, at least it has an acrylic sheet to protect the bulbs