Ditching Hybrid, Going Full T5?

[CoralsAddiction]

Thinking about going full T5, 6 bulb 3ft fixture over 4x2x2 tank.
Current setup: 2 Hydra 64HD, 1 Radion XR15 and 4 T5 bulbs. My corals, clams and anemones do better with/under T5.

Any disadvantages ditching the current setup?

 

[shakacuz]

disadvantages? probably just matching PAR. seems you’re pretty set on this and i don’t have any experience with T5’s.

 

[Dorsetsteve]

What’s the problem you are trying to solve?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thinking about going full T5, 6 bulb 3ft fixture over 4x2x2 tank.
Current setup: 2 Hydra 64HD, 1 Radion XR15 and 4 T5 bulbs. My corals, clams and anemones do better with/under T5.

Any disadvantages ditching the current setup?

The main disadvantage of T5's, IMO/IME is the heat they give off. This time of year it's not a problem, but in summer, depending on how cool you keep your home, you might find you need to add a cooling fan.

Otherwise, T5's are the clear choice

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

The main disadvantage of T5's, IMO/IME is the heat they give off. This time of year it's not a problem, but in summer, depending on how cool you keep your home, you might find you need to add a cooling fan.

Otherwise, T5's are the clear choice

* Also, a full T5 fixture is often heavier than a hybrid, so you'll have to make sure your current mounting arms are sufficient.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

The main disadvantage of T5's, IMO/IME is the heat they give off. This time of year it's not a problem, but in summer, depending on how cool you keep your home, you might find you need to add a cooling fan.

Otherwise, T5's are the clear choice

I get it but I already run 4 bulbs in my current setup. What’s another 2?

 

[CoralsAddiction]

What’s the problem you are trying to solve?

Feel like I have too may fixtures and cords for my tank. If animals prefer T5 anyway why not just make it one fixture?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I get it but I already run 4 bulbs in my current setup. What’s another 2?

True.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

You could always get a 2 bulb and replace the LEDs -put the 2 bulb in the middle of the hybrid - if you're not positive you like the look of all T5...

 

[CoralsAddiction]

I’m going to try WWC’s 1500G SPS settings for a few months. It’s more blue. If it works well I might just keep the current setup and not switch.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I’m a big T5 proponent, but why give up the controllability and pop? You have the best of both worlds now.

 

[oreo54]

Thinking about going full T5, 6 bulb 3ft fixture over 4x2x2 tank.
Current setup: 2 Hydra 64HD, 1 Radion XR15 and 4 T5 bulbs. My corals, clams and anemones do better with/under T5.

Any disadvantages ditching the current setup?

So you want to replace 300-ish possible watts with like 70 ( 2@ 3ft t5ho)?
39x6= 234 watts.
39 x 8 = 312 watts
Well if you replace the system from an output standpoint you'd be best off going 6-8(best) t5ho 4ft tubes (8=432 w).

Depth penetration is not a t5 strong point.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

So you want to replace 300-ish possible watts with like 70 ( 2@ 3ft t5ho)?
39x6= 234 watts.
39 x 8 = 312 watts
Well if you replace the system from an output standpoint you'd be best off going 6-8(best) t5ho 4ft tubes (8=432 w).

Depth penetration is not a t5 strong point.

Unless I drain the whole system, I can’t hang a 48” fixture over my tank. It’s setup for a 36” fixture.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

So you want to replace 300-ish possible watts with like 70 ( 2@ 3ft t5ho)?
39x6= 234 watts.
39 x 8 = 312 watts
Well if you replace the system from an output standpoint you'd be best off going 6-8(best) t5ho 4ft tubes (8=432 w).

Depth penetration is not a t5 strong point.

It would be a 6x39w fixture or 8x39
The 2 you are referring to is from my reply to heat concern from another member…my reply was I already have 4 on my hybrid…what’s adding another 2 bulbs.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

My current max output potential is 374 watts.

 

[oreo54]

135 Watts Hydra 64HD x 2 + xr-15 100 Watts + 39 x4 36" t5 (believe you stated you currently run 4) 156 Watts = 526 total
Each added t5 is 39 watts.
Your leds are 370 watts at 100% and have better focus for depth penetration
9.5 more tubes are needed to replace them.

• Number of LEDs: 64(+4)
• Power Consumption: 135 watts

2 Hydra 64HD alone are 270 watts or 6.9 t5's 36" (39W each)
Now if you dim them that is another story but even at 1/2 that is 3.5 bulbs.
Add one more for a 50% xr15.

Point is anything under a 8 bulb fixture is probably a downgrade.

Just a broad estimate based on very little exact info like rock structure ect.
Things that change the distribution.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

135 Watts Hydra 64HD x 2 + xr-15 100 Watts + 39 x4 36" t5 (believe you stated you currently run 4) 156 Watts = 526 total
Each added t5 is 39 watts.
Your leds are 370 watts at 100% and have better focus for depth penetration
9.5 more tubes are needed to replace them.


2 Hydra 64HD alone are 270 watts or 6.9 t5's 36" (39W each)
Now if you dim them that is another story but even at 1/2 that is 3.5 bulbs.
Add one more for a 50% xr15.

Point is anything under a 8 bulb fixture is probably a downgrade.

Just a broad estimate based on very little exact info like rock structure ect.
Things that change the distribution.

Thanks for the info. I always thought that Hydra numbers meant watts, not number of LEDs.
I have a 3rd Hydra 64 HD but it doesn’t fit the hybrid fixture. Hence the smaller XR15.
I can get rid of the T5 hybrid fixture and have 3 Hydra 64HDs on a different mounting system.

 

[Dorsetsteve]

Feel like I have too may fixtures and cords for my tank. If animals prefer T5 anyway why not just make it one fixture?

The cable thing I get but that’s more of a management or aesthetic issue than a problem. If get some cable tidy and tuck them into it, that will improve the aesthetic for sure.

As for the T5 being preferred that ones a debate for the birds, some will claim this is the case and others than a photon is a photon. It’s a debate that is mostly a waste of air in my opinion, 15/20 years ago the debate was whether T5 could grow hard corals… unless you had a concern with something like shading because you were utilising one source of light for example, the problem is likely not your lighting if your corals aren’t doing what you want/expect. You have the best of both worlds currently. Spread and control and plenty of it. You could probably ditch the XR15 without and I’ll effect but honestly I would not mess around with what you’ve done.

 

[Big E]

If I was going to change I'd upgrade to a 48" 6x54w fixture. If you don't want to buy a ATI sunpower you can go with LET diy. This will give you flexibility for any changes in the future.

6x36 will give you better spectrum blend & reduced shadowing if you go that route
Only negative from what you have now is no glitter lines.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

If I was going to change I'd upgrade to a 48" 6x54w fixture. If you don't want to buy a ATI sunpower you can go with LET diy. This will give you flexibility for any changes in the future.

6x36 will give you better spectrum blend & reduced shadowing if you go that route
Only negative from what you have now is no glitter lines.

I’d love a 48” fixture but if you look at my mounting “arms” they are wide enough for a 36” fixture only. There is not enough room behind the tank for me to space them out more. I’ve reached out to ATI and they did not recommend hanging a 48” fixture on those hangers.