Examining the Aquatic Life T5 Hybrid fixture | BRStv Investigates

[randyBRS]

Happy Friday R2R!

We has so many questions about the T5 Hybrid fixture from Aquatic Life that we just had to put it through the test! This is one of Ryan's new personal favorites so we'd love to hear what you think about it!

 

[Brew12]

Happy Friday R2R!

We has so many questions about the T5 Hybrid fixture from Aquatic Life that we just had to put it through the test! This is one of Ryan's new personal favorites so we'd love to hear what you think about it!

I'm thinking you should ship me the one I pre-ordered!!

 

[Jimbo662]

Thank you for reviewing this so quickly!

 

[Mal11224]

Nice video. @randyBRS Thanks for the info. Is there any way to retrofit an AP700 to the fixture? Is it worth it?

 

[Ryanbrs]

Nice video. @randyBRS Thanks for the info. Is there any way to retrofit an AP700 to the fixture? Is it worth it?

The brackets do look like they will work for the ap700 and I would use one on an SPS tank where reduced shadowing is valuable but might not on other tank types.

 

[reef_ranch]

I predict you will sell boat loads of these fixtures. Such a simple, clean solution to the LED-only dilemma -- lack of spread as well as the T5-only dilemma - lack of pop and shimmer.

We need brackets that allow a greater distance between the T5 units so those of us with wider tanks can mount Radion XR30s perpendicular to the t5s

 

[teller]

FANTASTIC!
Beautiful par distribution even in a 48" tank.
Thanks @randyBRS and all team!
And thanks @AquaticLifeProducts for always listening the costumers.

 

[lactose]

Thank you for this. It was mentioned in one of your q&a videos previously and I am super excited for this. I have 2 48" on pre-order and can't wait to get them in. I had planned on going radion but now you have me thinking about kessils instead... nice to have choices

 

[ReefingwithO]

I pre-ordered this. Can't wait to get them. Estimated shipping date?

 

[Brew12]

I predict you will sell boat loads of these fixtures. Such a simple, clean solution to the LED-only dilemma -- lack of spread as well as the T5-only dilemma - lack of pop and shimmer.

We need brackets that allow a greater distance between the T5 units so those of us with wider tanks can mount Radion XR30s perpendicular to the t5s

That is in the works and they are hoping to have it ready as a conversion kit around the end of the year.

They were discussing just that in a different thread.

 

[michael brumit]

Really like the idea of this. Hopefully they incorporate more control of the T5s with the apex in the future. Hope they add led moonlights like they have on the other fixtures as well.

 

[revhtree]

These are really awesome!

 

[ReefingwithO]

Really like the idea of this. Hopefully they incorporate more control of the T5s with the apex in the future. Hope they add led moonlights like they have on the other fixtures as well.

I don't they will ever add moonlights. It will add to the cost and complexity. I like that it's relatively cheap and it's trying to do a few things and do them very well. It's a bring your own LED solution. Why would they include LED moonlight?

 

[Velcro]

@Ryanbrs
I know you did this on a 24" cube, but what are your thoughts on a 30x30x24 cube with a 24" aquatic life and two a360we's? This is an SPS dominant tank. The aesthetics looked amazing with the kessil t5 combo from that video and while I'm having awesome success with my LED only (photon v2s) i would love the halide-ish shimmer with t5.

 

[JBKReef]

@Ryanbrs
I know you did this on a 24" cube, but what are your thoughts on a 30x30x24 cube with a 24" aquatic life and two a360we's? This is an SPS dominant tank. The aesthetics looked amazing with the kessil t5 combo from that video and while I'm having awesome success with my LED only (photon v2s) i would love the halide-ish shimmer with t5.

This is what I'm hoping to run... I have two Kessil A360's planned for my 30 cube, and a 24 inch T5 Retrofit would be amazing... The hesitation I have right now is the stock 24 inch fixture only comes with a bracket for 1 Kessil, and as of yet a second bracket is not available for purchase by itself.

There is going to be a black market of trading and selling the brackets from people who bought the 36 and 48 inch fixtures but are using the radion or prime brackets only.

 

[siggy]

Thank you for this. It was mentioned in one of your q&a videos previously and I am super excited for this. I have 2 48" on pre-order and can't wait to get them in. I had planned on going radion but now you have me thinking about kessils instead... nice to have choices

will these ship with bulbs ? what bulbs were used over the DT in the video?
My request is 2/4 bulb operation 1 front 1 back etc. What started as supplemental t5's is now a t5 lighting solution with supplemental LED's... and as always great job and thanks for the good work

 

[Meyerbj81]

Is anyone available to measure the space between the two fixtures to see if its wide enough for the ap700 as the mounting brackets sure look like they would word?

 

[A. grandis]

The best solution for any LED/T5 combo tank yet when talking about PAR distribution alone!!
Make sure you understand that PAR is only part of the equation.
But PAR is also what many of the people lay on.
The T5s are for the uniformity of light and the Kessils are the best LED option for the combo.
It's definitely not like having a MH/T5 combo in regards to the very best offer of light distribution and intensity, but it is something to consider for smaller tanks and for those who really really really like the LED world...
The contrast comes with shadows from the LEDs.
In nature the shadows are much less, like when MHs are applied to the combo.
It comes closer than many options though.

Not my intention to fire the thread/video at all, nor end your party, just putting my observations here.
Great video as aways!!
Doors are open and people will get 'em! ;Greedy
Enjoy!
Grandis.

 

[Velcro]

Here we go again... can you please not do this in every thread?

 

[A. grandis]

Here we go again... can you please not do this in every thread?

Just my opinion.
You can ignore if you want.

Grandis.