Examining the Aquatic Life T5 Hybrid fixture | BRStv Investigates

[Eric23]

I just added the 36" hybrid on my reefer 350. Ive been running 2 kessil A360WE's for a while and wasn't that happy wit the setup. Since putting this fixture up I'm extremely happy with how the tank looks but I'm not getting ant real increase in par according to my seneye sensor. I had been running my kessils about 12 inches apart 7 inches off the water line at 50% color and 80% intensity and getting 225 par 17 inches away from the light directly under the center. This is the highest point of my rock work. After adding the 4 t5 bulbs I'm getting about 250-260 par at the same spot... I was expecting to have to tune down my kessils a lot but I think I'm gonna leave them right where they are for now.. with the kessils off and just the 4 T5 bulbs on I'm getting about 45 par across the middle of the tank. Is this normal ? I've never run T-5's I went from MH to LED so I have no idea what to expect ?

 

[Z3speed4me]

@crabs_mcjones that frogspawn colony is awesome by the way!!!

 

[Crabs McJones]

@crabs_mcjones that frogspawn colony is awesome by the way!!!

Thanks it's actually a hammer colony. Started as just a single head 2 years ago

 

[hubble]

I had to turn my Hydra's way down when the T5's came on line. I think the highest setting for the blues is 33 and started with a 50% aclimation.

 

[Z3speed4me]

Thanks it's actually a hammer colony. Started as just a single head 2 years ago

Was hard to tell on my phone; wish mine would grow like that! I have a bunch of little nubs appearing but not full-blown giant heads! That's impressive

 

[Crabs McJones]

Was hard to tell on my phone; wish mine would grow like that! I have a bunch of little nubs appearing but not full-blown giant heads! That's impressive

I actually need to start cutting it back soon. Where you located? I can send you a head, guaranteed grower! lol ;Hilarious;Hilarious

 

[Z3speed4me]

HAHA! NJ, so would cost more to ship than it's worth.

 

[Eric23]

This is my new lighting schedule running 2 Kessils in the 36" Aquatic life fixture hung 8 inches above the water line of a reefer 350 (dimensions about 48x20x20)

I adjusted my schedule to the following

2 Kessils
9:00 am 0% color 5% intensity
12:00 pm 25% color 55% intensity
1:30 pm 50% color 60% intensity
2:30 pm 50% color 60% intensity
4:00 pm 25% color 55% intensity
9:00 pm 0% color 0% intensity

T-5's 2 purple plus 2 blue plus

11:00 am on
5:00 pm off

Par peaks around 250-260 for 4 hours a day 12" inches below the water line where the majority of my sps frags are..

 

[cpschult]

hm, need to look into this more!

 

[hubble]

The view sitting in my recliner was not going to cut it so I made a hood out of foam board to shield the light. It just sits on top and I can remove it for tank cleaning days. It works pretty good so now I'm gonna look for some type of thin plastic to make a better one.

 

[Jimbo662]

The view sitting in my recliner was not going to cut it so I made a hood out of foam board to shield the light. It just sits on top and I can remove it for tank cleaning days. It works pretty good so now I'm gonna look for some type of thin plastic to make a better one.

Great idea! Tank is over my left shoulder when I'm sitting in front of the TV and I"m bathed in light. This might be a good option. How did you attach the corners?

 

[hubble]

Just glued it together. I'd really like to find some paper thin black plastic or some type of acrylic and make a nicer one.

 

[Crabs McJones]

For those of you looking to mod this unit to have only one cord, it's extremely easy to do and I had it done in a matter of only a couple hours.
All done! Now I have just one cord for the t5 and one for the AP700.

 

[Z3speed4me]

The cord mod AND the cover @hubble did are both awesome ideas

 

[siggy]

For those of you looking to mod this unit to have only one cord, it's extremely easy to do and I had it done in a matter of only a couple hours.
All done! Now I have just one cord for the t5 and one for the AP700.

Fine job , aren't those cord grips fun.
I may as well post mine , just finished
Thats only 2 bulbs

 

[siggy]

This is the other bank of two

 

[Manics1]

As much as l love my ATI 4 X led Sirius it doesn't quite cover my 40 X 36 inch cube.
Have ordered a 36inch Hybrid, it's Norway bound.....
I have an original style Reef Breeders V1 Photon, l shall use it with the extension brackets and end plates on the Hybrid, it should give better coverage than the Sirius.
Has anyone used a Reef Breeders V1 with the hybrid? Only issue l can see is getting your big sausage fingers at the control panel when setting manually...

 

[ethridge78]

Just wish it was diammable or different cord and a tank bracket like what they use to sell.

 

[FLSharkvictim]

I fell in love with these Fixtures @ RAP in Otwn since there rep went over everything with me since I will be running my 3 AI Hydra HD's along with there 60'' T-5 fixture..

 

[drtrash]

Looks like a great product but lacking if most customers want or needed it modded right at the start