If you could pick T5 lights or Auto Doser?

[Brah02]

I have a credit at a shop and the only items that I don't have that might be semi interested in are some T5 lights, or an auto doser. I have a Innovative Marine SR-80, with ReefBreeders Photon V2 Pro lights, will the T5 be overkill? What do people use T5 for, I see a lot of people combine LED with T5. Also, will I need an Auto Doser eventually even if I don't have a trident or automatic system?

 

[56longroof]

I'm old school so the doser is not necessary in my opinion. I still dose everything by hand with the exception of kalk thats run in my ATO.I'd go for the T5 light. How many bulb and what wattage is the light?

 

[rtparty]

Your lights are likely plenty good. The merits of T5 can be debated but in my experience nothing matches their coverage and blanket of light they provide. This can be super important for certain corals and as tanks age

A dosing pump can be a godsend though if setup correctly. Not having to remember to dose daily can take a lot off your plate so you can spend time elsewhere

 

[tbrown]

I have 4 extra dosing pumps so I'd probably pick the lights but I do like having a doser. I used to dose everything by hand (everything being alk, mag, calcium, and phosphates) and it definitely made it easier to leave the tank for a week or more having a doser hooked up.

 

[exnisstech]

I would go with a doser. An auto doser would allow you to have a doser as a stand alone unit and not need a controller like a Trident etc. Its perfect if you want a doser and do not want or need a controller. I have a doser for AFR on my SPS tank and love it but I also manually some tanks so it's more if a convience than a necessity unless you travel then I would say its necessary.
T5s are nice but running 3 photons I don't feel the need for supplemental lightning. If you feel you do then I would go T5 instead of the doser.

 

[Brah02]

I would go with a doser. An auto doser would allow you to have a doser as a stand alone unit and not need a controller like a Trident etc. Its perfect if you want a doser and do not want or need a controller. I have a doser for AFR on my SPS tank and love it but I also manually some tanks so it's more if a convience than a necessity unless you travel then I would say its necessary.
T5s are nice but running 3 photons I don't feel the need for supplemental lightning. If you feel you do then I would go T5 instead of the doser.

I am running the photons at less than 40% they are plenty bright. Being a short reef tank, unless there is a specific reason why people need t5's I am thinking the auto doser as well. The tank is also in my office, so I am usually away from it for the weekends.

 

[Ryan - Serious Reefs]

LPS tank I'd go doser.

SPS tank tougher call.

• If you are lazy Doser.
• If you want the best growth T5 fill light.

 

[Brah02]

I'm old school so the doser is not necessary in my opinion. I still dose everything by hand with the exception of kalk thats run in my ATO.I'd go for the T5 light. How many bulb and what wattage is the light?

Its a slim, so a single bulb, 48" so I am guessing thats like 55watt?

 

[Brah02]

LPS tank I'd go doser.

SPS tank tougher call.

• If you are lazy Doser.
• If you want the best growth T5 fill light.

I only have LPS currently, but i'd love to get into SPS eventually. Tough call.

 

[tbrown]

Its a slim, so a single bulb, 48" so I am guessing thats like 55watt?

T5HO or...? If it's a standard T5 it's going to be less - around half that I believe.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Personally I would go doser. It can help simplify your dosing regime.

 

[56longroof]

48" T5 is 54 watt. If your wanting to get into SPS I'd definitely start upgrading the lighting first.

 

[Brah02]

48" T5 is 54 watt. If you’re wanting to get into SPS I'd definitely start upgrading the lighting first

With my tank being a shallow reef, will additional light be too much? The photon v2 is pretty powerful. I don’t want to burn the lps?

 

[Kooma]

Do you need the light? If not, doser will save you lots of time. A smart doser with an app is even better. I’m bias to my Ecotech versa, changes are so quick and easy.

 

[pooootiqe]

Why not both? ;)

Get a cheap single head doser (kamoer or hydros) for all for reef / kalkwasser, and spend the rest on the T5s!

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

I love having a doser for my AFR. that said im also installing supplemental t5 lighting soon but I found t5 fixtures used for cheap cheap. T5 fixtures are super simple, and people sell them cheap all the time. If your not buying an actual led t5 combo fixture, I'd say the doser, as a standard t5 fixture isn't hard to come by

 

[DanyL]

Unless you're limited by PAR or spectrum rather than spread, I'd suggest getting a doser.
The reasoning is simple - while it's not absolutely necessary, dosing pumps make SPS care a lot easier and less prone to human errors. We tend to forget things, but SPS don't appreciate that. If you're starting with SPS frags, it'll be about a year before they grow enough to shade themselves and each other. So, you won't really benefit from additional light for a while. The doser on the other hand can help you get to there, and will be useful straight away.