Making the switch to T5's.

G8trBait16 · Sep 7, 2016

Hey y'all,

Well I have decided to make the switch from my 2 Hydra 52 HD's to T5's. I have two models in mind. Also have no idea of bulb selection for my 75G SPS dominated reef.

1. ATI 48" T5 Dimmable SunPower Fixture 8x54w or the Pacific Sun Diuna Bluetooth Wireless 8x54W (Non-Dimmable).

2. Since I have only used LED's I have no idea on the bulb selections.

Thanks y'all for all of the help and opinions.

blkhwkz · Sep 7, 2016

I got the 48" ATI Dimmable for my new build, lights up the whole room :) ATI has info for bulbs on their website based on your color preference. http://atinorthamerica.com/faq.php

This is mine front to back:
B+
P+
B+
Actinic
Actinic
B+
C+
B+

I'll see how I like that for awhile and maybe switch out the actinics for something else when it is time to change bulbs. Tank is still cycling so only ran the fixture for the 50 burn-in on the bulbs.

themcnertney · Sep 7, 2016

Question: Why not keep the hyrdas and add retrofit t5s? Run both. That's the process of what I am doing with my 220 and cant wait for it to be done.

G8trBait16 · Sep 7, 2016

Dan McNertney said:
Question: Why not keep the hyrdas and add retrofit t5s? Run both. That's the process of what I am doing with my 220 and cant wait for it to be done.

I was going to do the retrofit kit with 2 48", but there is no way for me to hide them since I don't have a canopy and I wanted the clean lines. It was a built in wine bar that I had converted. I wanted to make it as clean as possible and went through options with friends of mine and we couldn't think of a way to make pleasing to the eye with the kit.

Leisureforce · Sep 7, 2016

I got a 48" 8 bulb non-dimmable ATI for my new tank. It's still cycling so the bulbs I chose were based off research and not my own testing. I went with alternating Blue+ and Coral+ after reading through Big E's SPS threads, he has some amazing color in his SPS and that is what I am after.
http://reef2reef.com/threads/big-e-rimless-80g-sps.206607/

I will say there are probably better bulb choices as far as visual preference goes, but it looks good to me still.

mcarroll · Sep 7, 2016

I'll leave your thread alone after this, if this isn't interesting.... :)

Unless you're building a retro-reef, I don't see advantage to adding the extra cost and hassle of T5's.

I have to guess in your case @G8trBait16, but most of the time the "complaint" against the kind of lights you're leaving is the shadowing. (Strangely, not the excessive cost.)

Going to T5's is not the only option. And I certainly wouldn't call either your current lights or T5 "the best" option.

Some basics:

Your current lights are spot lights.
T5's are a type of area lighting.

I would look at some high quality strip-format LED's – also area-lighting. They will not generate any significant shadowing but will still give you all the benefits of LED's.

One option is CurrentUSA's Orbit Marine Pro.....a single strip would do it...still has all the fancy extras....$332 at drfoster.

It's worth thinking about!

G8trBait16 · Sep 7, 2016

mcarroll said:
I'll leave your thread alone after this, if this isn't interesting.... :)

Unless you're building a retro-reef, I don't see advantage to adding the extra cost and hassle of T5's.

I have to guess in your case @G8trBait16, but most of the time the "complaint" against the kind of lights you're leaving is the shadowing. (Strangely, not the excessive cost.)

Going to T5's is not the only option. And I certainly wouldn't call either your current lights or T5 "the best" option.

Some basics:

Your current lights are spot lights.
T5's are a type of area lighting.

I would look at some high quality strip-format LED's – also area-lighting. They will not generate any significant shadowing but will still give you all the benefits of LED's.

One option is CurrentUSA's Orbit Marine Pro.....a single strip would do it...still has all the fancy extras....$332 at drfoster.

It's worth thinking about!

Thank you mcarroll I will look into that.

Broadfield · Sep 7, 2016

Or do a hybrid fixture and have the best of both worlds. I made the switch from LED and went with a T5/LED fixture... I'm absolutely loving it!

Frop · Sep 7, 2016

Rip hydra 52s

john.m.cole3 · Sep 10, 2016

cool, you have a thread for it now. let us guys from the comparison thread know if we can help out over here. don't be hesitant to ask questions. brainstorming got men on the moon!

Rockhead · Sep 10, 2016

Ati all the way ! What is the distance from top of tank to top of cabinet? Adding the t5 will increase your heat and in that tight area may not cool the light off for optimal performance , how would you hang it ? If you use the cable that is supplied with the light consider it to 6-7" closer to the tank.

I'm running a ati 10x54 on my 120 and it's over kill but corals love it

Frop · Sep 10, 2016

Rockhead said:
Ati all the way ! What is the distance from top of tank to top of cabinet? Adding the t5 will increase your heat and in that tight area may not cool the light off for optimal performance , how would you hang it ? If you use the cable that is supplied with the light consider it to 6-7" closer to the tank.

I'm running a ati 10x54 on my 120 and it's over kill but corals love it

The color looks nice.

ifarmer · Sep 11, 2016

Frop said:
The color looks nice.

What is your light combo?

john.m.cole3 · Sep 11, 2016

What if you were to retrofit the t5s in there and then build a hinged cover with a latch on it that would hold up when you need to service things inside the tank? This way you get the T5 far enough from the water line and the cover is for your wife's eyes

john.m.cole3 · Sep 11, 2016

Cooling would be your only issue left

Frop · Sep 11, 2016

ifarmer said:
What is your light combo?

Mine? I have the Hydra 26HD.

I periodically change the ratios and time.

juanrmattos · Sep 11, 2016

The T5 is a great option, you will be happy with it... So will your corals; I'm also in the process of getting the ATI Dimmable (Only mine is a 4 bulb).

Best of luck!!!