Need help deciding

[ajhudson15]

I have a 40l Nuvo Fusion (36x20x13). I had a reef tank years ago and loved the T5/LED hybrid fixtures. Now that im researching i can only find two which are on closeout and super cheap (Aquatic Life 24" and Geisemann Stellar 24"). Both have 4 bulbs and ability to mount led. It seems that bulbs may start being hard to find so my question is.
- get one fixture add led and let it cover most of the tank
-forget t5's and get 2 (AI, Radion, etc) with mounting arms

The only thing i dont like about the hybrid fixtures is they mostly have to be hung and not on a actual mounting arm

 

[Gumbies R Us]

#reefsquad

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Id get two nicrew 150w hyperrref gen 2 and be done with it.

There are other similar budget lights but I have experience with these.

 

[oreo54]

I have a 40l Nuvo Fusion (36x20x13). I had a reef tank years ago and loved the T5/LED hybrid fixtures. Now that im researching i can only find two which are on closeout and super cheap (Aquatic Life 24" and Geisemann Stellar 24"). Both have 4 bulbs and ability to mount led. It seems that bulbs may start being hard to find so my question is.
- get one fixture add led and let it cover most of the tank
-forget t5's and get 2 (AI, Radion, etc) with mounting arms

The only thing i dont like about the hybrid fixtures is they mostly have to be hung and not on a actual mounting arm

I don't think you need to worry about t5 bulbs
At least not in the more standard sizes.

That said 24" bulbs over a 36" tank really isn't ideal unless you like the dark ends.

There are options that emulate your t5 but " fit" your tank

Aquatic Life Coral Cover 36" LED Fixture - Black

Shop a large selection of freshwater and saltwater aquariums, supplies, and custom options. Get expert advice and factory-direct pricing. Order your tank today!

fishtanksdirect.com

Or sets of bars

Helix 3-Light Bar Combo

Take the guesswork out of lighting your reef tank. The 3-Light Bar Combo is a great fit for most 18" wide tanks, keeping everything from Softies, LPS and mixed reef. There are five variation options to choose from:BLUE++: 2 Meso Blue & 1 Reef Crest DaylightBLUE+: 2 Meso Blue & 1 Tropic...

www.quanta-lights.com

 

[ajhudson15]

I have a 40l Nuvo Fusion (36x20x13). I had a reef tank years ago and loved the T5/LED hybrid fixtures. Now that im researching i can only find two which are on closeout and super cheap (Aquatic Life 24" and Geisemann Stellar 24"). Both have 4 bulbs and ability to mount led. It seems that bulbs may start being hard to find so my question is.
- get one fixture add led and let it cover most of the tank
-forget t5's and get 2 (AI, Radion, etc) with mounting arms

The only thing i dont like about the hybrid fixtures is they mostly have to be hung and not on a actual mounting arm

I don't think you need to worry about t5 bulbs
At least not in the more standard sizes.

That said 24" bulbs over a 36" tank really isn't ideal unless you like the dark ends.

There are options that emulate your t5 but " fit" your tank

Aquatic Life Coral Cover 36" LED Fixture - Black

Shop a large selection of freshwater and saltwater aquariums, supplies, and custom options. Get expert advice and factory-direct pricing. Order your tank today!

fishtanksdirect.com

Or sets of bars

Helix 3-Light Bar Combo

Take the guesswork out of lighting your reef tank. The 3-Light Bar Combo is a great fit for most 18" wide tanks, keeping everything from Softies, LPS and mixed reef. There are five variation options to choose from:BLUE++: 2 Meso Blue & 1 Reef Crest DaylightBLUE+: 2 Meso Blue & 1 Tropic...

www.quanta-lights.com

I had thought about going with the 36” but was worried with the shallow of the tank that it would be too much par for sand bed stuff

 

[oreo54]

I had thought about going with the 36” but was worried with the shallow of the tank that it would be too much par for sand bed stuff

Going with dimmable LEDs kind of mitigates all of that.

Due to the blanket coverage of t5s I don't think that changes the intensity except to limit the width of highest intensity..for the most part.

 

[Rocks reef]

I'd stick with T5s but find an appropriate sized fixture

 

[minus9]

I would do Quanta Helix bar combo. Best T5-like led with an amazing spectrum.

 

[Zoacoral]

Ive got the same tank, i had ai's and the radion gen 5 pros. Sold them off and got the reefbreeders meridian 24".