T5 fixture for a 48" mixed reef tank

[yan2pr]

Hello everyone, i currently own a 48" tank mostly mixed but slowly shifting towards SPS dominant (hopefully). Im on the hunt for a T5 hybrid fixture because the Red seas 90's are not doing the job i need. I have to much shadow spots and the sps frags ( mostly birdsnests and stylos) when they start to grow they have spots with polys and spots with bare skin because they shadow themselves. The question is what are the best options in your opinion a 36" hybrid fixture or a 48", dimmable or not? I have seen so many different opinions around and i would like to see some pictures if possible, that way it will be easier to decide and i can convince the wife on spending some more money on the tank.

 

[Suohhen]

The Ati fixtures have always been the standard of t5 fixtures but you may want to check out the Brs investigates videos on the Reef Brite Lumi lites.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Ati. Giessman. Tek light. Waveline. All decent imo.
D

 

[yan2pr]

The Ati fixtures have always been the standard of t5 fixtures but you may want to check out the Brs investigates videos on the Reef Brite Lumi lites.

I did and i was actually convinced on getting a 48 xho x series but then i started second guessing that decision because of the T5 track record. I think you cant go wrong with T5 but its really interesting that led fixture. Do you think it help with shadowing as well as the T5?

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

T5s ur gonna be looking at the reflectors and the bulbs. Ballast are cheap.
D

 

[Suohhen]

I did and i was actually convinced on getting a 48 xho x series but then i started second guessing that decision because of the T5 track record. I think you cant go wrong with T5 but its really interesting that led fixture. Do you think it help with shadowing as well as the T5?

Brs claims the lumilights have better spread than t5s. They don't have a very wide color spectrum which is their one main downside but it doesn't seem to affect growth so much as create a bit of a pastel like look. Combining them with something like a kessil or ai prime alleviates any of those worries.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

T5s and mh provide a broder spectrum yes. Compared to leds narrow wave lengths.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

*broader

 

[yan2pr]

T5s and mh provide a broder spectrum yes. Compared to leds narrow wave lengths.
D

Do you think pairing up a 48" with my 48" tank would be overkill, i will still have some softies and lps that i dont want to burn with the light. Im a newbie and have no experience with T5 i maybe overreacting. Just trying not to buy the wrong thing.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Nope. You would need sunglasses if we were out on the reef. Ur good. My 8 bulb 48" light is above a 48" tank.
You will suspend it above the tank with chain? U could just raise it up a cpl inches if need be?
Mine i would just clip up a cpl links on the chain.
D

 

[yan2pr]

Nope. You would need sunglasses if we were out on the reef. Ur good. My 8 bulb 48" light is above a 48" tank.
You will suspend it above the tank with chain? U could just raise it up a cpl inches if need be?
Mine i would just clip up a cpl links on the chain.
D

Awesome that answers that question and the chain is a great idea

 

[Tamberav]

Do you think pairing up a 48" with my 48" tank would be overkill, i will still have some softies and lps that i dont want to burn with the light. Im a newbie and have no experience with T5 i maybe overreacting. Just trying not to buy the wrong thing.

I have a 6 bulb 48 inch sun power with a single led bar for the evening glow poster look. I actually have it off during the day when the T5 are one. The tank is also 48 inches.

I keep a mixed tank of everything.

T5s just work.

 

[yan2pr]

I have a 6 bulb 48 inch sun power with a single led bar for the evening glow poster look. I actually have it off during the day when the T5 are one. The tank is also 48 inches.

I keep a mixed tank of everything.

T5s just work.

That looks awesome, do you think the dimmable version is worth it or just a waste of money, i dont even know if you even need to dimm T5's

 

[yan2pr]

Any cons and pros on the dimmable fixture? Does the ability to dimm if you want to worth the price?

 

[Suohhen]

The dimmable version costs more than $100 more so it really depends on what your trying to achieve and how. If overlighting is a concern at all then it could certainly be worth it but like monkeyc said, a chain works. If you like to be able to dim your lighting during new additions of coral that might be another reason but really there is nothing necessary about it.

 

[MartinM]

Pacific Sun also makes some nice looking fixtures that come in white. They also have hybrid T5/LED And you can order from them online, but they take a while to arrive (~2 months). Personally I prefer T5/Halide combo.

 

[InvaderJim]

I have a 6 bulb 48 inch sun power with a single led bar for the evening glow poster look. I actually have it off during the day when the T5 are one. The tank is also 48 inches.

I keep a mixed tank of everything.

T5s just work.

I actually just hung the same fixture over the same tank today! How high is yours above the water level?

As soon as I turned on the T5 fixture I knew I made the right decision switching from LEDs. I love the way it looks. Would wont be disappointed.

 

[Tamberav]

I actually just hung the same fixture over the same tank today! How high is yours above the water level?

As soon as I turned on the T5 fixture I knew I made the right decision switching from LEDs. I love the way it looks. Would wont be disappointed.

7 inches up. Mine came with old bulbs so I slowly replaced 2 bulbs every few weeks to acclimate the corals over.