I'm planning ~150 Gallon 60" x 30" x 20" SPS-Heavy Mixed Reef
I was originally looking at Radion XR30 + AI Blade Grow/Glow setup but the price for 3 Radion XR30 + 2 Blades is over $4000---more than I'd hope to spend.
Now I am considering going "old school" with a T5 fixture to get the same blanket of light. It seems like it will be cheaper for the fixture AND the electricity. I looked at the BRS video on the SunPower fixture and the PAR for the 8 bulb fixture actually looks rather high in a 20" deep tank, but I am also going with a wider than normal tank.
I am looking at the 48" ATI Sunpower in either 6 bulb or 8 bulb configuration. 6 vs 8 bulb, dimmable vs standard, which bulbs are your favorite?
I assume that I could go 8 bulb and leave 2 slots empty if too much PAR or always add some LED strips on the end of a 6 bulb down the road but for those of you with T5 experience I'm curious what you would do for the proposed tank.
P.S. Tank is going to be in-wall so the fixture will be completely hidden in a fish room so appearance and light spill is not important.
I was originally looking at Radion XR30 + AI Blade Grow/Glow setup but the price for 3 Radion XR30 + 2 Blades is over $4000---more than I'd hope to spend.
Now I am considering going "old school" with a T5 fixture to get the same blanket of light. It seems like it will be cheaper for the fixture AND the electricity. I looked at the BRS video on the SunPower fixture and the PAR for the 8 bulb fixture actually looks rather high in a 20" deep tank, but I am also going with a wider than normal tank.
I am looking at the 48" ATI Sunpower in either 6 bulb or 8 bulb configuration. 6 vs 8 bulb, dimmable vs standard, which bulbs are your favorite?
I assume that I could go 8 bulb and leave 2 slots empty if too much PAR or always add some LED strips on the end of a 6 bulb down the road but for those of you with T5 experience I'm curious what you would do for the proposed tank.
P.S. Tank is going to be in-wall so the fixture will be completely hidden in a fish room so appearance and light spill is not important.