T5 or LED bars

[Charley75]

So what would you do? So I was running a Reef Brite Supra fixture …36” with 2 T5s (blue plus) and a Blue XHO bar down the middle. This was over my standard 90 gal mixed reef and growing pretty much everything like crazy. So the balance must have died cuz the T5s just stopped working. I had a chance to pick up 2 XHO 50/50 for cheap, so gave it a try….all 36”…the 2 50/50s and the Blue XHOs. Too white and now growing algae like crazy. So I’m looking at 2 options:
Both will keep the blue XHO for my first on/ last off light.
1. 2 Quantum Pro Led bars
2. I just saw someone selling a Reefbrite Quad T5 fixture with another Blue XHO.

opt 1: planned on just buying 2 36” bars, but lots of people saying I really need the 48” bars

opt 2: this is a 36” fixture and since it also comes with another blue XHO, I could attach the XHOs to the sides. T5 bulbs were just replaced in Jan.

struggling to decide.

 

[CoralB]

T5s have been and are great and in my opinion any combo keeping them is a win . I’m not convinced that the led equivalent is as good . I like leds and think their great but wish I was able to have kept my T5s with them . My opinion

 

[Charley75]

Any thoughts on the 36” fixture on a 48”
Tank?

 

[Charley75]

Any other opinions?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Lol, you haven't decided yet? You got a few threads going on this, take a leap!

 

[neonreef3d]

Build Thread - John's SPS Shallow 90g Peninsula-Lagoon build

A massive shout out to Tony @neon_reefer for lending me his mad cnc skills in milling out the magnets holes and handles for these walnut panels. Now I just need to finish them and move on to the canopy facade. Finally, the vision from my very first post on this thread is coming to life! Thanks...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[bobnicaragua]

A 48” fixture on a 48” tank would be best.

 

[CoralB]

Any thoughts on the 36” fixture on a 48”
Tank?

Depends on where your coral is !!! , if you have them extend to the sides all the way you might not have much par their except may for shrooms but you would have to test with a par meter. Other wise don’t put any coral where theirs now coverage

 

[Charley75]

Yeah the option on the 4 bulb T5 fixture just really became an option. Unfortunately, $$ is always an issue. There’s a deal I can jump on right now for the 4 bulb T5 fixture with another blue XHO (so I would mount one to each side) for like $200. However it is 36” like my current XHO. With the Quanta Pros, everyone really seems to be pushing the 48”, not 36”, which would be like $370. Just struggling to make a decision.

 

[CoralB]

Yeah the option on the 4 bulb T5 fixture just really became an option. Unfortunately, $$ is always an issue. There’s a deal I can jump on right now for the 4 bulb T5 fixture with another blue XHO (so I would mount one to each side) for like $200. However it is 36” like my current XHO. With the Quanta Pros, everyone really seems to be pushing the 48”, not 36”, which would be like $370. Just struggling to make a decision.

If $$$ is a issue your only talking about a 4 “ void on each side

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

Yeah the option on the 4 bulb T5 fixture just really became an option. Unfortunately, $$ is always an issue. There’s a deal I can jump on right now for the 4 bulb T5 fixture with another blue XHO (so I would mount one to each side) for like $200. However it is 36” like my current XHO. With the Quanta Pros, everyone really seems to be pushing the 48”, not 36”, which would be like $370. Just struggling to make a decision.

Here you go dude. It even comes with bulbs. I bought mine (6 bulb) and added a couple ATI bulbs to it. Got it running with an LED bar too.

 

[nereefpat]

Why not replace the ballast in the T5 fixture that quit, since you liked it and cost is a concern? It would cost about 29.99.

 

[Charley75]

What do mean if,….$$ is always an issue..Lol especially when justifying to spouse. The 2 36” Quanta Pros would be like 320, but Luca and everyone else seems to be pushing full length, which I get is always better. Gonna try to sell the 2 XHO 50/50s I’m currently using to recoup some cost as well. Mounting in my canopy so trying to figure that out too.

 

[Charley75]

Kinda liked the idea of switching to all LED and not having to replace bulbs again.

 

[Koh23]

Leds are great, if money is not an issue....

If are....

But still, lately i strong believe that nothing can beat even the low end led lights paired with at least 2 ati or giesmann bulb.....

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Here you go dude. It even comes with bulbs. I bought mine (6 bulb) and added a couple ATI bulbs to it. Got it running with an LED bar too.

Did the exact same and im more than happy with it!

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

If you have a 48" tank, buy 48" bars. If you buy 36" you may regret the decision if you decide to rescape, or want to place coral on the edges.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I have ali express bars, two mounted on the outside edges of my canopy aimed slightly inward. 460 nm to go with a 4 bulb t5's.

I just did a quick n dirty par check to see... Here are the results. Lights are 5" from surface and pumps/powerheads are running. T5's are off. 1st 3 photos are at the bottom of tank, last three are 12" up the display.

In essence your fretting over something thats not going to give you a LOT of actual light imho.

I'm no expert by ANY means take it for what it's worth...

 

[Charley75]

Ok…finally bit the bullet…ordered a 48” QP Reef Crest and a Meso Blue. These will go with my Reef Brite Blue Xho. Now to figure how to mount inside my canopy…lol. Was hoping to somehow adapt the Reefbrite mounting brackets for attaching them together ( the arc one ), but my XHO is 36”.