What T5 fixture for a 24x18x14 tall?

RLHornbeck · 10/14/2009, 03:03 PM

I am trying to figure out what fixture for my new tank. I am looking a few fish and a BTA in the tank. I would like a T5 fixture as I don't want the heat of the MH's.

I am looking a 24" fixtures but should I look at a 4 or 6 bulb fixtures. The fixture will be hung above the tank and not in a canopy so must look decent.

I don't want to spend to much. Used is an option but i have not had much luck on find a nice one.

Please let me know your thoughts.

rtparty · 10/14/2009, 05:11 PM

You will want to look at a 6 bulb unit. The Current Nova Extreme Pro will do the trick if you aren't keeping high light stuff. I would even look into the Aquatic Life stuff. It is nice and not too expensive.

Timmo760 · 10/14/2009, 05:15 PM

i just bought the 24" fixture from wave point. it's awesome. i love it. it has 4 bulbs. the only down side is that there is only one switch, so either all the light are on or off

RLHornbeck · 10/14/2009, 05:34 PM

rtparty
I like the Current Nova Extreme Pro but it does not come in a 24" fixture. The 20" has a very limited bulb selection if I remember correctly.

Timmo760
I have never heard of the wave point fixtures, I will look into them.

coralreefer80 · 10/14/2009, 05:50 PM

If you aren't using a canopy, are you open to fixtures with legs and not just suspended fixtures? The Sundial T5 and the AquaticLife fixtures are nice, decent quality, all-in-one fixtures.

RLHornbeck · 10/14/2009, 07:02 PM

Coralreefer80

I have no problem with fixtures that sit on the tank. I would probably modify them for hanging but I do not feel that would be a problem.

E.intheC · 10/14/2009, 07:55 PM

what's your budget? I'd go with an ATI Powermodule if you have the cash for it. If not, try a 6 bulb Tek fixture.

rtparty · 10/14/2009, 08:04 PM

An ATI Powermodule is OVERKILL for a tank that is only keeping a BTA. Save the money on a cheaper fixture and just change the bulbs in the first few months.

Also TEK doesn't make a 24" 6 bulb fixture. Only 4 bulbs. You have to look at the ATI Sunpowers for a 6x24W fixture and even that is overkill in this situation.

E.intheC · 10/14/2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

Also TEK doesn't make a 24" 6 bulb fixture. Only 4 bulbs. You have to look at the ATI Sunpowers for a 6x24W fixture and even that is overkill in this situation.

You're correct. I keep forgetting that.

Sunpower would be good as well. But they're expensive.

The NEP's are good as well, but most people want to change out the bulbs that I've seen.

RLHornbeck · 10/14/2009, 08:52 PM

My budget is open but I do not want to waste money I could spend elsewhere. I do however want to make sure the job is done right.

RLHornbeck · 10/16/2009, 06:30 PM

What are peoples thoughts on the Aquaticlife T5 fixtures? I am interested in the 4 bulb, LED moon lights, and built in digital timers. The price seems good and bulbs look descent.

rtparty · 10/16/2009, 10:56 PM

I was impressed with the Aquatic Life fixture that I saw. I would change the bulbs pretty quick (first 6 months). I don't have any numbers but the fixture was rock solid.

Chibils · 10/17/2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

You will want to look at a 6 bulb unit. The Current Nova Extreme Pro will do the trick if you aren't keeping high light stuff. I would even look into the Aquatic Life stuff. It is nice and not too expensive.

+1. I love mine. I was hesitant at first because it didn't have the huge buzz on RC like ATI, TEK, Aquactinics, etc. have but it's FANTASTIC. imo you could get away with a 4-bulb on a 14" tall tank. I have no problem keeping anything I've tried with a 4-bulb in my 24" deep tank.

10/14/2009, 03:03 PM	#1
RLHornbeck Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carolina's Posts: 89	What T5 fixture for a 24x18x14 tall? I am trying to figure out what fixture for my new tank. I am looking a few fish and a BTA in the tank. I would like a T5 fixture as I don't want the heat of the MH's. I am looking a 24" fixtures but should I look at a 4 or 6 bulb fixtures. The fixture will be hung above the tank and not in a canopy so must look decent. I don't want to spend to much. Used is an option but i have not had much luck on find a nice one. Please let me know your thoughts.

10/14/2009, 05:11 PM	#2
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	You will want to look at a 6 bulb unit. The Current Nova Extreme Pro will do the trick if you aren't keeping high light stuff. I would even look into the Aquatic Life stuff. It is nice and not too expensive. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

10/14/2009, 07:55 PM	#7
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	what's your budget? I'd go with an ATI Powermodule if you have the cash for it. If not, try a 6 bulb Tek fixture. __________________ -Eric

10/14/2009, 08:04 PM	#8
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	An ATI Powermodule is OVERKILL for a tank that is only keeping a BTA. Save the money on a cheaper fixture and just change the bulbs in the first few months. Also TEK doesn't make a 24" 6 bulb fixture. Only 4 bulbs. You have to look at the ATI Sunpowers for a 6x24W fixture and even that is overkill in this situation. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

10/16/2009, 10:56 PM	#12
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	I was impressed with the Aquatic Life fixture that I saw. I would change the bulbs pretty quick (first 6 months). I don't have any numbers but the fixture was rock solid. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

10/14/2009, 05:15 PM	#3
Timmo760 Water dist. Tech Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 205	i just bought the 24" fixture from wave point. it's awesome. i love it. it has 4 bulbs. the only down side is that there is only one switch, so either all the light are on or off

10/14/2009, 05:34 PM	#4
RLHornbeck Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carolina's Posts: 89	rtparty I like the Current Nova Extreme Pro but it does not come in a 24" fixture. The 20" has a very limited bulb selection if I remember correctly. Timmo760 I have never heard of the wave point fixtures, I will look into them.

10/14/2009, 05:50 PM	#5
coralreefer80 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 62	If you aren't using a canopy, are you open to fixtures with legs and not just suspended fixtures? The Sundial T5 and the AquaticLife fixtures are nice, decent quality, all-in-one fixtures.

10/14/2009, 07:02 PM	#6
RLHornbeck Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carolina's Posts: 89	Coralreefer80 I have no problem with fixtures that sit on the tank. I would probably modify them for hanging but I do not feel that would be a problem.

10/14/2009, 08:52 PM	#10
RLHornbeck Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carolina's Posts: 89	My budget is open but I do not want to waste money I could spend elsewhere. I do however want to make sure the job is done right.

10/16/2009, 06:30 PM	#11
RLHornbeck Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carolina's Posts: 89	What are peoples thoughts on the Aquaticlife T5 fixtures? I am interested in the 4 bulb, LED moon lights, and built in digital timers. The price seems good and bulbs look descent.