4 T5's plus LED or 6 T5's for 75 Gal

thefranchizehof · 11/26/2013, 08:14 AM

Hey everyone!

Just kind of have a question. I know everyone has their own preferences but being somewhat newer to the hobby I had a question and asking for your feedback.

I currently have a Odyssea 4 bulb T5 fixture. I know it's a cheaper fixture I just don't have $400+ to spend on lights. I have 2 10k white bulbs with 2 Actinic Blue bulbs. The current bulbs are the Coral Sun brand from Petco.

Now I got some feedback from fellow aquarists on Instagram telling me to get rid of the bulbs and to buy some ATI T5's as they are the "industry" standard if you will.

Currently, my power is (54x4) 216 watts / 75 gallons = 2.8 watts per gallon. I want to give my tank a nice little boost.

The question is... do I upgrade to a 6 bulb T5 fixture which would put me at 4.3 watts per gallon or do I keep my current 4 bulb T5 and add an LED fixture that consists of those 3w LED's? I found an EVO 48" LED fixture with 32 3w LED's which would put me at 4.1 watts per gallon.

What is your opinion?

rtparty · 11/26/2013, 09:23 AM

Watts per gallon doesn't matter. That's an old, outdated rule of thumb.

Adding some good LEDs would be nice but you'll need $300-400 to do so. Build my LEDs or reefbrite are good options for LEDs.

And yes, change those bulbs ASAP to some ATI. You'll be happy you did.

lighthouze08 · 11/26/2013, 09:29 AM

i would upgrade to the 6 bulb Tek fixture, you can grow pretty much anything with a 6 bulb fixture on a 75

MBMAX · 11/26/2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lighthouze08

i would upgrade to the 6 bulb Tek fixture, you can grow pretty much anything with a 6 bulb fixture on a 75

Totally agree.

rtparty · 11/26/2013, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lighthouze08

i would upgrade to the 6 bulb Tek fixture, you can grow pretty much anything with a 6 bulb fixture on a 75

If it is a Tek or better, than yes but the OP never mentions a Tek. I have a feeling it might be a 6 bulb Odyssea. There are way better options than Odyssea.

thefranchizehof · 11/26/2013, 07:02 PM

Yeah it was an "Odyssea" that I was looking at. Now I know I'm newer to the hobby but how is there exactly an effect of the fixture? I feel like if you can get a fixture for $150 or $500 your smarter to save money.

The fixture just "powers" the bulbs.

FranktheTankTx · 11/26/2013, 07:14 PM

Quality of build - reflectors, ballasts, cooling, etc.
ATI is the BEST. TEK is good... Odyssea sux.
You could really save some $$ on a fixture right now.

thefranchizehof · 11/26/2013, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FranktheTankTx

Quality of build - reflectors, ballasts, cooling, etc.
ATI is the BEST. TEK is good... Odyssea sux.
You could really save some $$ on a fixture right now.

You have any links?

FranktheTankTx · 11/26/2013, 07:31 PM

On my phone now & I suck @ phone posting. But all stores are doing 15 or 16% off Black Friday sales. I just saved some serious dough on a ATI 8x54w Dimmable Sunpower.

rtparty · 11/26/2013, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefranchizehof

Yeah it was an "Odyssea" that I was looking at. Now I know I'm newer to the hobby but how is there exactly an effect of the fixture? I feel like if you can get a fixture for $150 or $500 your smarter to save money.

The fixture just "powers" the bulbs.

Is every car built the same? Is every cell phone the same as it just "calls" people?

Over time you will lose money with Odyssea fixtures. They aren't well designed or well cooled so bulbs really only last about 6 months. With an ATI the bulbs will go a full year easy. You will also get way better performance and way better light for your corals.

FranktheTankTx · 11/26/2013, 08:27 PM

^^ Ya & even a ATI 4 bulb Sunpower will be better than the Odyssea.

You could get one for $370 right now (non dimmable) @ PA. 4 bulbs will run you just less than $70 with the sale.

thefranchizehof · 11/26/2013, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FranktheTankTx

^^ Ya & even a ATI 4 bulb Sunpower will be better than the Odyssea.

You could get one for $370 right now (non dimmable) @ PA. 4 bulbs will run you just less than $70 with the sale.

What is PA? I will def check it out.

So basically you are saying an ATI 4 bulb fixture will put shame to a 6 bulb no-name fixture?

OR...as a cheaper route for now at least...it's definitely worth getting 4 ATI bulbs to put in my current Odyssea fixture?

thefranchizehof · 11/26/2013, 08:46 PM

Oh I'm going to guess PA stands for Premium Aquatics.

FranktheTankTx · 11/26/2013, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefranchizehof

What is PA? I will def check it out.

So basically you are saying an ATI 4 bulb fixture will put shame to a 6 bulb no-name fixture?

OR...as a cheaper route for now at least...it's definitely worth getting 4 ATI bulbs to put in my current Odyssea fixture?

Yes & yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefranchizehof

Oh I'm going to guess PA stands for Premium Aquatics.

Yes.

plasma327 · 11/26/2013, 09:46 PM

Ever thought about halides?

4bruceinc · 11/26/2013, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefranchizehof

Oh I'm going to guess PA stands for Premium Aquatics.

Remain patient. The PA sale will last through the weekend. Additionally, Marine Depot has implied in their forum that a significant ATI fixture discount will be announced this week - read their ATI T5 Sunpower thread.

thefranchizehof · 11/27/2013, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4bruceinc

Remain patient. The PA sale will last through the weekend. Additionally, Marine Depot has implied in their forum that a significant ATI fixture discount will be announced this week - read their ATI T5 Sunpower thread.

Thank you I appreciate I will definitely look into it.

lighthouze08 · 11/27/2013, 09:39 AM

save money and buy the fixture that you want, don't buy cheap fixtures and cheap bulbs because you'll end up not liking it down the road. I'm sure you'll find good deals online tomorrow

YoungREEFA · 11/27/2013, 10:04 AM

Running ati bulbs in the oddysey wont really do much anyway. The fixture is whats gets the power out of the bulbs

rtparty · 11/27/2013, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungREEFA

Running ati bulbs in the oddysey wont really do much anyway. The fixture is whats gets the power out of the bulbs

Yeah, doubling the PAR isn't much....

Big E · 11/28/2013, 06:32 AM

Those Sunlight Supply Sunblaze fixtures are a steal if you're looking for a no frills unit.

It has a 5 year warranty. I don't know anything about the performance of these fixtures, but the Sunlight Supply Tek fixtures always had a good rep.

YoungREEFA · 11/28/2013, 12:32 PM

But considering how much more par he could get WITH an ati fixture

11/26/2013, 08:14 AM	#1
thefranchizehof Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: North Canton, OH Posts: 144	4 T5's plus LED or 6 T5's for 75 Gal Hey everyone! Just kind of have a question. I know everyone has their own preferences but being somewhat newer to the hobby I had a question and asking for your feedback. I currently have a Odyssea 4 bulb T5 fixture. I know it's a cheaper fixture I just don't have $400+ to spend on lights. I have 2 10k white bulbs with 2 Actinic Blue bulbs. The current bulbs are the Coral Sun brand from Petco. Now I got some feedback from fellow aquarists on Instagram telling me to get rid of the bulbs and to buy some ATI T5's as they are the "industry" standard if you will. Currently, my power is (54x4) 216 watts / 75 gallons = 2.8 watts per gallon. I want to give my tank a nice little boost. The question is... do I upgrade to a 6 bulb T5 fixture which would put me at 4.3 watts per gallon or do I keep my current 4 bulb T5 and add an LED fixture that consists of those 3w LED's? I found an EVO 48" LED fixture with 32 3w LED's which would put me at 4.1 watts per gallon. What is your opinion? __________________ Sean "I don't always go to reef shops, but when I do, I spend money I shouldn't."

11/26/2013, 09:23 AM	#2
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Watts per gallon doesn't matter. That's an old, outdated rule of thumb. Adding some good LEDs would be nice but you'll need $300-400 to do so. Build my LEDs or reefbrite are good options for LEDs. And yes, change those bulbs ASAP to some ATI. You'll be happy you did. __________________ 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+

11/26/2013, 09:29 AM	#3
lighthouze08 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: VA Posts: 843	i would upgrade to the 6 bulb Tek fixture, you can grow pretty much anything with a 6 bulb fixture on a 75 __________________ _____________

11/26/2013, 07:02 PM	#6
thefranchizehof Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: North Canton, OH Posts: 144	Yeah it was an "Odyssea" that I was looking at. Now I know I'm newer to the hobby but how is there exactly an effect of the fixture? I feel like if you can get a fixture for $150 or $500 your smarter to save money. The fixture just "powers" the bulbs. __________________ Sean "I don't always go to reef shops, but when I do, I spend money I shouldn't."

11/26/2013, 07:14 PM	#7
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	Quality of build - reflectors, ballasts, cooling, etc. ATI is the BEST. TEK is good... Odyssea sux. You could really save some $$ on a fixture right now. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

11/26/2013, 07:31 PM	#9
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	On my phone now & I suck @ phone posting. But all stores are doing 15 or 16% off Black Friday sales. I just saved some serious dough on a ATI 8x54w Dimmable Sunpower. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

11/26/2013, 08:27 PM	#11
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	^^ Ya & even a ATI 4 bulb Sunpower will be better than the Odyssea. You could get one for $370 right now (non dimmable) @ PA. 4 bulbs will run you just less than $70 with the sale. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

11/26/2013, 08:46 PM	#13
thefranchizehof Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: North Canton, OH Posts: 144	Oh I'm going to guess PA stands for Premium Aquatics. __________________ Sean "I don't always go to reef shops, but when I do, I spend money I shouldn't."

11/26/2013, 09:46 PM	#15
plasma327 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Morgantown WV Posts: 304	Ever thought about halides?

11/27/2013, 09:39 AM	#18
lighthouze08 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: VA Posts: 843	save money and buy the fixture that you want, don't buy cheap fixtures and cheap bulbs because you'll end up not liking it down the road. I'm sure you'll find good deals online tomorrow __________________ _____________

11/27/2013, 10:04 AM	#19
YoungREEFA Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 895	Running ati bulbs in the oddysey wont really do much anyway. The fixture is whats gets the power out of the bulbs

11/28/2013, 06:32 AM	#21
Big E Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Euclid, OH Posts: 4,281	Those Sunlight Supply Sunblaze fixtures are a steal if you're looking for a no frills unit. It has a 5 year warranty. I don't know anything about the performance of these fixtures, but the Sunlight Supply Tek fixtures always had a good rep. __________________ 80g Rimless Acropora System reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142&page=31 Ed

11/28/2013, 12:32 PM	#22
YoungREEFA Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 895	But considering how much more par he could get WITH an ati fixture