What LED to replace a 24 inch ATI T-5 fixture

garygb · 07/05/2015, 07:51 PM

My 6 bulb ATI T-5 has been hit or miss firing the bulbs. I'm debating switching to an LED. This is for a cube keeping Heteractis magnificas (ritteri) anemones that I've had for years. I'm kinda old school and don't know much about LEDs, but I've seen/read success stories of keeping anemones under LEDs. Any suggestions on a fixture for a 24"x24" cube. I don't want to DIY at all, plug and play all the way for me. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

kenpau · 07/05/2015, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garygb

My 6 bulb ATI T-5 has been hit or miss firing the bulbs. I'm debating switching to an LED. This is for a cube keeping Heteractis magnificas (ritteri) anemones that I've had for years. I'm kinda old school and don't know much about LEDs, but I've seen/read success stories of keeping anemones under LEDs. Any suggestions on a fixture for a 24"x24" cube. I don't want to DIY at all, plug and play all the way for me. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Unfortunately with high end LEDs there isn't really such a thing as plug and play. It takes time to find the right settings for your system, lack of patience is probably the main reason you see so many threads bashing LEDs. That being said if you are willing to put the time into playing with whatever fixture you buy then you can get amazing results with LEDs. You should be fine with Hydra52s, Radions or Kessils as long as you set them up correctly. Personally I think LED/T5 Hybrids are now the way to go, however my basis for that is more on Acropora requirements rather than anemone so maybe someone else can add a bit more as to the best lighting for them.

Bootlegger · 07/05/2015, 09:56 PM

I pretty much have the same question but to replace 2 out of my 6x 54 watt T5HOs. I'm trying to run a hybrid system to get best of both worlds. Anyway, I've run 100% LED for a couple years on a 28 gallon nano. The results were excellent.

LEDs are supposed to give you much more PAR per watt so you could theoretically go with less wattage. My guess is you could go with 20% less, or 80% of what you currently run. There are plenty of LEDs in the 150 watt range so you should have many options. I'm hoping others can give more guidance in this area as I'm guessing here.

garygb · 07/06/2015, 09:07 AM

Thank you both for your information. And I appreciate your advice, kenpau, about being patient with the process of dialing the lights in properly.

Wazzel · 07/06/2015, 10:32 AM

I run two AI hydra 52's on my 60 cube. The power and color is there in a single unit, but the coverage is lacking. If you do not need the power of the 52, you could use two 26's.

I keep SPS, LPS and a clam with no issues.

garygb · 07/06/2015, 05:47 PM

More helpful information Wazzel. Thank you.

07/05/2015, 07:51 PM	#1
garygb Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: los angeles Posts: 4,471	What LED to replace a 24 inch ATI T-5 fixture My 6 bulb ATI T-5 has been hit or miss firing the bulbs. I'm debating switching to an LED. This is for a cube keeping Heteractis magnificas (ritteri) anemones that I've had for years. I'm kinda old school and don't know much about LEDs, but I've seen/read success stories of keeping anemones under LEDs. Any suggestions on a fixture for a 24"x24" cube. I don't want to DIY at all, plug and play all the way for me. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

07/06/2015, 10:32 AM	#5
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	I run two AI hydra 52's on my 60 cube. The power and color is there in a single unit, but the coverage is lacking. If you do not need the power of the 52, you could use two 26's. I keep SPS, LPS and a clam with no issues. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

07/05/2015, 09:56 PM	#3
Bootlegger Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ventura County Posts: 71	I pretty much have the same question but to replace 2 out of my 6x 54 watt T5HOs. I'm trying to run a hybrid system to get best of both worlds. Anyway, I've run 100% LED for a couple years on a 28 gallon nano. The results were excellent. LEDs are supposed to give you much more PAR per watt so you could theoretically go with less wattage. My guess is you could go with 20% less, or 80% of what you currently run. There are plenty of LEDs in the 150 watt range so you should have many options. I'm hoping others can give more guidance in this area as I'm guessing here.

07/06/2015, 09:07 AM	#4
garygb Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: los angeles Posts: 4,471	Thank you both for your information. And I appreciate your advice, kenpau, about being patient with the process of dialing the lights in properly.

07/06/2015, 05:47 PM	#6
garygb Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: los angeles Posts: 4,471	More helpful information Wazzel. Thank you.