need Information on t5 fixtures

oscarreef · 10/15/2015, 07:56 PM

So for the past year that I have been in this hobby I have used only LED several different kind to be exact. I want to try T5 lighting on a budget I have a 40 Breeder that will will go on so 36" is all I know lol I need you T5ho gurus to shine some light and lecture me on what fixture to buy for the cheapest price I want to have the ability to grow. Anything lol mostly LPS maybe sps some day. Yes the tank is up and running with OR t247 which I will sell or trade for T5 fixture lol

SnowManSnow · 10/19/2015, 12:27 PM

If you plan on doing sps in the future, then I'd go ahead and get a light for it now. It will be more expensive to upgrade in the long run.

If possible I'd look for a 6 lamp fixture. The important things with t5 are:
1) Active cooling (fans)
2) Individual reflectors (not just one piece bent in a wave)
3) Is it over driven or not (either way is fine)

Now, the thing is you get what you pay for. If you're looking to spend less than $100 then you're going to be hurting for a quality t5 fixture, BUT... you can probably get a pretty darn good one for around $350 for the 3' length.

I would look for a used ATI SunPower. It has all the things you need, and nothing you don't.

Again. 6 lamp would be great, but ... at 40 breeder depth... you may could pull off 4 lamps.

Speaking of lamps.
For a 6 lamp fixture I would recommend:

1x GE 6500K
3x ATI Blue Plus
1x ATI Purple Plus
1x ATI Aquablue Special

hope this gets you going in the right direction.

oscarreef · 10/21/2015, 09:38 AM

It did I got a 4 light fixture high output and so far my corals love it ! I got a current USA from a local reefer traded it for some OR t247 so far I'm super happy with the T5s except for the loud fans. I am running

1+ actinic coral life
2+ blue Plus ati
1+coral plus ati

So far my corals are happy and I like the color . Seems the actinic is not bright at all has me thinking is it the different brand or what? And 3 lamps are used the actinic I bought from petco

What do you think?

ReefTankHunter · 10/21/2015, 11:11 AM

UVL super actinic is the bulb you want to use if you want an actinic

oscarreef · 10/21/2015, 12:47 PM

Does it bring out the pop from corals the coralife did but it was just really low light and I noticed it's v-ho so it can run both at 39 watts and 60 would that lower the life of the bulb if I'm running it at 39 watts ?

oscarreef · 10/21/2015, 12:48 PM

The reason I went for am actinic is the supplement and the visual it give the corals.

10/15/2015, 07:56 PM	#1
oscarreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 275	need Information on t5 fixtures So for the past year that I have been in this hobby I have used only LED several different kind to be exact. I want to try T5 lighting on a budget I have a 40 Breeder that will will go on so 36" is all I know lol I need you T5ho gurus to shine some light and lecture me on what fixture to buy for the cheapest price I want to have the ability to grow. Anything lol mostly LPS maybe sps some day. Yes the tank is up and running with OR t247 which I will sell or trade for T5 fixture lol

10/19/2015, 12:27 PM	#2
SnowManSnow Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 956	If you plan on doing sps in the future, then I'd go ahead and get a light for it now. It will be more expensive to upgrade in the long run. If possible I'd look for a 6 lamp fixture. The important things with t5 are: 1) Active cooling (fans) 2) Individual reflectors (not just one piece bent in a wave) 3) Is it over driven or not (either way is fine) Now, the thing is you get what you pay for. If you're looking to spend less than $100 then you're going to be hurting for a quality t5 fixture, BUT... you can probably get a pretty darn good one for around $350 for the 3' length. I would look for a used ATI SunPower. It has all the things you need, and nothing you don't. Again. 6 lamp would be great, but ... at 40 breeder depth... you may could pull off 4 lamps. Speaking of lamps. For a 6 lamp fixture I would recommend: 1x GE 6500K 3x ATI Blue Plus 1x ATI Purple Plus 1x ATI Aquablue Special hope this gets you going in the right direction. __________________ It's dark as the inside of a cow out here! - Mark Twain Current Tank Info: 120 MRC acrylic Tank (love it). Constellation T5s Mixed Reef

10/21/2015, 09:38 AM	#3
oscarreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 275	It did I got a 4 light fixture high output and so far my corals love it ! I got a current USA from a local reefer traded it for some OR t247 so far I'm super happy with the T5s except for the loud fans. I am running 1+ actinic coral life 2+ blue Plus ati 1+coral plus ati So far my corals are happy and I like the color . Seems the actinic is not bright at all has me thinking is it the different brand or what? And 3 lamps are used the actinic I bought from petco What do you think?

10/21/2015, 11:11 AM	#4
ReefTankHunter Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 392	UVL super actinic is the bulb you want to use if you want an actinic

10/21/2015, 12:47 PM	#5
oscarreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 275	Does it bring out the pop from corals the coralife did but it was just really low light and I noticed it's v-ho so it can run both at 39 watts and 60 would that lower the life of the bulb if I'm running it at 39 watts ?

10/21/2015, 12:48 PM	#6
oscarreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 275	The reason I went for am actinic is the supplement and the visual it give the corals.