2 Hydra 26 hd's or ATI t5 fixture

Acrofiend · Apr 16, 2017

Okay thank you. So far I'm planning on going with ati 6 bulb dimmable fixture with 3 blue+, 1 coral+, 1 purple+ and actinic. What do you guys think?

Acrofiend · Apr 16, 2017

And a reefbrite xho

nervousmonkey · Apr 16, 2017

That will look great! It will be blue though, and with the pure blue reefbrite XHO, you'll have a LOT of blue. I might add a coral+ instead of blue+ as it has a better spectrum.

Acrofiend · Apr 16, 2017

Okay sounds good. Would you recommend the dimmable or the non dimmable?

nervousmonkey · Apr 16, 2017

Non dimmable. I have the dimmable but it's not needed really. I would save the money and go non dimmable.

Knaszak · Apr 17, 2017

ATI 6 bulb,7" from water reef brites 500 par top, 350 bottom all SPS , growth is amazing.. great color w blue reef brites

Nuggs · Apr 17, 2017

Hybrid

Acrofiend · Apr 17, 2017

Knaszak said:
ATI 6 bulb,7" from water reef brites 500 par top, 350 bottom all SPS , growth is amazing.. great color w blue reef brites

What bulb combo would you recommend? Do you have any photos? Thanks

pokerdobe · Apr 17, 2017

nervousmonkey said:
Awesome, thanks Salty! @nanoreefer562 just be aware that taking out tubes will affect your PAR and your system, the nanobox retrofit will not replace that amount of PAR that you will definitely need for SPS growth, even the ability to survive...

Why do you say that? @markalot and @metrokat keep ATI/Nanobox Retrofits and they keep SPS just fine...

pokerdobe · Apr 17, 2017

@nanoreefer562

Having used the Nanobox Duo, Quad, and Hybrid, as well as the ATI 36" 8 bulb fixture, I don't think there's a problem if you add in Nanobox's LED pucks. It just depends on the number of pucks you plan on adding.

Acrofiend · Apr 17, 2017

Now I'm stumped. I was looking to add maybe two pucks, possibly four. My tank is only 30x18x18. So, do you think two pucks will be sufficient?
I'm undecided if I should buy a $200 reefbrite and keep 6 bulbs or spend $300-$500 for 2-4 pucks but get the adjustability of LED's and color "pop" but only have four bulbs. What do you guys think?

pokerdobe · Apr 17, 2017

Either way works, as far as I'm concerned. I just wanted to let you know keeping SPS is very possible with the hybrid retro. Obviously cost is a factor, the NBR is far more expensive. As for how many pucks, talk to Dave. He's great and can give you a recommendation on the number of pucks.

I personally will be retroing my 8 bulb ATI when funds allow.

Acrofiend · Apr 17, 2017

Decisions decisions [emoji848][emoji848]

sromero287 · Apr 19, 2017

ATI 6 bulbs and reefbrites xho, 3B+, 2Act, 1P+, for ur reference

Personally prefer the T5's and Led combination cause u can set the colors wayyy different than blueish all the time

Acrofiend · Apr 19, 2017

That's exactly what I'm looking for! Thank you!!

Xclusive Reef · Apr 19, 2017

nervousmonkey said:
Non dimmable. I have the dimmable but it's not needed really. I would save the money and go non dimmable.

so from the time you turn on your lights to the time you turn off they are set to 100% i thought with the dimmable you can program to start lower and raise toward half day then lower again?

nervousmonkey · Apr 19, 2017

I have the dimmable fixture, but I don't think it's needed, and there are a lot of great coral growers, e.g. Jason Fox, who don't use dimmable and say it isn't needed. If you want to ramp up and down, then definitely get a dimmable fixture. I like it for personal viewing, since it comes on slowly and ends the night with actinics, but I don't think the corals care as much as I do. That's just my opinion and what I have read from some coral growers. Buy what you want though; if you want it to start lower and increase then decrease again at night, go for dimmable.