4bulb or 6bulb T5HO HELP!

jeremy · Sep 9, 2016

I try to find used fixtures with bulbs. You can usually find them for a decent price.
I have used the oddysea fixture before. The fixture was extremely hot to the touch. I was more worried about a fire. It did grow corals. But started needing new sockets and ballasts in a year and had to do 2 bulb changes.
They do grow corals. And some people do grow sps top to bottom. I do. So what one person needs sometimes don't work for someone else.
I guess I don't want to buy a throw away fixture. I would rather have a quality one that will last. I am not in the hobby for the short term. So I hope my fixtures will last several years.

webbl19 · Sep 9, 2016

jeremy said:
I try to find used fixtures with bulbs. You can usually find them for a decent price.
I have used the oddysea fixture before. The fixture was extremely hot to the touch. I was more worried about a fire. It did grow corals. But started needing new sockets and ballasts in a year and had to do 2 bulb changes.
They do grow corals. And some people do grow sps top to bottom. I do. So what one person needs sometimes don't work for someone else.
I guess I don't want to buy a throw away fixture. I would rather have a quality one that will last. I am not in the hobby for the short term. So I hope my fixtures will last several years.

I also read that about the odyssea fixtures, but have read a lot of reviews of the newer models being cooler. Mine is warm, I wouldn't say it's hot. I can keep my hand on it as long as I want.

Isn't it recommended to replace T5 bulbs every 6-9 months anyway? I see ATI users recommend between 6-12. So I would think 8 months would be the average lifespan.

Will a lower intensity of blue spectrum really hurt? I notice the white ones are what most talk about when they talk about spectrum and intensity, with examples of a 10000k bulb dropping to a 6500k spectrum for example, I don't read much on the effects of old blue bulbs. I have 2 super blue, 1 actinic and one coral wave. The coral wave is really the only one outside of the blue spectrum for the most part.

jeremy · Sep 9, 2016

I use almost all ATI bulbs in ATI fixtures and I Chang bulbs 12-14 months. After 14 months the new ones are visibly brighter. I only change 2 bulbs a week so I don't shock the corals with brighter light.

jeremy · Sep 9, 2016

Old bulbs will shift spectrum and can fuel nuscance algae. I just change my 2 bulb channel that I run 10 hours a day every year and my daylight channel change about 14 months. But it only runs 5 hours a day. I run 3 blue plus 2 aqua blue special and 1 purple plus in my 6 bulb Ati.

Mandrew · Sep 9, 2016

Savannah16 said:
I am running a 6 bulb fixture with 4 ati bulbs and 2 euroquatic e5 led bulbs as my blues. Check them out. http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/euroquatics-blue-pop-e5-retrofit-t5-led-lamps

They are led bulbs that plug directly into the t5 socket.

What brand of fixture?

Mandrew · Sep 9, 2016

No offense to anyone urging me to buy a better fixture but... How many of you have personally used a shop light or grow light fixture? Because the lfs actually uses these things and has good results that's all I am saying. If I told my girlfriend I had to spend $500 on a light she would make me sell the tank...

Mandrew · Sep 9, 2016

It's really no different than a retro fit. And I can always add Ati ballasts

Saltysav96 · Sep 9, 2016

Mandrew said:
What brand of fixture?

Honestly have no idea what brand it is. Bought it used at a lfs. Then bought the bulbs. Highly recommend the euroquatic e5 led bulbs tho.. I will say that i bought a 4 bulb Odyssey fixture and within 3 months it stopped working.

Bpb · Sep 9, 2016

Regarding the comment of LEDs run at 30-50%. That's half user error and half life extending practice. Heat kills LEDs quick, and power generates heat. Plus...most of the actual lab testing done on those LEDs (radions for example) typically have them hung 24" or higher with 100% intensity used for maximum color blending, but raised high to achieve an optimum par level. Most hobbyists hang them way too close to the water and turn them down then complain about hot spots and disco ball. Again...user weeor

Mandrew · Sep 9, 2016

I plan on hanging the fixture no matter which one I get. That way it's not close enough for salt spray so that will help a lot. The LED tubes seem interesting and I've heard of those before so maybe I will look into those in the future. I plan on using ATI bulbs for now.

Saltysav96 · Sep 12, 2016

Mandrew said:
I plan on hanging the fixture no matter which one I get. That way it's not close enough for salt spray so that will help a lot. The LED tubes seem interesting and I've heard of those before so maybe I will look into those in the future. I plan on using ATI bulbs for now.

I would use the led tubes and ATI bulbs in a 6 bulb fixture. That way you get your t5 with the led effect.

Mandrew · Sep 12, 2016

And I wouldn't have to change as many bulbs. As well as more energy efficient I would assume

Bpb · Sep 12, 2016

I would say less energy. They're not going to pump out as much useable light or as wide of a spectrum as the blue+ bulb will so you won't have near the growing value out of it, so...efficient is kind of a misleading term. It won't have the same performance as a true t5ho tube. It'll just use less power and look different

Rpujol85 · Sep 12, 2016

You will be fine with the sunblaze unit. As previously mentioned you could always swap out drivers and reflectors in the future as the need arises. Maybe add a fan or two before setting it up if you are so inclined.