Advice needed-aquatic life 61 t5 hybrid

[B-ridge]

I was ready to buy the aquatic life 61 T5 hybrid light when I read the details of it. It’s only recommended for tanks 18-24 inches(front to back). My tank is 36 inches(front to back). My tank is also 60 long. Exact measurements are 60 long. 36 wide. 25 high. I really like this light as I can use my hydra52 HD’s with it. Does anyone have any suggestions on what would work for my system without breaking the bank? I’m assuming the issue with the 61 inch is it’s only 4 bulbs. Would probably need something with 6-8 bulbs. Not sure if they even make hybrid fixtures like that

 

[Retro Reefer]

You can get expanders to increase the width of fixture from18 to 24 inches.. If your not planning a full blown SPS tank I think 4 bulbs along with your LED’s would be fine.

AquaticLife Hybrid 24'' End Plate (23.25''), Pair

This AquaticLife Hybrid 24' End Plate (23.25'), Pair is a direct replacement for the AquaticLife 24' End Plate that comes with every AquaticLife Hybrid (AquaticLife Part# 470536).

www.marineandreef.com

 

[jda]

You only really need to light where you are going to have coral. If you are going to have coral all 36 inches of depth, then you might be better off with 2x 6 bulb units or a 10/12 bulb unit.

Not many lights outside of some Metal Halide can do 36 inches very well... some advertise it, but they come up short in real life. You need to think of this like trying to light a pair of 18" tanks and use two rows of lighting.

 

[Jynxgirl]

I would suggest buying two of the 24inch hybrids, and putting an extra led between the two hybrids, for a total of three leds. Maybe making a metal bracket to daisy chain the two hybrids together, and the same space inbetween the two, as between the T5s in the hybrid itself. Also, with 36 inch wide, almost no led pendant is going to be enough for that wide of a space unless you are going with the larger 24 inch long options that you run long ways front to back rather than side to side. I have 30inch maxspects that I had on a 320/36 inch wide tank that I ran that way. I had T5 retros that were between the maxspects.

 

[Wen]

I was ready to buy the aquatic life 61 T5 hybrid light when I read the details of it. It’s only recommended for tanks 18-24 inches(front to back). My tank is 36 inches(front to back). My tank is also 60 long. Exact measurements are 60 long. 36 wide. 25 high. I really like this light as I can use my hydra52 HD’s with it. Does anyone have any suggestions on what would work for my system without breaking the bank? I’m assuming the issue with the 61 inch is it’s only 4 bulbs. Would probably need something with 6-8 bulbs. Not sure if they even make hybrid fixtures like that

I’m in the same boat as you B-ridge. Looking at 61” Aquatic Life to use over a 64” long x 30” wide x 34” tall with 4 hydra 52hds.
Not done the research yet to see if the AL hybrid can accommodate hydras mounted front to back...not side to side.
I’m hoping that with my aquascape centered in tank, this will work out perfectly.
Where are you in your decision or research?

 

[B-ridge]

@Wen. I’m honestly still not sure what to do or how I’m gonna do it. With the 4 hydra 52hds I’m not sure it’s necessary to even have t5’s. I just wanted to add some to my lights I already have. Supposovely t5 are healthier and corals like the all natural lights more

 

[14 foot reef]

My tank is 36" front to back and it is an "Island" style tank 4 sides viewable in the middle of the room. The 24" adapters is all you need you will not need to light the entire 36" width, the reflection of the light will fill in the last few inches needed, plus it will keep your algae down on the glass. You will be very happy with the Hybrid fixture. Trust me !!!!!!!!

 

[Wen]

My tank is 36" front to back and it is an "Island" style tank 4 sides viewable in the middle of the room. The 24" adapters is all you need you will not need to light the entire 36" width, the reflection of the light will fill in the last few inches needed, plus it will keep your algae down on the glass. You will be very happy with the Hybrid fixture. Trust me !!!!!!!!

Thank you 14 foot reef for your encouragement, keeping algae off the glass is a bonus for sure!

I played around a few years ago with t5s / leds and it's a solid combo...took off the t5s due to heat for the past 2 years and miss them.

Did a bit of digging on BRS, so looks like you purchase the 61" hybrid and purchase the 24" end plates and end caps to widen the fixture. Any other helpful hints?

 

[B-ridge]

Guess I have to wait until the next sale to grab mine. Missed out on Black Friday/cyber Monday deals. Maybe get lucky and find one used

 

[Karliefish]

My tank is 36" front to back and it is an "Island" style tank 4 sides viewable in the middle of the room. The 24" adapters is all you need you will not need to light the entire 36" width, the reflection of the light will fill in the last few inches needed, plus it will keep your algae down on the glass. You will be very happy with the Hybrid fixture. Trust me !!!!!!!!

I am setting up an 8” foot tank 30” wide and 25” high - all SPS coral. Only the front of the tank will be displayed - the sides and the back of the tank will be behind a wall. Therefore my question is....I’m told that if I go with two 48” Aquatic Life Hybrids that they will hang-out slightly over the end of the tank and that I don’t need that much coverage. Instead I’m being told to go with two 36” Aquatic Life Hybrids. Doing that seems like I’m not going to get enough coverage at each end of the tank. Should I consider one 48” and one 36”? One last question if I go with the 24” adapters to widen the fixture (going to put GHL Mitras LX7206 in the middle) do I then have to buy a new end caps? Are the 24” adapters tricky to install?

 

[dbq5anlxj]

I am setting up an 8” foot tank 30” wide and 25” high - all SPS coral. Only the front of the tank will be displayed - the sides and the back of the tank will be behind a wall. Therefore my question is....I’m told that if I go with two 48” Aquatic Life Hybrids that they will hang-out slightly over the end of the tank and that I don’t need that much coverage. Instead I’m being told to go with two 36” Aquatic Life Hybrids. Doing that seems like I’m not going to get enough coverage at each end of the tank. Should I consider one 48” and one 36”? One last question if I go with the 24” adapters to widen the fixture (going to put GHL Mitras LX7206 in the middle) do I then have to buy a new end caps? Are the 24” adapters tricky to install?

Did you end up getting the 24 inch adapter? My tank is 60x30x21. I just wonder should. I get the 24 or the standard 18 inch end plate. Thanks

 

[Karliefish]

Did you end up getting the 24 inch adapter? My tank is 60x30x21. I just wonder should. I get the 24 or the standard 18 inch end plate. Thanks

I haven;t done my purchase yet, but when I do so I’m going with the 24” end plates as I’ll feel better knowing I’ve got the extra room. Deciding on 18 versus 24 inch adapter is going to depend on what type of lights you plan on installing in your hybrid setup. Since I’m going with the GHL Mitras that automaticlly made the decision 24” for me. Since you are gong with a 30” wide tank you could definitely accommodate the 24” end plates

 

[dbq5anlxj]

I haven;t done my purchase yet, but when I do so I’m going with the 24” end plates as I’ll feel better knowing I’ve got the extra room. Deciding on 18 versus 24 inch adapter is going to depend on what type of lights you plan on installing in your hybrid setup. Since I’m going with the GHL Mitras that automaticlly made the decision 24” for me. Since you are gong with a 30” wide tank you could definitely accommodate the 24” end plates

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to just use xr15. The only concern I have is the standard 18 is too narrow for the 30 inch tank.

 

[Ocelaris]

Any long term updates for the 30+ inch wide tanks with the 24" al hybrid setup? I have a 60x36x27, but an internal full height overflow, so it's closer to 30 for 3/4 of the tank. I'm moving from a 6x80 + 60" hybrid + 2 kessil a350 to only the 60" al hybrid and two kessil ap700 in the next few weeks. I'm trying to bring the power consumption down from almost 1000 watts and just curious how others have fared with just the AL hybrid for t5. T5 definitely grow sps well, so I'm sad to see the ATI sunpower fixture go, but times change. I'd be especially happy if the chiller got a break.

 

[Thor2j]

Any updates on this with 30” wide tank? Have 4 xr15 blues and moving to a 72x30x22 tank. Would like to go t5 hybrid.

 

[Ocelaris]

Mine have been fine, although there's definitely lower light in the very front. I sent the 18" AL hybrid spacers back since I didn't feel they were necessary. I will eventually add an led strip to the front, but it's not a huge deal. The 2x ap700 and 1x 360we are providing the majority of the light anyways. I have 18" of high light area, and tapering off 9" in the front and back. I rented a par meter from brs and it was sufficient half way down the tank.