Am I crazy for considering T5s only on a 40B build?

[FishyDP]

I honestly thought a number of people would hit me with. No control, it’s dying tech, no ramp up ramp down etc.

Maybe a few EcoTech rulez post. Call me dumbfounded [emoji848]

A $15 timer will give you the ability to ramp up/down, especially if you have a hybrid t5/led setup. Stagger/overlap the time your lights turn on etc..or spend a TON on AIs, Kessil or EcoTech. I was pretty close to getting the aquatic life hybrid fixture and using the aqua knights for leds..but decided on 2x odyssea 4 bulb t5 fixtures, which have built in timers. The timer has 2 channels so you can control the bulbs to come on at different times and create a ramp up/down period. The fixtures are around $90 on Amazon, 36" and come with bulbs. The 2 blue bulbs that come with it seem decent, and I am replacing the 2 white bulbs w ati blue or coral+. I am using 3 aqua knights to supplement the t5s. Plenty of light for my 6ft, 27" deep tank.

 

[Rjukan]

If you don't like the shimmer, go with a T5 fixture... if you feel like you're going to miss out on the pop LED blues give coral then pick up a ReefBrite to add to the T5s.

I started out with a Kessil A360 on my 60g cube. It wasn't putting out enough light for a tank that deep, and I wasn't a fan of the shimmer either. I switched to a 6 bulb T5 unit and I'm really happy with it. Just this past week I added 2 actinic ReefBrite lumi lights, they are amazing for colors and dont have that distracting shimmer the Kessil had.

 

[Rjukan]

Phone lag double post.

 

[madweazl]

If you like the look of a T5 lit tank, you'd be crazy to go a different route. T5s are proven performers that couldn't possibly be more set and forget. No brainer.

 

[basement reefer]

If you don't want to learn how to use LED light, go ahead and use T5.

You are arguing LED vs T5 when in reality it's diffuse light vs point source light from not using enough LED fixtures for the size of tank.

LED doesn't have to shimmer or disco. T5 is not cheap.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I’m old school and love my t5’s but I also like LED’s.. on my new 40 breeder build I’m running a 36” Aquatic life t5 hybrid with a single coralbox LED mounted in the center and I like the set up a lot. $480 total cost for fixture, bulbs and coralbox LED

 

[Hulley]

I honestly thought a number of people would hit me with. No control, it’s dying tech, no ramp up ramp down etc.

Maybe a few EcoTech rulez post. Call me dumbfounded [emoji848]

LOL! I went from T5s to Ecotechs!

 

[spsick]

I used a 6x24 dimmable Sunpower over my 40 until coral hit the glass on ever side. That being said, any other brand T5 fixture I would go 36”, with 4 bulbs likely being ok if you don’t want SPS. Pic for proof.

 

[ReefWithCare]

I used a 6x24 dimmable Sunpower over my 40 until coral hit the glass on ever side. That being said, any other brand T5 fixture I would go 36”, with 4 bulbs likely being ok if you don’t want SPS. Pic for proof.

Ya I agree if it's not a Giesman Matrix or ATI you have to go 36"

 

[Coralmaniac21]

Why is that what possibly do name brand fixtures have over this 70$ one on amazon ? I mean how much (better) can a reflector get then this ? A simple v shaped large spaced polished reflector is all you need... thats all the ati fixtures are... they just have a cover fan and buttons ? Brs did temperature and par readings using a grow ligjt fixture with mine and a ati fixture and it was no different espec8aply temperature.. the only reason ati has a fan is because its closed with a splash guard


If your 24 inch works with a 40b at that height. Then the cheap one i got should work as well. The reflectors are litterally exactly the same.

Here is mine this is what a ati fixture looks like and mine reflector wise.

No different.. only diff is the ati fixture is 1 or 2 inches short on the ends for thr (dark spots) that t5 bulbs have and for the fans to cool those points.. but BRS proved the points on a open fixture like mine are exactly the temperature they need to be for the highest par

 

[ReefWithCare]

Why is that what possibly do name brand fixtures have over this 70$ one on amazon ? I mean how much (better) can a reflector get then this ? A simple v shaped large spaced polished reflector is all you need... thats all the ati fixtures are... they just have a cover fan and buttons ? Brs did temperature and par readings using a grow ligjt fixture with mine and a ati fixture and it was no different espec8aply temperature.. the only reason ati has a fan is because its closed with a splash guard


If your 24 inch works with a 40b at that height. Then the cheap one i got should work as well. The reflectors are litterally exactly the same.

Here is mine this is what a ati fixture looks like and mine reflector wise.

No different.. only diff is the ati fixture is 1 or 2 inches short on the ends for thr (dark spots) that t5 bulbs have and for the fans to cool those points.. but BRS proved the points on a open fixture like mine are exactly the temperature they need to be for the highest par

It’s because the cheapo amazon lights are only available in 24” or 48”. If it was a cheapo light I would prefer a 36”

 

[DSC reef]

It’s because the cheapo amazon lights are only available in 24” or 48”. If it was a cheapo light I would prefer a 36”

I think you'll like T5, can't go wrong. ATI, has some good sales time to time I would post in their section. There is a huge difference in ATI versus Ebay or amazon fixtures. ATI can explain it much better but even the quality ballasts another reason.

 

[FishyDP]

It’s because the cheapo amazon lights are only available in 24” or 48”. If it was a cheapo light I would prefer a 36”

Cheapish 36" T5 fixture from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Odyssea-Time...ds=odyssea+t5&qid=1550402884&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Has reflectors, fans and built in timers.

 

[ReefWithCare]

Cheapish 36" T5 fixture from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Odyssea-Time...ds=odyssea+t5&qid=1550402884&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Has reflectors, fans and built in timers.

I’ve seen those. I’ve heard that the ballast aren’t that great and some folks say they may be fire hazards. Would rather get a wavepoint instead

 

[Dustin A.]

I run nothing but T5's. I bought one of those cheap six bulb fixtures and replaced the ballast with some from sylvania. I get decent par with the ATI bulbs at the bottom of the 24" tall tank. I don't think I can grow acros down there but euphyllia and zoas do just fine.

 

[ReefWithCare]

I just picked up a JBJ Trinity 36” used for $50 xD

 

[crusso1993]

I just picked up a JBJ Trinity 36” used for $50 xD

BOOM!

 

[SaracensRugby]

BRS did in investigative video on the lifespan of T5 bulbs. I am paraphrasing, but basically they found that the T5 bulbs did not degrade at the rate reefers thought, thereby did not need to be swapped out at the 10-12 month mark like so commonly done.

 

[CubsFan]

I have a 40 breeder. I’m running a 4x24 watt ati sunpower with a reebrite strip in blue. I use the the led strip for dawn dusk. It doesn’t have any shimmer when the t5s are on because the bulbs overpower the light strip. It’s cool to have the blue led. It makes the corals look crazy like t5s can’t.

 

[FishyDP]

BRS did in investigative video on the lifespan of T5 bulbs. I am paraphrasing, but basically they found that the T5 bulbs did not degrade at the rate reefers thought, thereby did not need to be swapped out at the 10-12 month mark like so commonly done.

Yes, that video is a big reason why I decided on T5s..I was hesitant at first because of bulb replacement cost, but BRS basically concluded that a T5 bulb lost something like 12-14% power over a year. Most of that loss was in the first few months, and after that slowed down significantly.