ATI with Reefbrite

spartanman22 · Nov 18, 2015

I'm looking to do a 48" 8×54 watt dimmable Sunpower for an 80 gallon Deep Blue SPS dominant build. I've never run full T5 and am considering it for this setup. A lot of the best SPS tanks I've seen seem to be T5 lit. So, I'd like to give it a try myself. If I wanted to run reefbrites on the ATI is it recommended to use the XHOs? I'm really just looking to add some actinic pop. I want what's going to be best auited, but the XHOs are considerably more expensive. Especially if I'm looking at 2 of them.

Sabellafella · Nov 19, 2015

Im acually screwing in 2 tech blues into an 8 bulb 48 inch rite now lol, i mean if ur going wit vho then go with reefbrite only

BNUTTHEHUT · Nov 19, 2015

Those XHOs are super brite. They have really good coverage. I would start with 1 XHO with the dimmer for the Apex or 1 tech no dimmer. Two XHOs or 2 techs would be to much. IMO

ThePriceSeliger · Nov 19, 2015

I am running the same setup, except I have one BuildMyLED light. I think it's a perfect combination, I'd like to add a second on the back side of the fixture but they are pretty pricey.

spartanman22 · Nov 19, 2015

Ok I'll look into starting with just one reefbrite xho and see how that goes. Is there a noticeable difference between the Tech and XHO? I had the reefbrite halide pendant with the XHOs and they were very nice, but I've never seen a tech before

d_adler · Nov 19, 2015

I have 1 tech on the front of my 4 bulb 36" and what I've realized is it really gets drowned out by the t5s when they are on full blast. I don't know if adding one to the back would change this but just as a supplemental sunrise and night light the 1 tech is more than enough for my needs and it doesn't break the bank

aabjones888 · Nov 19, 2015

The XHOs are way brighter. I have both. For only a roughly 1/3 more in price I'd rather just have the XHOs. Instead of wishin later that u would of just spent a little more for a lot better of a light. IMO

ThePriceSeliger · Nov 19, 2015

d_adler said:
I have 1 tech on the front of my 4 bulb 36" and what I've realized is it really gets drowned out by the t5s when they are on full blast. I don't know if adding one to the back would change this but just as a supplemental sunrise and night light the 1 tech is more than enough for my needs and it doesn't break the bank

Yeah, I had the same issue. During the day time, even if the LED is on, it's drowned out by my T5. But my sunrise and sunset are my real viewing hours and the LED makes a world of difference.

ngvu1 · Nov 19, 2015

How do we dim the reefBrite with Apex?

BNUTTHEHUT said:
Those XHOs are super brite. They have really good coverage. I would start with 1 XHO with the dimmer for the Apex or 1 tech no dimmer. Two XHOs or 2 techs would be to much. IMO

ThePriceSeliger · Nov 19, 2015

ngvu1 said:
How do we dim the reefBrite with Apex?

If you have an Apex, you can get a controller cable, which is basically a 3.5mm audio jack to a Cat5 connection that will go into your Apex base unit in the V1/V2 or V3/V4, which are your variable speed controls. Then you can use Fusion to make graphs of light intensity. Plug and Play.

ngvu1 · Nov 19, 2015

Thanks for responding.

The ReefBrite's end is my question. Where do I plug the 3.5mm connector to? Kessil 160, 360 I understand, but there is no hole on the reefBrite......

; Ah, do I need a dimmer for the reefBrite first?

ThePriceSeliger said:
If you have an Apex, you can get a controller cable, which is basically a 3.5mm audio jack to a Cat5 connection that will go into your Apex base unit in the V1/V2 or V3/V4, which are your variable speed controls. Then you can use Fusion to make graphs of light intensity. Plug and Play.

ngvu1 · Nov 19, 2015

I use this on my new tank. 1 is actinic and 1 if blue and white. I plan to do the sun set sun rise affect. LED1 - > LED 2 -> 2 T5 -> 4 T5 (LED off) -> 6 T5 (LED off) -> 4 T5 -> 2 T4 with 2 LEDs -> LED1 only -> off

ThePriceSeliger · Nov 19, 2015

ngvu1 said:
Thanks for responding.

The ReefBrite's end is my question. Where do I plug the 3.5mm connector to? Kessil 160, 360 I understand, but there is no hole on the reefBrite......; Ah, do I need a dimmer for the reefBrite first?

I apologize, I just assumed from a previous post that the ReefBrite was Apex compatible. After looking at their website quickly, it doesn't seem that it is compatible, and your options running it on an Apex EB8 as a timer, a normal timer strip, and/or the inline dimmer.

spartanman22 · Nov 19, 2015

Are the XHOs all black? It'd be nice if they matched the ATI.

Thanks all for the help. I think I'll give the ATI 8×54 dimmable sunpower with 1 xho (to start) a try. I'm still a bit nervous since I've never run T5, it's always been MH/T5, MH/LED, or LED, but all the nicest SPS tanks seem to be T5 driven.

BNUTTHEHUT · Nov 19, 2015

ThePriceSeliger said:
I apologize, I just assumed from a previous post that the ReefBrite was Apex compatible. After looking at their website quickly, it doesn't seem that it is compatible, and your options running it on an Apex EB8 as a timer, a normal timer strip, and/or the inline dimmer.

Reef brite does make a dimmer for there lights. It is not listed on there site but they do make one. If you call them they can explain the options, it is apex compatible. The dimmers a little over a $100. Reef brite makes retrofit T5s with an led attachment. WWC uses them so does cherry.

xmas_one · Nov 19, 2015

I just bought and sold a XHO. My take on it is it's not a lot of light for a lot of money. They are three watt LEDs, but they are under driven. Even just four T5s almost completely drowns them out.

ngvu1 · Nov 19, 2015

I hear build my LED is better than reefBrite...they are not cheap either

spartanman22 · Nov 19, 2015

For those of you running the ATI with a reefbrite, what bulb combo should I go with on an 8 bulb fixture to get something similar to a radium look?

Topside Reef · Nov 19, 2015

This is my old 80gal deep blue tank that was lit with a six bulb power module and two reefbrites. It's was more than enough light even with the fixture around 18 inches over the tank par was from 350-500+. I ran two coral+ and four blue+. I liked it so much I'm setting up a new system with the same setup. All coral in the pic started as frags.

frogman_reefer · Nov 19, 2015

Topside Reef said:
This is my old 80gal deep blue tank that was lit with a six bulb power module and two reefbrites. It's was more than enough light even with the fixture around 18 inches over the tank par was from 350-500+. I ran two coral+ and four blue+. I liked it so much I'm setting up a new system with the same setup. All coral in the pic started as frags.

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