Budget T5 Fixture

[NanoReefs]

Hello everyone. After watching Tidal Garden's video about cheap hydrofarm agrobrite fixtures, I am considering buying the 2 foot 4 tube model, and replacing the bulbs with 2 coral plus, and 2 blue plus bulbs. This option will come out to less than 200 dollars. I will be hanging this fixture over a RSR 250 for an acro dominant system. What is your opinion on this budget T5 setup?

 

[NanoReefs]

Does anybody have this fixture?

 

[tehmadreefer]

Buy a retro kit.

 

[NanoReefs]

I would buy a retrofit kit, but the white-coated aluminum housing of the agrobrite fixture matches my tank stand.

 

[Mike konesky]

Highly doubt you can get the output you are looking for out of a 2ft 4 bulb. I own a bunch of agrobrite fixtures and the 2ft fixtures just don't pack a punch. I'd suggest a different route.

 

[Mike konesky]

I'd recommend searching for a used ati 2ft 6bulb at minimum. 8 bulb would be better.

 

[NanoReefs]

I think I might consider buying a used ati fixture.

 

[oreo54]

I think I might consider buying a used ati fixture.

White...

Agrobrite T5 192W 2' 8-Tube Fixture with Lamps

The Agrobrite T5 192W 2' 8-Tube grow light system delivers performance, flexibility, and high lumen output in any growing environment.

growace.com

24" wide.

21" wide 6 24" bulbs..

Maxlume 2', 6 Bulb T5 Fixture w/No Bulbs, ETL Listed - Savannah Hydroponics & Organics

T5 High Output fluorescent lighting is the wave of the future in indoor horticultural lighting. They put out very little heat (about 20%) as compared to a conventional H.I.D. light. The MaxLume T5 Flourescent Light Fixtures are energy efficient electronic ballasts ideal for wide light...

savannahhydro.com

 

[NanoReefs]

@oreo5457 Do you have this fixture and does it provide sufficient output?

 

[oreo54]

@oreo5457 Do you have this fixture and does it provide sufficient output?

See update for 6 tube.. no and no to owning either.
Going old school watts/ gallon not hard to guess..

 

[dedragon]

What size tank is this for? I wouldnt use the 8 bulb agrobrite because it is pretty huge and the light spill would be annoying in most tanks

 

[NanoReefs]

The tank is a red sea reefer 250. The dimensions are 35.5 long by 21 tall by 20 wide.

 

[NanoReefs]

It is 54 gallons.

 

[NanoReefs]

@dedragon I agree, I think the 8 bulb might be overkill.

 

[dedragon]

I vote 6 bulb t5 and a reefbrite or orphek led strip if youre doing sps coral they will love it. check this one out its cheap, but is current usa and has mounting legs

 

[NanoReefs]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[dedragon]

np i did the same thing a year ago I was lucky to find a giesemann matrixx ii with mounting legs for pretty cheap, those are nice fixtures too, good luck

 

[Acroporaguy]

If it was my tank I'd go with an ATI Sunpower fixture and reefbrites (if you want some LED pop). Acro growing machine of a light!

 

[NanoReefs]

I will consider buying a used ATI Sunpower fixture, as a new fixture is out of my budget.

 

[coralfishreef]

I bought something similar to that but I didn’t use it because the bulb sockets didn’t have water protection, and the steel? fixture was quite heavy.

Used retrofit fixtures or Hybrid T5 fixtures can sometimes be found for very little. Just make sure the reflectors are in decent condition because reflectors can be expensive.