Few Ati t5 question

[Marine430]

Hello I have a 40gal breeder with mostly soft coral. I was wondering if a 36 inch dimmable ati fixture with 6 bulbs would be over kill?
Also is there any other mounting options other than from the ceiling? I rent in a condo and don't want to drill into the ceiling.
Thanks

 

[yanetterer]

Overkill for softies, yes, but it would also leave plenty of spare power if you want to add more light demanding creatures. A 4 bulb would likely be sufficient, even if you started adding LPS. However, if you end up with the 6 bulb you could simply leave 2 bulbs off at all times and only run 4 of them. If you have spare cash burning a hole in your pocket and want to experiment, you could use the 2 spare slots to run a different bulb combo and alternate throughout the day.

As for mounting, I can't recall seeing any tank mounting legs when I had been looking at different fixtures. Those unfortunately seem to have gone away. I think there was a recent Geisseman fixture that had the option. Aquatic Life does have some mounting arms that attach to the back of the stand that allow you to use a hanging kit. I picked up a couple of them for my T5/LED hybrid upgrade, but I haven't gotten around to installing so I can't yet comment on their quality. Others have crafted up similar DIY setups with PVC, conduit, or other materials.

 

[Marine430]

Overkill for softies, yes, but it would also leave plenty of spare power if you want to add more light demanding creatures. A 4 bulb would likely be sufficient, even if you started adding LPS. However, if you end up with the 6 bulb you could simply leave 2 bulbs off at all times and only run 4 of them. If you have spare cash burning a hole in your pocket and want to experiment, you could use the 2 spare slots to run a different bulb combo and alternate throughout the day.

As for mounting, I can't recall seeing any tank mounting legs when I had been looking at different fixtures. Those unfortunately seem to have gone away. I think there was a recent Geisseman fixture that had the option. Aquatic Life does have some mounting arms that attach to the back of the stand that allow you to use a hanging kit. I picked up a couple of them for my T5/LED hybrid upgrade, but I haven't gotten around to installing so I can't yet comment on their quality. Others have crafted up similar DIY setups with PVC, conduit, or other materials.

I was looking at the aquatic life hybrid fixtures but having a hard time trying to figure out what led to add to it? My lfs does use this fixture but only seems to use the led... never really talked to them about it either.

 

[A. grandis]

Hello I have a 40gal breeder with mostly soft coral. I was wondering if a 36 inch dimmable ati fixture with 6 bulbs would be over kill?
Also is there any other mounting options other than from the ceiling? I rent in a condo and don't want to drill into the ceiling.
Thanks

Get the 6 bulb ATI non dimmable Sunpower and you will have one of the best fixtures in existence for that 40 breeder! It is 13.4" wide, so it will be great for the 18" wide tank!!!!!!
Do not think that would be overkill to any type of coral!

You could simply put some piece of wood to hold the fixture over your system. It's that easy!!

 

[LOVEROCK]

I have a 8 bulb 48 and 2 ophrek bars on my 60 frag 48 , 24 . 12 high perfect for growing sps

 

[nereefpat]

I would get a 6 bulb non dimmable. Most (all?) 6 bulb fixtures will have separate channels, 2 bulb + 4 bulb. So you can run 4 bulbs if only keeping softies with the option of 6 when you get into SPS.

 

[legacy2mj]

I would get a 6 bulb non dimmable. Most (all?) 6 bulb fixtures will have separate channels, 2 bulb + 4 bulb. So you can run 4 bulbs if only keeping softies with the option of 6 when you get into SPS.

I’m currently looking to get this T5 fixture. For a 120 gal display, 42” in length and 22” wide, would the 8 bulb be overkill? It looks like the fixture is 17” wide, which seems like it would be ok… but I don’t know.
I’m wanting to switch from my 2 Kessil AP9x, I have a heavy SPS tank and the APs are way too spot lightish. Tons of shadowing. And rather then try to piece together a hybrid solution. I was just going to go full T5, but need advice/guidance

 

[nereefpat]

I’m currently looking to get this T5 fixture. For a 120 gal display, 42” in length and 22” wide, would the 8 bulb be overkill? It looks like the fixture is 17” wide, which seems like it would be ok… but I don’t know.
I’m wanting to switch from my 2 Kessil AP9x, I have a heavy SPS tank and the APs are way too spot lightish. Tons of shadowing. And rather then try to piece together a hybrid solution. I was just going to go full T5, but need advice/guidance

For the 2 foot wide 120, if you want sticks everywhere, I don't think it's overkill, no. You might be happy with just 6 bulbs, but it seems like to me corals can take a lot of T5 light.

You'll be very happy with the lack of shadows.

 

[X-37B]

If you were in cental ca you could have my giesamann 6 bulb unit, I wont ship.
You can run 2,4,6 bulbs in it.
It will grow anything you want.
I had my ati 6 bulb over my 120 and it was 4" off the water.
The giesamamn was hung from the ceiling. You could rest it on wood like above recommended.

 

[johnreef]

if its dimmable 3 feet atithat will be ok for 40 breeder with softys, softy doesn't need much light as you can dimm the light down to what they fell confirtable. some 90 degree tank mouting on amazon will works for your situation,just need a little hand work to covert it the perfet suit for your system

 

[legacy2mj]

For the 2 foot wide 120, if you want sticks everywhere, I don't think it's overkill, no. You might be happy with just 6 bulbs, but it seems like to me corals can take a lot of T5 light.

You'll be very happy with the lack of shadows.

Thank you! Talking with another person about this I have taken a step back and realized that I would miss the visual effect I get from the LEDs, with the color and pop you get out of the deep blue spectrum. The growth and coverage of the T5 bulbs is still very much an appeal, but I think I want to have the best of both worlds and mash up a hybrid solution. I just feel like I would kick myself eliminating LEDs all together.
I know some folks also get around this by adding some Xho bars on each end of the light fixture. Which, is a doable option.

 

[nereefpat]

Thank you! Talking with another person about this I have taken a step back and realized that I would miss the visual effect I get from the LEDs, with the color and pop you get out of the deep blue spectrum. The growth and coverage of the T5 bulbs is still very much an appeal, but I think I want to have the best of both worlds and mash up a hybrid solution. I just feel like I would kick myself eliminating LEDs all together.
I know some folks also get around this by adding some Xho bars on each end of the light fixture. Which, is a doable option.

Yep. Lots of options, and people have their preferences.

I would say that "color and pop" can be just as good, if not better, with T5s. What you are missing with T5 is shimmer, which is the trade off for lack of shadows/shading.

If you are in Lone Tree, I'm sure you have been in Aquatic Art. Pick their brains.

 

[legacy2mj]

Castle rock, but yes, I pick the wonderful mind of Cris quite often. Great shop