From LED to T5

[kiMxD]

Hello all,

I am posting this looking for some tips and advice on how to switch from LED to T5.
I am looking to start using T5’s but I have no clue whatsoever on:
1) what fixture to get and where?
2) what size of fixture should I get and where?
3) what bulbs and brand are recommended?
4) placement of the light above the tank?
5) what is the most cost-efficient fixture and light in your opinion?


I would really appreciate any help on this.

My tank info is: 120g 6ftx18(front to back)x21 height.

My budget is limited, so cheaper options are very welcome.

Thank you all!

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

You can't go wrong with ATI for the fixture. I've had great luck with them in the past. They aren't cheap though. You could look at the aquatic life hybrid and incorporate your LEDs into it as well. Depending on what you stock, you'll probably want a 60" light. ATI bulbs. Depending on how many bulb fixture you get, ATI also recommends bulb mixes. Example, six bulb config would be 4 blue plus, a coral plus and a purple plus. (that's what I ran). These are typically 8-10" above your water level.

 

[Dom]

Hello all,

I am posting this looking for some tips and advice on how to switch from LED to T5.
I am looking to start using T5’s but I have no clue whatsoever on:
1) what fixture to get and where?
2) what size of fixture should I get and where?
3) what bulbs and brand are recommended?
4) placement of the light above the tank?
5) what is the most cost-efficient fixture and light in your opinion?


I would really appreciate any help on this.

My tank info is: 120g 6ftx18(front to back)x21 height.

My budget is limited, so cheaper options are very welcome.

Thank you all!

The fixture you choose will be based on the research you do. You are talking about a tank that is 6 feet across, so, I doubt that you will be able to find anything on a limited budget. A quick search on a pair of 36 inch T5 lights shows that you should expect to pay between $400-600 per light. So this is very roughly a $1000 - $1500 upgrade.

We need more information from you... for example: what do you keep in your tank?

In general, the light spread to should be to all 4 corners of your tank and provide 8000 - 10000 lumen at the deepest part of the tank. This is the number range I target.

 

[kiMxD]

I am keeping fish only at this moment. This tank is fairly new and I am looking for the best cost efficient solution to start adding sps.

 

[kiMxD]

I’d say my budget is around 800$ total.

 

[JoshKReef]

Do you have a canopy, or is it just hanging over the tank?

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

I’d say my budget is around 800$ total.

What do you have for LEDs currently?

 

[kiMxD]

Do you have a canopy, or is it just hanging over the tank?

Just hanging. I can build a canopy if necessary. Pretty handy with woodwork.

 

[kiMxD]

What do you have for LEDs currently?

I am using two AÍ Primes HD only to light up my tank, as I said, I have fish only at this moment and I am looking for the best solution to start adding SPS and LPS.

 

[kiMxD]

What do you have for LEDs currently?

I also use a 300w VIPARSPECTRA on my 4ft 120g. Also not very thrilled with it. Will probably change to something else after I figure my 6ft.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

Look up the aquatic life t5/led combo.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/60-h...re-with-led-mounting-system-aquatic-life.html

 

[kiMxD]

S

Look up the aquatic life t5/led combo.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/60-h...re-with-led-mounting-system-aquatic-life.html

Do you think that the 4 T5’s plus my AÍ Primes should be enough for sps?

 

[JoshKReef]

S
Do you think that the 4 T5’s plus my AÍ Primes should be enough for sps?

I think you would need to add more Hydras, but the T5's should be enough.

Building a canopy and using cheap amazon fixtures or a retrofit fixture will be your best bet. ATI looks nice, but is expensive, and I'm not sure how that would work over a 6 foot tank, maybe 2 - 36 inch? You may be able to get away with 2 - 24 inch fixtures as well.

For the ATI route, 2 - 36 inch would be 922-1122, depending if you want dimmable. Then you need 8 bulbs.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/36-ati-sunpower-high-output-t5-light-fixture.html
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ati-36-t5-dimmable-sunpower-fixture.html

EDIT: ATI does make a 60 inch, but I'm not sure how it would do over a 6 foot tank. It is a 6 bulb fixture. They rate the 6 bulb for a 120-240 size tank, and the 8 bulb for a 160-320 size tank. 6 bulb is 13.4 inches wide, 8 bulb is 17.5 inches wide. You'd be at 605 - 791 without bulbs. Needing 150 - 200 more for bulbs.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/60-ati-sunpower-high-output-t5-light-fixture.html


If you built a canopy, you could use 2 - 36 inch retro fixtures. You'd be looking at 472 + 8 bulbs. For bulbs alone, if needing 8, you are looking at around 22 bucks a pop ($176 total in bulbs). You'd be at $648 total, that'd give you $152 to make a canopy.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/supra-quad-t5-retrofit-fixture-reef-brite.html

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

You can get a 60" ATI for $600-$800 before bulbs.

 

[JoshKReef]

I edited my above post to include that, missed it.

The 60 inch is not dimmable, if you're looking for that.

 

[kiMxD]

I edited my above post to include that, missed it.

The 60 inch is not dimmable, if you're looking for that.

I like the idea of using two 36inch fixtures. What bulbs do you recommend? How often should I change them? Thanks for putting the links together, really appreciate that!

 

[kiMxD]

What you guys think of this fixture:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sun-blaze-t5-ho-lighting-fixture-sunlight-supply.html

I was thinking maybe three of these (4bulb version)? That would be around $300 for the fixtures plus bulbs.

 

[kiMxD]

You can get a 60" ATI for $600-$800 before bulbs.

Thank you sir. Looking at it now.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

I wouldn't skimp on lighting for sps.

 

[Breadman03]

If you don't mind making a canopy of some sort, a pair of these could be a good option.

https://hamiltontechnology.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=17_82_84&product_id=84