How big should I get t5 ATI???

nelson.jdautobody · Jul 18, 2015

Hello fellow reefers. I currently have a 66gAllon 32x24x20 and have it lit with a radion gen3pro and supplementing with 4 t5 bulbs (2 on each side of the radion). I have just been unimpressed with my radion and maybe it's just because I can't seem to dial it in for my tank for some reason as I have seen plenty of beautiful tanks with radions on them. So I'm ready to just go with all t5 lighting like the ATI 24" 6 bulb HO T5 or possibly the 8 bulb version of the same thing. I figured I would supplement that with a strip or two of the reefbrights that's everyone seems to like for blue pop. What's everyone's opinion on wether I should go 6 bulb or 8 bulb? And how high should I have it from the water?? Not sure if the 8 bulb would be overkill or if the 6 bulb just won't have the "width" to cover front to back (I know it won't cover full side to side but I want some low light zones). Thanks

Usctom · Jul 18, 2015

The 6bulb should be more then enough to grow pretty much anything. Especially if you add a reefbrite strip. I have a 6bulb with blue led over my 120 with lots of sps. I keep it about 10 inches over the water line.

nelson.jdautobody · Jul 18, 2015

Usctom said:
The 6bulb should be more then enough to grow pretty much anything. Especially if you add a reefbrite strip. I have a 6bulb with blue led over my 120 with lots of sps. I keep it about 10 inches over the water line.

Thanks. I was just curious if the width of the ATI 6 bulb would be adequate coverage on a 24" wide tank-never ran just t5 so wasn't sure what the light cast would be and just didn't want to under do it since the 8 bulb is only an extra $65 and at the same time I don't need to go way overboard (is there such a thing-lol)

nelson.jdautobody · Jul 18, 2015

Would you suggest the dimmable one ATI has now of go with the non dim able since will be running the reefbrights?

Stephanie11 · Jul 18, 2015

6 is fine. Think of It this way. You don't have 24" of coral at the top of the tank. Light spreads on these fixtures in a cone shape down. You will cover the sand bed fine.