How to Supplement AP700 with T5?

Todd31 · Feb 1, 2017

Has anyone seen or have a setup where they supplemented an AP700 with T5's NOT in a canopy?

I can't picture it looking neat, but just curious if anyone has come up with something that looks OK.

Thanks!

gus6464 · Feb 1, 2017

Todd31 said:
Has anyone seen or have a setup where they supplemented an AP700 with T5's NOT in a canopy?

I can't picture it looking neat, but just curious if anyone has come up with something that looks OK.

Thanks!

That's kind of impossible if you don't want it to look like dirt. If you want clean you going to need that canopy.

mcarroll · Feb 1, 2017

I hate to ask, but why would you do that? You have what might be the best spotlight system on the market.

If the spotlight "look" is the issue, maybe consider just switching to comparable strip LED's that put off light more like fluorescent?

(Strip/bar vendors: GHL, Current, etc....)

Todd31 · Feb 1, 2017

I think at this point im OK but it seems that if you're lucky enough to grow larger SPS colonies you will eventually have significant shadowing. I just have one fixture over a 4 ft tank.

mcarroll · Feb 1, 2017

It's tough to light a tank with one spotlight and it's tough to flow a tank with one powerhead.

And at 48" you're kinda at the limits even for what Kessil recommends for that light.

But if you're OK for now (a light meter will help you to know for sure, lux or PAR – don't guess!), later on if you do end up with "issues" I'd look at supplementing with an additional A360W.

Switching to three A360W's wold be a similar strategy if you'd be worries about the asymmetric look over the tank...but they'll all blend well together no matter what combo.

If you really feel more drawn to adding T5's then I'd suggest maybe swapping the Kessils for some comparable LED strips.

Strips, or "bars", will put out light that is a lot more like T5 than the spotlights you have now. GHL, Current, Hamilton Technology, and several others make good strips.

And I know you were half kidding about being "lucky enough", but just to throw it out there:

Big colonies take patience an planning. Luck, even when you get it, always runs out! If you take your time and do it right, you really won't have problems.

Mandrew · Feb 1, 2017

If I were trying this I would probably get 2 two bulb fixtures and hang one in front and one behind the AP700. Since everyone else is trying to talk you out of it instead of creating ways to make it happen.

IronVulture · Feb 1, 2017

I put the same light on my tank but I opted to build a canopy. Before I settled on the canopy my plan was to take an 8 bulb ati fixture and gut the 4 center bulbs to mount the ap700. I chose not to do this #1 because of the heat, I would really have to cut a huge hole in the top of the ati fixture, I wasn't sure how the hole would affect the ati cooling fans. #2 after cutting and stripping the ati fixture the warranty is out the window.

Yep that's a second ap700 on my frag tank [emoji4]

Makers Marc · Apr 23, 2019

Has anyone come up with any unique, non canopy methods?

I have 2 over a 180g, and have no experience with t5s. But was wondering if it would help shading if I attached a single 36' t5 bulb to the back of each Ap700 unit, which is mounted with the arms.

Plus, if I had to choose a single t5 bulb color to use for overall coverage, what kind would I choose?

DangerDave · Apr 23, 2019

How about hanging one of the available hybrid fixtures?

Makers Marc · Apr 23, 2019

DangerDave said:
How about hanging one of the available hybrid fixtures?

Already have my lighting setup the way I want it. I really don't need to add anything for a while since I'm still stocking up on corals.

I'm more brainstorming so if/when something pops up used for sale, I can pounce . Im more thinking of either adding another used a360we in the middle of my 2xap700s, or if there's a sleek way to incorporate a few t5s ill consider.

Heres my Par chart

JLuca · Apr 23, 2019

What you’re looking for is the AquaticLife T5 Hybrid. I’m running this fixture with 2 AP700’s no canopy and couldn’t be happier

DangerDave · Apr 23, 2019

I’m hanging two AP700s between 4 T5s using the aquatic life hybrid fixture. Easy, works great.

USMC 4 LIFE · Apr 23, 2019

I found a pair of old aquatic light fixtures and gutted them apart. Wired the light so the ballasts sit on the floor instead of on top of the light. Simple and cheap $50 for both fixtures and $100 for the bulbs.