I will be setting up a new 5 foot reef, and feel that the Hybrid T5 LED combo will work best for me. I see new to the market are some that have this fixture already to go plug and play out of the box. Some have dimmable T5 capability, but most don't. It feels like this may be the newest thing manufactures may start producing. 2 Questions, Does anyone know if this type of light already exist ? Also do I need to get 61 inch light or will a 48 inch fixture spread enough to cover the edges? Thanks I'm new to Reef2Reef looking forward to many years of sharing and receiving reeformation!!1
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- Thread starter weezeoh
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AllSignsPointToFish
"No Longer The Guy Without FaceBook"
Welcome! I think the 48" would work fine for your tank. The 48" bulbs are far more common than the 60" bulbs, so you could get a replacement in a pinch. You could also get DIY 48" T5 kits and stagger the 48" bulbs to cover the full tank length. Can't help you on the dimming, though. My 60" T5s are not dimmable.
dank reefer
IG: dankreefer_IG
Welcome to R2R.
I currently use a Hybrid fixture with my HydraHD. Its the 4ft aquatic life hybrid non-dimmable with 3 hydras over my 4ft tank and it looks great, and grows corals great. I went with this setup cause I already had the hydras, and you're able to switch out the leds lights if you end up upgrading or replacing.
I don't really need the dimming option since my LEDS ramp up first, then the T5 turn on when my LEDS peak and run for the duration until its time for the leds to ramp down.
I currently use a Hybrid fixture with my HydraHD. Its the 4ft aquatic life hybrid non-dimmable with 3 hydras over my 4ft tank and it looks great, and grows corals great. I went with this setup cause I already had the hydras, and you're able to switch out the leds lights if you end up upgrading or replacing.
I don't really need the dimming option since my LEDS ramp up first, then the T5 turn on when my LEDS peak and run for the duration until its time for the leds to ramp down.
So, not positive on this, but I thought I heard somewhere that 60" t5s shouldnt/cant be dimmed and 48s can.
Ok now to what I'm actually sure about! If you're doing LEDs already, I'd say forget about dimming t5s. It is harder on the ballast and the bulbs. Ease up the LEDs, then just turn on the t5s to do the heavy lifting throughout the day!
I have a 6 ft tank that I'm putting the 5' fixture over. One thought with the 48 for you is how much coral are you expecting to put in the top outside 6" of the tank? I'd guess not a whole lot. That said, if I were in your shoes, I'd likely go with the 61 for full coverage and more t5 wattage. No shadowing others edges that way, too
Ok now to what I'm actually sure about! If you're doing LEDs already, I'd say forget about dimming t5s. It is harder on the ballast and the bulbs. Ease up the LEDs, then just turn on the t5s to do the heavy lifting throughout the day!
I have a 6 ft tank that I'm putting the 5' fixture over. One thought with the 48 for you is how much coral are you expecting to put in the top outside 6" of the tank? I'd guess not a whole lot. That said, if I were in your shoes, I'd likely go with the 61 for full coverage and more t5 wattage. No shadowing others edges that way, too
