Joining the hybrid club!

[RJ F.]

I just bought the ATI 36" t5 hybrid system. I currently use a viparspectra 300w led stand alone. I have noticed great growth in my corals so far however they seem a little dull. I talked to a few reefing buddies and we cam to the conclusion that the viparspectra was powerful but, didnt have the full proper spectrum. I will be using 2 ati blue plus, 1 purple plus, 1 true atinic. The 2 blues on the outside and the purple and atinic on the inside. I will dial back the led as well. I think this will give an awesome look, better spectrum and when I can afford it an awesome upgrade to better led. I'll keep everyone posted of the progress. I dont have the fixture yet. I also have to do some small modifications to get it to accept the viparspectra. I dont think anything that will alter it too bad. I'm very excited to see the results of this new project.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I just bought the ATI 36" t5 hybrid system. I currently use a viparspectra 300w led stand alone. I have noticed great growth in my corals so far however they seem a little dull. I talked to a few reefing buddies and we cam to the conclusion that the viparspectra was powerful but, didnt have the full proper spectrum. I will be using 2 ati blue plus, 1 purple plus, 1 true atinic. The 2 blues on the outside and the purple and atinic on the inside. I will dial back the led as well. I think this will give an awesome look, better spectrum and when I can afford it an awesome upgrade to better led. I'll keep everyone posted of the progress. I dont have the fixture yet. I also have to do some small modifications to get it to accept the viparspectra. I dont think anything that will alter it too bad. I'm very excited to see the results of this new project.

Congrats! I really love my fixture, and my corals do too

 

[RJ F.]

What fixture do you have crabs? Also what bulbs are you using?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I have the Aquatic Life 48" fixture and i'm currently running 4 ATI Blue+ bulbs. I let my two Hydra 26's take care of the rest of the spectrum

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Also, congrats

I picked up the 61 fixture a while back. I was running 2 coral plus, blue plus and purple. I also put my AI 52 hd’s Into it. The 2 coral plus were a bit white so I settled on blue, coral, actinic and purple. Redoing my tank so don’t have any corals to tell you how color is, but I like the look.

 

[blasterman]

Please define "better spectrum".

 

[RJ F.]

According to ati the bulbs I will be supplementing with provide a proven spectrum for coral growth and coloration. My led are just cheap amd while they reach the major points of the spectrum I'm just getting alot of color wash

 

[tqpolo]

What ATI fixture is this?

 

[RJ F.]

The 36" t5ho/led hybrid.

 

[RJ F.]

You have to supply your own led

 

[Jettareefer223]

I run a 36” six bulb ATI Sunpower w/ sb reef led bar 10” off the water surface.

Bulb combo (front to back)
Led bar
Blue plus
Blue plus
Coral plus
Actinic
Blue plus
Blue plus

 

[tqpolo]

The 36" t5ho/led hybrid.

You’re talking about the Aquatic Life fixture? ATI doesn’t make such fixture.

 

[dwest]

I have the Aquatic Life 48" fixture and i'm currently running 4 ATI Blue+ bulbs. I let my two Hydra 26's take care of the rest of the spectrum

I thought you went halide on us?

 

[RJ F.]

You’re talking about the Aquatic Life fixture? ATI doesn’t make such fixture.

Correct. The bulbs I'm using are ATI. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I thought you went halide on us?

On the 40 breeder I ran halide. The 75 i went with led t5

 

[RJ F.]

So quick update. I received the fixture today. I have mapped out how to attach my viparspectra to the aquatic life fixture. Its actually not too bad plus I think it will look great. I will post a small build thread to cover everything I did. I'm going to have to disassemble the viparspectra so we will see how it goes

 

[CindyKz]

I also just bought the Aquatic Life T5/LED hybrid, using Kessil A360WEs. How does everyone combine the t5 and LED - for example, run the LED most of the day with a shorter time period (4-6 hours) for the T5s, or run them all pretty much together? Mine will be mixed reef with only hardier SPS at the very top.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I also just bought the Aquatic Life T5/LED hybrid, using Kessil A360WEs. How does everyone combine the t5 and LED - for example, run the LED most of the day with a shorter time period (4-6 hours) for the T5s, or run them all pretty much together? Mine will be mixed reef with only hardier SPS at the very top.

I have the leds do the ramp up and ramp down and the t5s kick on for peak period. So my leds turn on and ramp up for an hour, then the t5s come on and stay on with the leds for 8 hours, and then the leds ramp down to off for an hour.

 

[RJ F.]

Ok so I went a less invasive route hence I wont post a build thread. 3M makes a super strong double sided tape. It worked out perfect because the viparspectra over hung the original aquatic life spacing by 5/8 inch. I cut the double sided tape down the middle and then just centered it and held her down. I have the aquatic life fixture supporting the weight so I'm not worried about it. The tape just .makes sure if I bump it or it gets moved some how that the led wont fall off. Just for testing I did pick it up by the viparspectra so the tape was holding the aquatic life fixture and it seemed pretty solid. The tape is black so everything looks seamless. I must say I'm happy with the results. Bonus is the viparspectra warranty is still intact because I didnt have to open it up. I'm interested to see if the viparspectra cooling fans assist with cooling the t5 as well. I doubt it but we shall see. ATI bulbs are due in monday so i will post more pics then!! So excited.

 

[RJ F.]

Ok so I lied. One last pic for now to show how seamless the mating is between the 2 fixtures