looking into T5

[Redneckreef90]

I'm looking at changing over to t5 lights on my 90. Here is the question, I like the ATI dimmable system. Which one would yall go with the 36 or the 48 and which bulb size 4 or 6 on the 36, 6 or 8 on the 48? Also what bulbs and what way should I have them configured in the fixture.

 

[Reefer4Ever]

I run a 6 bulb T5 over my 90. 4 blue + coral + purple +

 

[Reefer4Ever]

Sps dominant with lps

 

[Redneckreef90]

I run a 6 bulb T5 over my 90. 4 blue + coral + purple +

Ok I will be only doing lps, clams and softies. Are you usIng a 36 or 48 inch fixture. Also would love to see a pic of the tank to see color.

 

[Bpb]

I use the non-dimmable ATI sunpower over my 90 gallon as well. 8x54 watt 48" fixture. I could have used the 6 bulb and hung it closer to the water and had comparable results, but I like the color combo options with 8 bulbs vs 6. And since mine is perched on top of a canopy, there is no wasted light due to spillage. The 8 bulb 48" is nearly the same footprint as the tank itself though so you'll want a canopy of sorts to capture that light from the outer bulbs.

If you're not using a canopy, you could probably get away with the 6 bulb 36" fixture and hang it 8" over the water and still get pretty decent coverage. I wouldn't do it for an sps dominant tank of course, but for your proposed stocking I think that should be perfectly adequate.

As far as a 6 bulb combo, having seen the new Giesemann bulbs, ATI bulbs and KZ bulbs, I'd recommend trying out 3 Giesemann actinic blur, one Giesemann super actinic, one Giesemann super purple, and one ATI coral+

 

[Redneckreef90]

I use the non-dimmable ATI sunpower over my 90 gallon as well. 8x54 watt 48" fixture. I could have used the 6 bulb and hung it closer to the water and had comparable results, but I like the color combo options with 8 bulbs vs 6. And since mine is perched on top of a canopy, there is no wasted light due to spillage. The 8 bulb 48" is nearly the same footprint as the tank itself though so you'll want a canopy of sorts to capture that light from the outer bulbs.

If you're not using a canopy, you could probably get away with the 6 bulb 36" fixture and hang it 8" over the water and still get pretty decent coverage. I wouldn't do it for an sps dominant tank of course, but for your proposed stocking I think that should be perfectly adequate.

As far as a 6 bulb combo, having seen the new Giesemann bulbs, ATI bulbs and KZ bulbs, I'd recommend trying out 3 Giesemann actinic blur, one Giesemann super actinic, one Giesemann super purple, and one ATI coral+

Yeah I think I like the 48 the best and most likely want be doing a canopy because the wIfe DOSENT like the look of a tall canopy. Now why did you go with the non dimmable over the dimmable. I like the function of a dimmable fixture that way I don't have to worry about cutting it on. Me and the wife both work till after 5 and the functionality of a dimmable fixture is nice. Also I like the way my led ramp up and ramp down

 

[Bpb]

I went with the non-dimmable deliberately because the lion's share of ATI fixture failures and complaints I read about are specifically with the dimmable sunpowers. Rarely do I hear non-dimmable units having failed ballasts, nor the powermodules. Could be coincidence but it's been enough for me and others to take notice.

Dimmable isn't too important to me. I have used everything from fully apex controlled and ramped LEDs, to just pure MH alone and the ramping feature is not one that appeals to me. I have my favorite overall look and I would rather see that all day rather than a constantly fluctuating light color and intensity. I don't manually mess with my lights. They're staged on timers. Two bulbs are on automatically at 10am, then the remaining 6 come on at noon, and they stage back down at 8pm and 10pm for a 12 hour total viewing period with 8 hour full intensity. This is less of me settling on something and more of me actually preferring this. Ideally I'd have full intensity the whole time but that would be detrimental

 

[Redneckreef90]

I went with the non-dimmable deliberately because the lion's share of ATI fixture failures and complaints I read about are specifically with the dimmable sunpowers. Rarely do I hear non-dimmable units having failed ballasts, nor the powermodules. Could be coincidence but it's been enough for me and others to take notice.

Dimmable isn't too important to me. I have used everything from fully apex controlled and ramped LEDs, to just pure MH alone and the ramping feature is not one that appeals to me. I have my favorite overall look and I would rather see that all day rather than a constantly fluctuating light color and intensity. I don't manually mess with my lights. They're staged on timers. Two bulbs are on automatically at 10am, then the remaining 6 come on at noon, and they stage back down at 8pm and 10pm for a 12 hour total viewing period with 8 hour full intensity. This is less of me settling on something and more of me actually preferring this. Ideally I'd have full intensity the whole time but that would be detrimental

ok thanks for the info. So I should be fine with a 48" 6 bulb fixture. What order would you lay out the bulbs that you suggested in the fixture.

 

[Bpb]

That would depend how the 6 bulb fixture does its channels. I like having one actinic one blue as the dawn dusk.

 

[Redneckreef90]

So order in the fixture is not real important but what comes on first is?

 

[Bpb]

I wouldnt say it's not important. I just know the ATI has its ballast wired to where two bulbs are on one channel, and the rest are on another. The two
Bulb channel I would make sure that the actinic and blue bulb are on, and space the rest out accordingly however you like. I am a fan of kind of spacing blue and non-blue bulbs evenly rather than having multiple white bulbs in a row

 

[Reefer4Ever]

Ok I will be only doing lps, clams and softies. Are you usIng a 36 or 48 inch fixture. Also would love to see a pic of the tank to see color.