need help choosing t5 lights

[kyla bidwell]

Hello! Im making the switch from mh to t5 and/or led. I would like to have both a t5 combo and a kessil a350. I have to pick one to get first, and add the other in a couple of months when I can afford it. The kessil a350 is on Amazon right now for $240. Im tempted to go ahead and get it, but ive been told that t5 will grow my sps better. So im not sure if I should get t5 first or what. In any event, I have about $250 to spend right now. So im wanting help deciding what t5 fixture to get, if a 2 bulb fixture would be ok or if I need a 4 bulb. What bulb combo is best. And if I should get t5 first or go ahead and get the kessil. I have a mixed reef. About half of my coral is sps. I plan on making it sps dominate soon. My sps includes
all different kinds of monti
several acros
Rainbow millepora
Lepto
Hydrnaphona
Pacillapora
Digitata
War coral

And I also have lots of lps and a few softies. My main concern is my sps though.

My tank is
37in long
21in high (ceiling to floor)
13in deep (side view from left to right)
And is a 46 gallon bowfront.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[kacrocorals581]

I have kessil and t5 tank plumbed together over 95% sps . the growth is so close I couldn't tell you witch one grows faster, so whoever told you kessil can't grow sps probably never had one for one. or two they set it on top of there tank turned it up to 100% intensity and 75% color right off the bat, shocked everything and instead of waiting it out took it down after a month to sell it and talk trash about it cause of there own ignorance. so anyways it doesn't matter what you get first and kessils are more than enough to grow any coral by themselves

 

[kyla bidwell]

Awesome! Thanks for your response! Seeing as how the kessil is so cheap right now, I will probably go ahead and snatch it up before they are gone! Any suggestions on what fixture and bulbs to go with when I get my t5s at some point? Would I be ok with a 2 bulb fixture? Or does a 4bulb fixture make a ton of difference?

 

[kacrocorals581]

I think 2 bulb would be enough for your tank . the 4 bulb is not a bad idea you could run the other 2 if wanted , but I think the two with two blue+ along with the kessil well do well for you.

 

[christ1991]

Get an Ati fixture. If you can can afford a Ati powermodule, that would be the best option

 

[kyla bidwell]

Ok cool. And one more question. IF I decide to get the t5 first, and I go with the 2 bulb with 2 blue+ will that be enough light for my sps until I can get the kessil? If its my only source of light for 2 or 3 months. I will probably get the kessil first, butincase they are sold out I figured id ask while your on here

 

[kyla bidwell]

I have a power compact fixture. Can I put t5 bulbs in it? Skrry if thats a silly question. Lighting is NOT my best subject lol! Is there some sort of modification I can do to the pc fixture so I can use t5 bulbs in it?

 

[kyla bidwell]

Get an Ati fixture. If you can can afford a Ati powermodule, that would be the best option

I looked at the ati fixtures and they are out of my price range. Right now I have about $250 to spend. In a few months ill have a lot more to spend. I saw a 2 bulb coralife t5 fixture for $119. Would that be ok for now if I put decent bulbs in it? Or do I just need to wait until I can afford a good ATI and get the kessil for now?

 

[kyla bidwell]

Ok I found a kessil a350 for $200! I am going to get it Monday. I also found a used halgon t5 fixture for $30 from a local reefer that I plan to puck up Monday. So my question is this... the t5 is a single bulb fixture. Since ill be using it with the kessil, what bulb would be best? The kessil will provide my coral with good color, so I want a t5 bulb that will maximize coral growth.

As always, thanks for your help and have a blessed day!

 

[Sabellafella]

Well , depends theres a couple different bulbs that look similar, if i had one to go with would b coral+ , then blue +

 

[kyla bidwell]

Ok thanks! Do you think its worth it to get the fixture since its only single bulb? Will it really make a difference? Or should I wait and save for a 2 or 4 bulb fixture? Will 1 t5 bulb make a noticeable difference in growth?

 

[Sabellafella]

How many kessils you going with 1 rite?

 

[kyla bidwell]

Yeah 1 is all I can afford for now. Ill most likely get a 360 to put with it around the first of the year though. And ill probably get a 4 bulb t5 fixture in the next 6 months. But I want to get the best growth possible in the meantime.

 

[Sabellafella]

Youll be fine with 1 and a kessil for now, in the Long run i would go with 2 t5 bulbs and 2 kessils Tho =)

 

[kyla bidwell]

Ok cool! So, I know I keep changing what im getting every time I post something :-\ lol but I think this will be the last change! So one more question! Im picking up a 4 bulb t5 fixture today instead of the single bulb fixture! What 4 bulb bulb combo will work best when it's used with the kessil? Since im getting the 4 bulb fixture, would it even be necessary to get the kessil? I know NOTHING about lights!

 

[kyla bidwell]

Can I use ati bulbs in a coralife fixture? Or vice versa? can any brand bulbs be used in any brand fixture?

 

[kyla bidwell]

Can I use ati bulbs in a coralife fixture? Or vice versa? can any brand bulbs be used in any brand fixture?

 

[kyla bidwell]

I just thought of another obstacle. if I have a 4 bulb t5 canopy fixture, how is the light from the kessil going to get to the coral? The t5 Canopy will have it blocked wont it?

 

[Sabellafella]

Lolol ur funny , question how much money do you havr to spend

I just thought of another obstacle. if I have a 4 bulb t5 canopy fixture, how is the light from the kessil going to get to the coral? The t5 Canopy will have it blocked wont it?

 

[Sabellafella]

Lol im having the same issue rite now, i have an ati dimmable 8 bulb , i have 3 kessil a150s brand new laying around and wanted to try to build an led strip but not good at it, usually i put reefbrite leds with a t5 combo but i want to try something new , i kno you like the kessils but your really 100 percent better off with t5s, go with 1 coral plus 1 purple plus nd 2 blue plus is nice to start with