Need help on lighting!

Marine430 · Mar 10, 2017

Hello I am new to R2R. my name is Chris I live in Orlando Florida and love all types of aquariums.
I have just upgraded from a 20 gal long to a 40 gal breeder and so far I am supper excited! my t5 fixture is going to need to be replaced. my question is I have about a 400 dollar budget. should I get another t5 fixture and get ati bulbs or upgrade all together and go with led. I think I am learning towards the jbj orion sl light fixture. I can't seem to find any reviews on it yet.
My goal is to have a softie and lps only tank. my t5s have given me really good success in the past which I am leaning towards another t5 fixture. however I still keep the led upgrade in mind. they run cooler, no bulb replacement, and I guess overall lower maintenance. in the past with t5s I had to replace bulbs every 9 months or so, ballast, fans, timers, and legs. if I go the t5 route I will also have some money left over to get a skimmer as well. if I go the led route I will just keep up on my water changes as I currently do. I know a skimmer does not replace water changes. thanks for any help.

Kershaw · Mar 10, 2017

On this site they sell ati t5 light fixtures with slight blemishes for cheap. Might find one in your budget.

Marine430 · Mar 10, 2017

I am guessing you would go the t5 route?

buckroe07 · Mar 10, 2017

Welcome! That is a question that will leave you asking the same question in the end since both have a strong following and will turn out almost 50/50. Then theres me who uses a metal halide/T5/LED fixture

Samething for with the skimmer vs skimmerless.

Personally I would go T5 and get skimmer.

Flippers4pups · Mar 10, 2017

I was tired of the yearly replacement of my t5 bulbs. ($200+) Made the jump to LED's in October of last year and haven't looked back.

After a lot of research on forums, I picked the mars aquas for the cost and reliability. Grows SPS, LPS and softies very well. Very happy. Sb reef lights are a notch above mine and come with more options, warranty.

Now there are a ton of manufacturers of led fixtures out there and many with excellent performance/track records, so it's really up to you on which brand you chose.

One thing I can tell you is LED's are more powerful than your typical t5 light fixtures and require acclimating your corals to them by lowering their intensity at first. Many hobbyists bleach their corals by not doing this. (I still run mine at 10% white channel and 30% blue channel.) If followed, they can be amazing and can be a great choice as replacement to t5's.

40B Knasty · Mar 10, 2017

Jeez.. It is like I am reading the story of my life. Went from 20g to 40B. Had a SolarMax T5 Blue+ Coral+.
Now have a JBJ Trinity 4x39w $220(I think)
B+
C+
B+
True Actinic
The 2 B+ on a timer and the LED moonlight on a timer. Add the coral+ and actinic for feeding hours. Fan runs on the 1&3 bulb which runs all day.
9 Zoanthids, candy cane, 2 frogspawn, pulsing xenia
Glass top. There is only thing. The leg mounts block the glass from lifting. You would need 4 pieces of wood 3/4"x11. To make a small leg brace frame if you went the route.

Marine430 · Mar 10, 2017

I can agree it is a 50/50 split on both subjects. I don't think I can go wrong either way.

Marine430 · Mar 10, 2017

40B Knasty said:
Jeez.. It is like I am reading the story of my life. Went from 20g to 40B. Had a SolarMax T5 Blue+ Coral+.
Now have a JBJ Trinity 4x39w $220(I think)
B+
C+
B+
True Actinic
The 2 B+ on a timer and the LED moonlight on a timer. Add the coral+ and actinic for feeding hours. Fan runs on the 1&3 bulb which runs all day.
9 Zoanthids, candy cane, 2 frogspawn, pulsing xenia
Glass top. There is only thing. The leg mounts block the glass from lifting. You would need 4 pieces of wood 3/4"x11. To make a small leg brace frame if you went the route.

I seen the jbj trinity and liked the fixture. I went with current Nova extreme when I first got a t5. They have been discontinued for some reason like many t5 fixtures. Thanks for taking the time and photos!

40B Knasty · Mar 10, 2017

Great for coral growth that is for sure. Rasta zoanthids are known to be slow growers. This has been a good month for me. Went from 13 to 18 polyps since I found out that zooxanthellae peaks photosynthesis at dawn and dusk. Here is a good close up on all 4 ATI. You can tell, because the muddy purple line down the middle of the LR from the true actinic.

Flippers4pups · Mar 10, 2017

Just right after I put them up.

Marine430 · Mar 10, 2017

40B Knasty said:
Great for coral growth that is for sure. Rasta zoanthids are known to be slow growers. This has been a good month for me. Went from 13 to 18 polyps since I found out that zooxanthellae peaks photosynthesis at dawn and dusk. Here is a good close up on all 4 ATI. You can tell, because the muddy purple line down the middle of the LR from the true actinic.

I am liking the setup! Would you do anything different if you could do it all over again?

Marine430 · Mar 10, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
Just right after I put them up.

I looked up the light. I am interested in the Sb reef lights!

40B Knasty · Mar 10, 2017

Marine430 said:
I am liking the setup! Would you do anything different if you could do it all over again?

Once I figured out what to do with the light to make it not be blinding the whole room with a marine vinyl that also protects the acrylic splash guard when you raise the glass. Also to mount the legs out wider. Which was all very easy to do. I love what I have.
I took the advice 3 people
1) A LFS store owner that I only trust. When he said "ever heard of an LED tanning bed? No you haven't. Only T5 tanning beds. That's the best way to replicate the Sun."
2) BRS videos on lighting showing T5's par, very little shadowing, and reflects off the sand better to keep the underside of corals flesh healthier.
3) Tidal Garden's owner Than did a review on ATI combos and what works best. Do I like the True actinic. It is okay. Do I have it, because Than said how great the spectrum of true actinic is for Chlorophyll A & B for health and growth for corals. Absolutely! Plus my trusted LFS also recommended the True Actinic.
It's not about me. Took the best advice out there and molded it all into one cohesive ball of knowledge of the hobby. A little Reefroids helps too, but not even close to what they recommend. Probably 1/2 of what they recommend and every 2-3 days.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 10, 2017

Kershaw said:
On this site they sell ati t5 light fixtures with slight blemishes for cheap. Might find one in your budget.

Marine430 said:
I am guessing you would go the t5 route?

buckroe07 said:
Welcome! That is a question that will leave you asking the same question in the end since both have a strong following and will turn out almost 50/50. Then theres me who uses a metal halide/T5/LED fixture

Samething for with the skimmer vs skimmerless.

Personally I would go T5 and get skimmer.

T5 for ease and fun. And look used too for a small ati, or reputable brand, your prob in the budget range.
Thats said, I have an SBreeflight and love it. A 32in ramping is a lot of fun.
That AND that said, A diy t5, ramping led hybrid was the best light I ever had.

Marine430 · Mar 10, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
T5 for ease and fun. And look used too for a small ati, or reputable brand, your prob in the budget range.
Thats said, I have an SBreeflight and love it. A 32in ramping is a lot of fun.
That AND that said, A diy t5, ramping led hybrid was the best light I ever had.

You are suggesting a t5/led combo?

40B Knasty · Mar 10, 2017

A combo would be great. Here is the thing. I did some research, but not to the extent that I did with T5s. I found a T5 that was of a good price and is more than enough with 4x39w. Kind of overkill actually. Could I find an LED light fixture with quality that will last the 5 years the bulb claim to last for $200, no. Maybe someone else can help you with that.

Marine430 · Mar 11, 2017

40B Knasty said:
A combo would be great. Here is the thing. I did some research, but not to the extent that I did with T5s. I found a T5 that was of a good price and is more than enough with 4x39w. Kind of overkill actually. Could I find an LED light fixture with quality that will last the 5 years the bulb claim to last for $200, no. Maybe someone else can help you with that.

I feel like a combo would be really $$$$ or a big DIY project that I don't want to deal with.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 11, 2017

Marine430 said:
You are suggesting a t5/led combo?

Take a look(why not, shopping is fun), Ati has a hybred($$$$$$$$$)< but theres also t5 retro kits. You can do 2 tubes and a SBreef style or a smaller narrow strip.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-steves-led-t5-hybrid-build-opinions.141073/

It hybred might be advanced though.
Again,
"T5 for ease and fun.
Thats said, I have an SBreeflight and love it. A 32in ramping is a lot of fun."

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 11, 2017

Marine430 said:
I feel like a combo would be really $$$$ or a big DIY project that I don't want to deal with.

yup. Agreed.

40B Knasty · Mar 11, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Take a look(why not, shopping is fun), Ati has a hybred($$$$$$$$$)< but theres also t5 retro kits. You can do 2 tubes and a SBreef style or a smaller narrow strip.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-steves-led-t5-hybrid-build-opinions.141073/

It hybred might be advanced though.
Again,
"T5 for ease and fun.
Thats said, I have an SBreeflight and love it. A 32in ramping is a lot of fun."

Yeah all that thread is to much. I like the plug and play of the JBJ Trinity. Spent $30 for the 2 outdoor timers from Homedepot.
3 LED Moonlights kick on @ 8:15am-9:15am & 7:30-8:45
2xBlue+ @9am-7:50pm
Coral+&Actinic hand turned on and off when I feed at 9:30am & 5pm. I could use another timer for it, but I am can't be 100% lazy about it. Just want the dawn dusk affect.
I do have to say the 3 LEDs are very bright and pop the corals for waking them up and keeping them open for color and enjoyment at the end of the day on its own.
OHH! The fan is very quiet on the JBJ also. That is also important.