Possibly moving to T5 from LED

[pdiehm]

Currently running a Photon 48 but can't get it dialed in to a color and brightness that is a) what I like and b) optimal for corals.

I just bought a small T5 unit for a 20 long drag tank and in only a few weeks am seeing more color and growth than I have in a year with my LEDs, so I am toying with removing my canopy and hanging a t5 fixture.

With my tank dimensions, 60x18x26, would I be better suited getting a 6 bulb fixture Or an 8 bulb fixture? 39 watts or 54?

 

[michael.cser20]

6 bulb ati 60" for you will be perfect. I went from chine leds to a 6 bulb ati on my 75 gallon and the color is 10x better and now I don't have shadows.

 

[DLuce510]

If it were me I'd always go with 8 bulb. Not %100 necessary but I like having the option for more, but the width of your tank is 18"? Most 8 bulbs fixtures are 24" so it sounds like it would be best to go with 6 bulb 4' fixture which is still plenty of light.

 

[Chris Adams]

I just made change to ATI unit from led/t5retro kit. You will not be sorry. Colors in my SPS already improving after couple weeks.
6 bulb option gives you room to add reefbrite led stripe or similar if you desire later on

Edit. Sorry only read part of original post "note to self stop doing that". Seems we both have same results.. quite amazing really.

 

[dragon99]

I'm making the switch also. I'm picking up a 8 bulb T5 later today. My only concern is making sure I don't torch everything. My LED's now are only putting ~300-400 PAR at the water surface, I believe the T5 can do that on the sandbed!

 

[pdiehm]

I am ok with it being a little darker on the edges.

The 6 bulb fixture is 13" wide, the 8 bulb fixture is 17.5" wide.

The 48" fixtures are 47.5" long which is about the same length as my Photon 48.

Need to research more and amongst that is figuring out how to mount it. Have a drop ceiling so that's not an option and my tank is about 12" from the wall (maybe 10"). And would need to find a shelf bracket that is about 18-20" long

 

[dragon99]

Need to research more and amongst that is figuring out how to mount it. Have a drop ceiling so that's not an option and my tank is about 12" from the wall (maybe 10"). And would need to find a shelf bracket that is about 18-20" long

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Style-Selections-White-Heavy-Duty-Shelf-Bracket/3034239

Just under 20" extension.

 

[pdiehm]

17" to approx Center. What height over tank do you guys think? Water is about 2" under the top of the trim. Was thinking about same height over tank as my led's, which is about 12" since they sit on top of my canopy