Radion/T5 Fixture......

Sean1986 · Apr 11, 2015

So Im going to be starting up my 150 gallon 4 foot tank. I really want to add some t5 bulbs to it. I like the color they put out and a little extra light cant hurt right ?:bigsmile:

Im looking into getting a 4ft, 8 bulb fixture and taking out the center 2-4 bulbs to make room for the Radions. Im trying to make it look clean and nice. is there any reason I shouldn't use a hydroponics grow fixture like this one?

any advice would be appreciated.

Virtual Sun 4-Ft 8 Lamp Vegetation 6500K T5 Premium High Output Fluorescent Grow Light Kit

Reefing Madness · Apr 13, 2015

If thats the totally white unit without reflectors, then no, I wouldn't use it, you lose to much light.

Sean1986 · Apr 15, 2015

it has reflectors

Orly20 · Jun 1, 2015

What fixture did you go with finally @Sean1986 ? I am looking into this myself with my current led fixtures and wanted to get the t5 retro and put it all together.

dorky · Jun 2, 2015

i dont see any issue if you don't used their light bulbs. Just make sure that you find the bulbs for that size.

Sean1986 · Jun 4, 2015

I actually havent taken on this project yet, i have still been doing some research. The fixture i listed will work. just working on parts and how I am going to make it look clean. I may sand blast it and repaint it. Ill probably lose 4 of the 8 bulbs and have 2 T5's on each side of the radion fixtures.

dorky · Jun 5, 2015

Sean1986 said:
I actually havent taken on this project yet, i have still been doing some research. The fixture i listed will work. just working on parts and how I am going to make it look clean. I may sand blast it and repaint it. Ill probably lose 4 of the 8 bulbs and have 2 T5's on each side of the radion fixtures.

I would take four bulbs in the middle and add the radion fixture in the middle so that way the t5 can cover the area that the radion is lacking

Sean1986 · Jun 5, 2015

yup take the four middle out, so you have 2 and 2 on each side of your radions

blakk · Jun 9, 2015

I was in a similar debate. I wanted to add some T5's with my Radion tank to hopefully help with some SPS color.. I bought a cheap 6 bulb fixture gutted/cut it in half and mounted the radion in the center.

Sean1986 · Jun 9, 2015

That Looks Really good, thats pretty much what i would like to accomplish! thanks for sharing

blakk · Jun 9, 2015

You are very welcome good luck! Let me know if i can be of any help.

Akida17th · Jun 9, 2015

You might want to add a fan to exhaust out the T5 heat

mangups · Sep 23, 2015

blakk said:
I was in a similar debate. I wanted to add some T5's with my Radion tank to hopefully help with some SPS color.. I bought a cheap 6 bulb fixture gutted/cut it in half and mounted the radion in the center.

How did u mount the fixture -- it is hanging? I am looking to do the same w/o the hanging feature and use a tank mount.

blakk · Sep 24, 2015

@mangups yes it is hung by some small decorative black chain. I like the fact I can easily raise/lower the fixture and it was a simple and quick process!

mangups · Sep 28, 2015

blakk said:
@mangups yes it is hung by some small decorative black chain. I like the fact I can easily raise/lower the fixture and it was a simple and quick process!

I got this fixture used off ebay (see below) and once I get it I am thinking of removing the 2 middle bulbs and reflector and get the radion in there. It is 24.9 x 13.9 x 3.4 inches and 11 pounds with a tank mount. The distance between the 2nd and 5th light it around 7 3/4 inches which gives me enough space to put the radion in. It also has 2 fans built in so it might just work out perfect.

I am looking at using the T5 to run 4~5 hrs to supplement the radion for color and growth of SPS and LPS but am not sure which combination of bulbs to go with.

ATI suggests these:
OPTION 1:

4-Bulb combination : 16K - 20K - Bluish white with a noticable blue and red under-tone

3 ATI Blue Plus
1 ATI Purple Plus

OPTION 2:

4-Bulb combination :

12K - 16K - Cool white with a noticable blue and red under-tone

2 ATI Blue Plus
2 ATI Coral Plus

OPTION 3:

4-Bulb combination

2 ATI Blue Plus
1 ATI Aquablue Special
1 ATI Purple Plus

Any suggestions: I am leaning towards option 3.....

Orly20 · Oct 2, 2015

The aquaticlife does look like it would work. I am curious to see what people recommend for bulb options of the three options. I was thinking of doing option 3 for my new build.

ifarmer · Oct 2, 2015

mangups said:
I got this fixture used off ebay (see below) and once I get it I am thinking of removing the 2 middle bulbs and reflector and get the radion in there. It is 24.9 x 13.9 x 3.4 inches and 11 pounds with a tank mount. The distance between the 2nd and 5th light it around 7 3/4 inches which gives me enough space to put the radion in. It also has 2 fans built in so it might just work out perfect.

I am looking at using the T5 to run 4~5 hrs to supplement the radion for color and growth of SPS and LPS but am not sure which combination of bulbs to go with.

ATI suggests these:
OPTION 1:

4-Bulb combination : 16K - 20K - Bluish white with a noticable blue and red under-tone

3 ATI Blue Plus

1 ATI Purple Plus

OPTION 2:

4-Bulb combination :

12K - 16K - Cool white with a noticable blue and red under-tone

2 ATI Blue Plus

2 ATI Coral Plus

OPTION 3:

4-Bulb combination

2 ATI Blue Plus

1 ATI Aquablue Special

1 ATI Purple Plus

Any suggestions: I am leaning towards option 3.....

in order to be able to fit the Radion, you might need to remove at least 3-4 bulbs. 2 bulbs is not enough space.
I was thinking to remove 2 bulbs off of my ati and put the Hydra 26 but 2 bulbs isn't big enough to fit the Hydra. and the Hydra is much much slimmmer than the Radion

mangups · Oct 2, 2015

ifarmer said:
in order to be able to fit the Radion, you might need to remove at least 3-4 bulbs. 2 bulbs is not enough space.
I was thinking to remove 2 bulbs off of my ati and put the Hydra 26 but 2 bulbs isn't big enough to fit the Hydra. and the Hydra is much much slimmmer than the Radion

Yes, I realized this once I got the unit. Anyways 4 T5 is a serious overkill on a 24 G tank.
I did finish the build (light assembly) - see here: http://reef2reef.com/threads/radion-t5-retrofit-build.216065/#post-2476774

helldiver · Oct 3, 2015

Yes I am in the process of doing this now also.I am going with 4-t5; to in the front ATI Blue Plus,Coral Plus same in back might add reflectors later:
These are the fixtures I bought 40 dollars a piece a home depot
2-Light High Output Multi-Volt T5 Compact White Fluorescent Strip Light
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...rip-Light-ZR-2-54T5HO-MVOLT-GEB10PS/203137160

Fishphi784 · Nov 2, 2015

Not sure if you all are still working on this, but the coralvue outlet store has a phenomenal deal on t5 retrofit kits.The reflectors are $10 in the same "outlet store." See link.

http://www.coralvue.com/t5-2-bulb-retro-kit-with-3-1w-led-moonlights-24in