Sleekest Single T5 Option

Makers Marc · Apr 21, 2020

All,

What is the sleekest, low profile single t5 bulb w/ reflector out there, that I can add to my existing 2xap700 setup? I want to add a 24" bulb to the front of each of my Kessils and have it tilted inward like the diagrammed pic.

Ive seen the retrofit ones on BRS but they look pretty ugly. I wanted the aquaticlife hybrid but the mounting options wont work: hanging (ceiling is 25+ft), wall mount (studs dont align evenly), so Im hoping that I can find a way to just attach a t5 to my existing kessil and arm mounts. And it can dually act as a skirt for the lightspill (which I am currently using black poster board to accomplish).

Note: Primary goal is not needing more par, but reducing shading on front of corals.

RCS82 · Apr 21, 2020

I would go with an LED bar like a Reefbrite or an Orphek or something. You can get them in different spectrums like a T5 and they are real low profile and probably look the best.

mtraylor · Apr 21, 2020

Well I have orphek v4's as my main lighting and I have been waiting over a half of a year for 60" led bars. So I decided to pull the plug on waiting for them for my supplement lighting and started to look for t5 supplement. I did not find anything that remotely looked nice for just one t5 strip in the size that I wanted. So I went with a hybrid 2 bulb solution that looked nice for my permanent lighting. Giesemann steller.

If you want a really affordable one I saw some smaller ones. Sunblast and Sunblaze. Not sure if they are viable but you can research them

Makers Marc · Apr 21, 2020

Yeah. I saw those on Amazon. They're just hideous jk. How come you chose Giesmann over AL Hybrids?

mtraylor · Apr 21, 2020

LOL. Well i chose the Giesemann strictly for craftsmanship and reliability. It is really one nice looking fixture and the reflectors are really nice and angled just right. The metal body will allow me to mount the way I need too as well.

Louiemiller9 · Apr 21, 2020

Makers Marc said:
All,

What is the sleekest, low profile single t5 bulb w/ reflector out there, that I can add to my existing 2xap700 setup? I want to add a 24" bulb to the front of each of my Kessils and have it tilted inward like the diagrammed pic.

Ive seen the retrofit ones on BRS but they look pretty ugly. I wanted the aquaticlife hybrid but the mounting options wont work: hanging (ceiling is 25+ft), wall mount (studs dont align evenly), so Im hoping that I can find a way to just attach a t5 to my existing kessil and arm mounts. And it can dually act as a skirt for the lightspill (which I am currently using black poster board to accomplish).

Note: Primary goal is not needing more par, but reducing shading on front of corals.

Sun Blaze striplight... houses a single T5 ... might be something that would interest you.

Jet915 · Apr 21, 2020

mtraylor said:
Well I have orphek v4's as my main lighting and I have been waiting over a half of a year for 60" led bars. So I decided to pull the plug on waiting for them for my supplement lighting and started to look for t5 supplement. I did not find anything that remotely looked nice for just one t5 strip in the size that I wanted. So I went with a hybrid 2 bulb solution that looked nice for my permanent lighting. Giesemann steller.

If you want a really affordable one I saw some smaller ones. Sunblast and Sunblaze. Not sure if they are viable but you can research them

I use these sunblast. They seem to work fine. No, they don't look sleek but mine are in my canopy so no one really sees them. I started with 1 and now I have 4........use ATI bulbs.

Makers Marc · Apr 25, 2020

Jet915 said:
I use these sunblast. They seem to work fine. No, they don't look sleek but mine are in my canopy so no one really sees them. I started with 1 and now I have 4........use ATI bulbs.

Yeah. No canopy for me, hence the query about sleekness.