T5 / LED combo fixture

[Lacktaters]

I agree with you about the expense. With most things in this hobby, you get what you pay for. You could definitely DIY something using MW ballasts and CREE bulbs for less money. You could even drive them at a full 3watts each, but I'm sure there's a reason they've decided to underdrive them at approximately 1.5watts...it doesn't cut the cost of manufacturing by much.

 

[-Logzor]

No. I'm running the TECH units. My 48" fixtures only have 24 LEDs drawing 37 watts. Jeremy from Premium Aquatics claimed the TECH units produce par comparable to that of 2x54watt ATI blue+ bulbs. My tests with a PAR meter show that it's very close. Like I said, I dropped from 8x54w t5 to a 4x54w t5 + 2 reefbrite TECH units and saw a slight increase in PAR values everywhere.

Yours are pulling 37 watts from the wall? Was this measured with a kil-o-watt? If that's the case then the XHO units are only pulling 3-4 watts more.

I talked to reefbrite, they are sending a new set out to me. I asked how much wattage they should be pulling from the wall and I haven't got a response back yet.

I'm fine with the expense so long as I get the advertised wattage from the fixture. I didn't really want a DIY unit. These fixtures are the perfect look/fit for my system.

 

[-Logzor]

I've been in contact with customer support at ReefBrite. They're building and sending me new units within the next couple of days. They have been very responsive in solving this problem. They confirmed that the units should be reading 54 watts from the wall.

 

[Lacktaters]

You hate to have to rely on customer service, but it's always nice when they take good care of you. I hope you're happy with you XHOs once they're pulling a full 54 watts. Don't be surprised if the t5s still kinda wash them out though. I'm only using 4x54w t5s and they do a pretty good job washing out the TECH LEDs.

 

[Nuocmam]

Dang Joey! Cool idea with the acrylic. You better be careful that PowerModule is no joke. You might fry a chalice or two.

 

[-Logzor]

I ended up sending these back to the factory for replacement. I got in two new ones straight from ReefBrite the other day.

I measured one: Consistent 57 watts
The other: Initially read 54 watts then dropped to 45 watts after about 5 minutes. Who knows how low it would go after an entire day.

They said they tested both in the factory for an entire day with consistent wattage. I'm wondering if damage is occurring during the shipping process.

Any anyone explain to my why one would drift down in wattage while the other stays consistent? Why did their readings remain consistent but when I get them, it's not (one of the units)?

 

[-Logzor]

Here is the result:

More details in my build thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/58592-logzors-rimless-150g-build-8.html

 

[Lacktaters]

Logzar I know you were expecting / hoping for more shimmer, but are you happy with the lighting? How have your corals reacted to the addition of the blue LEDs?

 

[-Logzor]

Logzar I know you were expecting / hoping for more shimmer, but are you happy with the lighting? How have your corals reacted to the addition of the blue LEDs?

Overall I'm very happy with the lighting. It was a struggle at first to get fixtures that read the correct wattage but ReefBrite quickly replaced them. I was very happy with the customer service.

There is a light shimmer, which is better than nothing. The tank looks insane with just the LEDs on.

So far the corals have not responded for better or worse. Although I only run them 2 hours in the morning and 2 at night.

 

[Lacktaters]

I'm running mine through my entire photoperiod. I might try giving my corals a break from the LEDs for a few hours in the middle of the photoperiod. I'm burning up my birdsnests and a couple favia/chalice that aren't shaded. The twilight effect for an hour before and an hour after the T5s is sick though. The colors are unreal!!! I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your lights as much as I.

 

[.Marshall]

Got my 4x36w ATI PM, and my 36" Reefbrite this past week, now working on the acrylic bracket I will post some pictures of the outcome!

 

[typicaltony]

I have a 24" AquaticLife T5 fixture coupled with 2 13" all blue Reefkoi LED strips, couldn't be happier. Running ati coral+, blue+, fiji purple, and blue+.

I know coralvue has a t5/led hybrid fixture.

 

[-Logzor]

Got my 4x36w ATI PM, and my 36" Reefbrite this past week, now working on the acrylic bracket I will post some pictures of the outcome!

Awesome, can't wait to see pictures. So far I really like the LED T5 combo.

 

[gmoney243]

I'm using a 96 led + 2 60" t5 on a 6x2x2 180g. The t5 add a nice brightness to the tank and get rid of some shadowing. Its really imo the best lighting option low running costs with high color and growth.

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk 2

 

[.Marshall]

Awesome, can't wait to see pictures. So far I really like the LED T5 combo.

So glad I found this thread, it was exactly what I was wanting to do! Thanks for the help as well! I will update on my progress soon hopefully.

 

[-Logzor]

So glad I found this thread, it was exactly what I was wanting to do! Thanks for the help as well! I will update on my progress soon hopefully.

No problem, can't wait to see the results!

 

[Patrick Cox]

Got my 4x36w ATI PM, and my 36" Reefbrite this past week, now working on the acrylic bracket I will post some pictures of the outcome!

.Marshall,
Have you made your modifications yet? I would love to see some pictures.

 

[ToXIc]

building my own hybrid fixture.. check it out..

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/mi...20-t5-light-emitting-diodes-hybrid-build.html

 

[.Marshall]

.Marshall,
Have you made your modifications yet? I would love to see some pictures.

I cut the brackets! Just need to sand them down to get rid of any imperfections on the edges. Hopefully sometime this week/weekend I can cut the 1" off the reefbrite so it fits in line with the bracket and the Powermodule. I will post pictures soon!