T5 question?

jmccoy62003 · Oct 11, 2019

I’m going to be setting up a 40breeder 36” long and 18” wide. Wanting to get an ATI fixture for this. Being I’ve never ran t5’s before do I get a 36” long and 17” wide fixture or could I get away with using a 24” long fixture. I’ve seen pics of the fixture covering the whole tank and some not. What would you guys suggest?? Thanks just trying to do my research!

Rubblereefer · Oct 11, 2019

I’d go for the aquatic life t5 led hybrid. You can run it without leds for now and if you decide to upgrade later you could add some leds. Definitely go 36” either way

Zos4me · Oct 11, 2019

I have the Aquatic life dimmable t5 with 2 hydra 26s and it is a killer setup. I love it.

joelbegt · Oct 11, 2019

I think knowing how you plan to stock the tank could change my answer, but Yes, I think you could you get away with it especially in an LPS, Softie, or mixed tank.

I have a 48“x18“x18“ and use a 6 bulb 48” sunpower. I need to place corals carefully because it’s very bright even using 2 actinic in my bulb combo.

jmccoy62003 · Oct 11, 2019

joelbegt said:
I think knowing how you plan to stock the tank could change my answer, but Yes, I think you could you get away with it especially in an LPS, Softie, or mixed tank.

I have a 48“x18“x18“ and use a 6 bulb 48” sunpower. I need to place corals carefully because it’s very bright even using 2 actinic in my bulb combo.

I’m going to try to do mostly SPS and some LPS if the changes your suggestion?

X-37B · Oct 11, 2019

Im running a 48" 6 bulb ati at 4" above the surface on my 120.
I have a giesemann 36" 6 bulb unit for my frag tank thats 36x24x12.
You could run a 24" 6 bulb unit on a 40 breeder. Just place lower light corals on the edges.
I would use a 36" myself.

Rubblereefer · Oct 11, 2019

Zos4me said:
I have the Aquatic life dimmable t5 with 2 hydra 26s and it is a killer setup. I love it.

Do you think the dimming feature is worth it? I was thinking of going non dimming and just run the t5s mid day.

Zos4me · Oct 11, 2019

If you have the money it is nice.i ramp them up with the LEDs so my fish doesn't get the wham effect when the t5s suddenly come on.and also the opposite when they go off

Zos4me · Oct 11, 2019

You do need some kind of controller to do that though

Skynyrd Fish · Oct 11, 2019

I would recommend a 36” fixture. However a 24” will work. I am running a 60” tank with a 48” six bulb ati. I am always looking for a 60 fixture used for sale. Hope this helps.

joelbegt · Oct 11, 2019

jmccoy62003 said:
I’m going to try to do mostly SPS and some LPS if the changes your suggestion?

it would make me lean more towards the 36”. If you decide to go dimmable don’t forget to burn your bulbs in.

A. grandis · Oct 12, 2019

jmccoy62003 said:
I’m going to be setting up a 40breeder 36” long and 18” wide. Wanting to get an ATI fixture for this. Being I’ve never ran t5’s before do I get a 36” long and 17” wide fixture or could I get away with using a 24” long fixture. I’ve seen pics of the fixture covering the whole tank and some not. What would you guys suggest?? Thanks just trying to do my research!

6 bulb 36" regular (non-dimmable) Sunpower fixture.