T5 supplement with Orphek?

[GugsJr]

@Orphek

I have a 60" aquatic life t5 hybrid I was using with my radion xr30w g4 pros on my 220 (72×24×30)

I have switched to Orpheks and was wondering if I should still use the hybrids.

Combination on t5s is 2 blue plus, 1 coral plus, 1 atinic.

 

[GugsJr]

Well I added the old aquatic life hybrid and here's the look

 

[rushbattle]

Can’t hurt! Hard to tell from a digital image, but I imagine there is less shading, well done.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Agree with RU. Probably just a matter of what appeals to you the most.

 

[GugsJr]

Agree with RU. Probably just a matter of what appeals to you the most.

It didn't really change the color to my eye

 

[Njdevils1220]

Any update on how this combo is working out? I am adding a 48" Aquatic life to my Atlantik V4 combo as well.

 

[tgrick]

I just added 3 Atlantik V4s because I wanted to eliminate the T5s. I'm tired of replacing bulbs...I test par with my meter and everything looks very promising.

 

[Njdevils1220]

I just added 3 Atlantik V4s because I wanted to eliminate the T5s. I'm tired of replacing bulbs...I test par with my meter and everything looks very promising.

I like my Atlantiks I just don’t see nearly as much growth as I do in my friends tanks who run T5’s. I do have nice colors though.

 

[tgrick]

I like my Atlantiks I just don’t see nearly as much growth as I do in my friends tanks who run T5’s. I do have nice colors though.

I wish it were as simple as lights. The reality is far more complex. As an example... quantity/quality of feeding. Calcium levels, Alk and PH levels. Water change schedule. Salt used. Protein skimmer performance. Supplements added.

The list goes on and on. Lighting is certainly a major factor but it's not the only factor. I was running T5s with Hydra 26HD and had very solid growth. That said, my tank seems to 'appreciate' the spectrum of the Orpheck as much if not more. TIme will tell.

 

[Njdevils1220]

I wish it were as simple as lights. The reality is far more complex. As an example... quantity/quality of feeding. Calcium levels, Alk and PH levels. Water change schedule. Salt used. Protein skimmer performance. Supplements added.

The list goes on and on. Lighting is certainly a major factor but it's not the only factor. I was running T5s with Hydra 26HD and had very solid growth. That said, my tank seems to 'appreciate' the spectrum of the Orpheck as much if not more. TIme will tell.

My parameters are good and consistent. It’s cheaper to add the T5’s than it was buying the Orpheks so either it works out great or I sell the T5’s and stick to Orphek only.

 

[JPergamo]

Just a question for possible future plans, does the orphek fit ok in the space of the aquatic life t5 fixture? I have the aquatic life with a sb reef light ultra 57 over my 180 and actually love it, an obvious upgrade would be to orpheks down the line but it says they are 9 inches wide. The space for t5 fixture I think is 7.5.

 

[Njdevils1220]

Just a question for possible future plans, does the orphek fit ok in the space of the aquatic life t5 fixture? I have the aquatic life with a sb reef light ultra 57 over my 180 and actually love it, an obvious upgrade would be to orpheks down the line but it says they are 9 inches wide. The space for t5 fixture I think is 7.5.

No, a custom mounting bracket would be needed. I made my own but sold my Orpheks. Was pretty easy to do with some metal from Home Depot and a drill.

 

[JPergamo]

No, a custom mounting bracket would be needed. I made my own but sold my Orpheks. Was pretty easy to do with some metal from Home Depot and a drill.

I have my lights all suspended and would just do that with the orpheks, was just wondering about the space in between the 2 sets of t5s

 

[Njdevils1220]

I have my lights all suspended and would just do that with the orpheks, was just wondering about the space in between the 2 sets of t5s

The aquatic life fixture out of the box only offers 7” of space between. They make larger brackets but then it jumps to I think 16” which is huge. I made my own to give it 10” of space to fit the Orpheks perfectly.

 

[JPergamo]

The aquatic life fixture out of the box only offers 7” of space between. They make larger brackets but then it jumps to I think 16” which is huge. I made my own to give it 10” of space to fit the Orpheks perfectly.

Ahhh I follow what you are saying now. That's great I would just do the same thank you for clarifying.

 

[Karliefish]

The aquatic life fixture out of the box only offers 7” of space between. They make larger brackets but then it jumps to I think 16” which is huge. I made my own to give it 10” of space to fit the Orpheks perfectly.

Any possibility of seeing a picture of your Aquatic Life fixture setup with the orpheks? Also how did you go about "making your own" Many thanks!