What are the best T5 lights available?

[USMC 4 LIFE]

I have a 48 X 18 X 24 (90 gallon) tank with nothing but live rock and a couple of fishes. I don't plan on keeping any sps.

Any ideas on some great T5 fixtures? I am leaning towards a 4 or 6 bulb fixture with possible LED's.

 

[mcarroll]

Four bulbs is enough with any decent fixture and bulb combo....and if it helps: SPS don't require special light.

Do you have a budget in mind?

(If you're willing to use LED's why not go all-LED with something like this or a DIY?)

 

[120reefkeeper]

IMHO...... ATI bulbs.

 

[mcarroll]

IMHO...... ATI bulbs.

Do you have a favorite combo?

 

[120reefkeeper]

Blue plus and coral plus. If you go to the ati site they have a setup guide for different bulb combos and how they look.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Here is the link to the site....


http://www.atinorthamerica.com/faq.php

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Four bulbs is enough with any decent fixture and bulb combo....and if it helps: SPS don't require special light.

Do you have a budget in mind?

(If you're willing to use LED's why not go all-LED with something like this or a DIY?)

I enjoy the different color combos that are achievable through t5 bulbs. That's why I'm leaning towards t5s. Budget is around $400

 

[120reefkeeper]

Also a link to a video on YouTube that lets you see different combos....

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Do you have a favorite combo?

One white, one blue, one purple and maybe another blue or pink bulb.

 

[120reefkeeper]

I enjoy the different color combos that are achievable through t5 bulbs. That's why I'm leaning towards t5s. Budget is around $400

Semper fi!

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Yut

 

[mcarroll]

Hm....on a quick scan:

$279 for a Coralife Aqualight
$333 for Wavepoint
$438 for an ATI SunPower

I think I like the Coralife at that rate. My old halide fixture was a Coralife and I loved it. Plus is leaves you with money in pocket for bulbs and more coral!

If you wanted to consider LED's on their merits, a set of blue and white strips (or better) would rock the corals. Then add one RGB-oriented strip (they make all-RGB or hybrids with white and RGB chips) for color adjustment. You'd be able to get the savings of LED and still have fun customizing the colors that way. It's a thought!

2¢

 

[prsnlty]

Hm....on a quick scan:

$279 for a Coralife Aqualight
$333 for Wavepoint
$438 for an ATI SunPower

I think I like the Coralife at that rate. My old halide fixture was a Coralife and I loved it. Plus is leaves you with money in pocket for bulbs and more coral!

If you wanted to consider LED's on their merits, a set of blue and white strips (or better) would rock the corals. Then add one RGB-oriented strip (they make all-RGB or hybrids with white and RGB chips) for color adjustment. You'd be able to get the savings of LED and still have fun customizing the colors that way. It's a thought!

2¢

+1 I'm running a 30" 4 bulbs Coralife Aqualight with ATI t5s in it on my grandson's 29g ... love it! For the money even replacing the bulbs that come with it with ATIs you're getting a great fixture. Programable and has moonlight leds too

 

[nicholas.babb@gmail]

Buy a factory second ATI in their thread. Great deal for a great fixture.

 

[MadCityReefer]

If you can swing it ATI led Powermodule, love mine!

 

[DracoKat]

I have the coralife fixture as well, 4-bulb, on my 75 gal reef tank
I use all ATI bulbs
2 Blue + (on the outside)
Purple+
Coral +

and it's great, I like it a lot. I am going to see how it does with Acros though!

 

[Ligershark]

I enjoy the different color combos that are achievable through t5 bulbs. That's why I'm leaning towards t5s. Budget is around $400

you can pick up a used 4 bulb ati sunpower and then at a later date add a blue reef brite strip to it. i have a 4 bulb and use 3 blue plus and 1 purple plus.

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

I have the coralife fixture as well, 4-bulb, on my 75 gal reef tank
I use all ATI bulbs
2 Blue + (on the outside)
Purple+
Coral +

and it's great, I like it a lot. I am going to see how it does with Acros though!

Sounds like what I'm looking for. I'll look into this.
Do you have any pics of yours to see the color it produces?

 

[DracoKat]

yea, though note, it's difficult to take accurate colors with the blues! This is the best one I got:

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Oh ok. Hmm I might have to call some LFS and ask what kind of lighting they have on their tanks to get eyes on it.

Do you think $75 on a Aqualife 4 bulb fixture is a good deal. The bulbs will have to replaced and it does NOT come with mounting legs