razzpatazzz June 25, 2018 Share June 25, 2018 I'm considering adding some supplemental T5s or switching to them and was wondering if I could see what they look like in person, either in store or at a club members home. A lot of people seen to mention the flat look they have and their distaste of it so I got curious. I'm Haymarket but anywhere around Centreville/Fairfax would be fine too. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime June 25, 2018 Share June 25, 2018 I'm in Arlington, if you're around this area, you can see a fully lit T5 setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BtmDweller June 25, 2018 Share June 25, 2018 When you say T5 keep in mind bulb color combinations. Running ATI blue+/actinic with halides. Also Ben with Supreme Reefs running the same. If you want to see a variety of corals under T5. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razzpatazzz June 25, 2018 Author Share June 25, 2018 I'm in Arlington, if you're around this area, you can see a fully lit T5 setup. Yeah do you think you'll be free this Friday or weekend? I can come by Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razzpatazzz June 25, 2018 Author Share June 25, 2018 When you say T5 keep in mind bulb color combinations. Running ATI blue+/actinic with halides. Also Ben with Supreme Reefs running the same. If you want to see a variety of corals under T5. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Yeah I'm just trying to grasp what the "flat" look means because I have actually never seen a T5 only tank. I'd love to see your tank anyway though if you don't mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epleeds June 25, 2018 Share June 25, 2018 What are you running right now. I used to run T5 for 10+ years. Never had an issue. Grew everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razzpatazzz June 25, 2018 Author Share June 25, 2018 What are you running right now. I used to run T5 for 10+ years. Never had an issue. Grew everything. Running 2 xr15s over 48" but I wanted a more even spread without breaking the bank. So I'm considering the aquatic life retro fixture but I've seen some people suggest just running T5s so I'm debating either way. I'm not worried about if it will grow things either way really Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime June 26, 2018 Share June 26, 2018 Yeah do you think you'll be free this Friday or weekend? I can come by Friday is good, PM me Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madweazl June 26, 2018 Share June 26, 2018 If you want to make the trek to Fredericksburg, I have a 48" AquaticLife over a 75g with a pair of Kessils right now. I'm using 2 Blue+, and AquaBlue Special, and a Purple+ which gives a 12k'ish look. The Kessils are running at 60% color which is around 14k (I'm not in to blue tanks). Some of my thoughts on the fixture: DislikesThe finish is actually pretty good, the fit leaves a bit to be desiredReflectors have a nice polish but are a simple ^ design and dont reflect nearly as well as something from the likes of ATI or even the LET retrofits due to the shapeThe above mentioned hanging cables will work fine if you live in a hobbit house...Cables exiting both sides vs a single cable off the back sucks but it cut the overall cost and is fairly easy to modifyEnd caps for the T5s are pretty cheesyEdit: The power cords are short as wellLikesIt is light weight and easy to assembleSimple integration of LEDs with T5s that looks pretty clean all said and done I wouldn't run it unless it was under a canopy personally but that kind of defeats the purpose of the fixture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molcott June 26, 2018 Share June 26, 2018 being that you already have the leds i would look at this https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-hybrid-t5ho-4x54w-fixture-with-led-mounting-system-aquatic-life.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhOU June 26, 2018 Share June 26, 2018 I just added a t5 retrofit kit from BRS, to my reefbreeders 48”. I’m currently running a coral+ and actinic (also have a blue+, still trying to decide what combo i like better). The kit was only $130, if you don’t mind a little diy. Very happy with it so far. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/t5-ho-miro-4-retrofit-kit-let-lighting.html Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razzpatazzz June 26, 2018 Author Share June 26, 2018 being that you already have the leds i would look at this https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-hybrid-t5ho-4x54w-fixture-with-led-mounting-system-aquatic-life.html If you want to make the trek to Fredericksburg, I have a 48" AquaticLife over a 75g with a pair of Kessils right now. I'm using 2 Blue+, and AquaBlue Special, and a Purple+ which gives a 12k'ish look. The Kessils are running at 60% color which is around 14k (I'm not in to blue tanks). Some of my thoughts on the fixture: Dislikes The finish is actually pretty good, the fit leaves a bit to be desired Reflectors have a nice polish but are a simple ^ design and dont reflect nearly as well as something from the likes of ATI or even the LET retrofits due to the shape The above mentioned hanging cables will work fine if you live in a hobbit house... Cables exiting both sides vs a single cable off the back sucks but it cut the overall cost and is fairly easy to modify End caps for the T5s are pretty cheesy Edit: The power cords are short as well Likes It is light weight and easy to assemble Simple integration of LEDs with T5s that looks pretty clean all said and done I wouldn't run it unless it was under a canopy personally but that kind of defeats the purpose of the fixture. Yeah this is the one I was looking at since I don't have a canopy. If I decided to go hybrid LED/T5 instead of T5's I think this is definitely the fixture I'm shooting for Also that's a lot of cons LOL. Would you still recommend it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molcott June 26, 2018 Share June 26, 2018 I'd just add a 3rd xr15 and call it a day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve175 June 26, 2018 Share June 26, 2018 +1 for T5/LED combo. I run T5 Actinics with MH and absolutely love them. Run LED on Frag tank with great growth. The combo would be awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elwallacejr June 26, 2018 Share June 26, 2018 I have a 36 inch aquatic life with a kessil 360 and two gen3 xr15’s over a deep blue 80 frag. I’m around Friday during the day in Bethesda. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razzpatazzz June 26, 2018 Author Share June 26, 2018 I'd just add a 3rd xr15 and call it a day Yeah that's also something I've considered. It's just the T5s give me far better spread and doesn't create shadows where my current light does so that's why I'm mostly interested. Maybe if I add 1or 2 additional LED fixtures it wouldn't be an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razzpatazzz June 26, 2018 Author Share June 26, 2018 I have a 36 inch aquatic life with a kessil 360 and two gen3 xr15’s over a deep blue 80 frag. I’m around Friday during the day in Bethesda. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Thank you for offering! But bethesda is a little too far for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madweazl June 26, 2018 Share June 26, 2018 Yeah this is the one I was looking at since I don't have a canopy. If I decided to go hybrid LED/T5 instead of T5's I think this is definitely the fixture I'm shooting for Also that's a lot of cons LOL. Would you still recommend it? I think you get a lot for the money with the fixture and from a functionality standpoint, it works. If you can deal with the look of the fixture, I do think it will last for years (certainly worth the $300 price tag for the 48") and you can do some modifications to tidy it up. I grabbed it because it wouldnt be visible and it would also be easy to slide out of the way during maintenance. Yeah that's also something I've considered. It's just the T5s give me far better spread and doesn't create shadows where my current light does so that's why I'm mostly interested. Maybe if I add 1or 2 additional LED fixtures it wouldn't be an issue. I've always like T5 and other than the flat look, they really dont have any negatives. With that said, I think the shading many people complain about is blown WAY out of proportion in regard to SPS health. If it's the aesthetics of the shadows that bug you, fair enough. I personally love them because it adds more depth and dimension to the display and the shadows of the fish on the rock and sand just make it that much more life-like. The below image was over exposed to show the underside of the coral. While the colony is far from large today, there still isnt any necrosis on the underside of this coral. The experiment is dead in the water now that the AquaticLife fixture is over the tank but I just dont buy the notion that shading is remotely the issue some believe it to be. I believe flow is exponentially more important and in that regard. 29 Dec 2017 9 June 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowieReefer84 June 26, 2018 Share June 26, 2018 +1 for T5/LED combo. I run T5 Actinics with MH and absolutely love them. Run LED on Frag tank with great growth. The combo would be awesome. Pictures? Still running the dual bowfronts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razzpatazzz June 26, 2018 Author Share June 26, 2018 I think you get a lot for the money with the fixture and from a functionality standpoint, it works. If you can deal with the look of the fixture, I do think it will last for years (certainly worth the $300 price tag for the 48") and you can do some modifications to tidy it up. I grabbed it because it wouldnt be visible and it would also be easy to slide out of the way during maintenance. I've always like T5 and other than the flat look, they really dont have any negatives. With that said, I think the shading many people complain about is blown WAY out of proportion in regard to SPS health. If it's the aesthetics of the shadows that bug you, fair enough. I personally love them because it adds more depth and dimension to the display and the shadows of the fish on the rock and sand just make it that much more life-like. The below image was over exposed to show the underside of the coral. While the colony is far from large today, there still isnt any necrosis on the underside of this coral. The experiment is dead in the water now that the AquaticLife fixture is over the tank but I just dont buy the notion that shading is remotely the issue some believe it to be. I believe flow is exponentially more important and in that regard. 29 Dec 2017 9 June 2018 Yeah it's definitely an aesthetic thing for me, I don't like all the dark spots between rocks or ridges. That and the sharpness makes it hard to look at certain colored corals. We'll see how I feel after seeing the T5 tanks. Also I do see what you mean by the look, and I like how the ATI looks like 10x more. Strongly considering just switching based on the aesthetic only since it's in the living room. That and the cords on opposite sides might look a bit too messy snaking everywhere Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime June 26, 2018 Share June 26, 2018 The only thing that will change about my lighting will be the addition of a Reef Brite XHO, which will integrate seamlessly with the ATI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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