Decent 36" T5s anymore?

[dutch27]

I upgraded from a 20L with a reefbreeders value LED to a 40B, kept the same light. While I like the light and it has more than enough output for my needs, the spread isn't wide enough for a 40B. I like the color options of T5s more, and wanted to get a 36" T5 to replace this light, but nobody makes anything decent anymore for reasonable prices it seems.

 

Any opinions on decent T5s these days? The Nova Extremes aren't made anymore, the Coralife 4-bulbs I believe do not have individual reflectors, and are out of stock when I search around (are they being discontinued?). I'm leaning towards just getting another Value LED to get the coverage, probably the most cost effective. My goal on this tank was simplicity, I got tired of reactors, skimmers, dosing, etc, so I want simple, low-cost, and effective lighting.

 

In terms of corals, it's a basic mixed reef, little bit of everything.

[evilc66]

Wavepoint T5 fixtures are going to be about the best value for money outside of a retro kit. Decent reflectors, but certainly not to the level of ATI or others.

[gulfsurfer101]

Wavepoint is the same as those ebay leds imo with the exception of a decent reflector. I got my hands on a retrofit by them. One ballast was bad and the other blew during a test run. I replaced both ballasts with a programmed start 4 bulb ballast and replaced the endcaps with non shunted sockets which wasn't easy to mount. You could buy an ebay fixture and call it a day or gut it like me and upgrade ballasts sockets and bulbs but you'll be at the cost of a higher end fixture. I was able to spread out my upgrades over the course of time as my 75g isn't even up yet.

[dutch27]

Thanks for the replies. I did some retro work on a Nova Extreme 8-bulb I ran over 120 a couple years ago when the fans broke down (added DC fans that were quieter and moved more air), and I'm not looking to get into that again. That light even caught fire one day (not from my handy work, it was at an end-cap). Great light though, grew anything I wanted under it in a 120. Not a big fan of the Wavepoint as it doesn't have any active cooling built into it, so knowing myself I'd end up trying to cut holes in things to install a fan.

 

Seems I keep coming around to adding a second reefbreeder LED. It'll be wider coverage than I need, but at $200 with optics, it's probably the best bang for my buck. Overall I like the light I have now, so it'll work out.

[Sunar357]

I prefer T5 myself now but if you want more spread out of the RB fixture you can remove the lenses and get more spread if you haven't already.

[Ken0]

Have you seen the Euroquatics T5HO LED replacement bulbs? No mods to light fixture required. 3 year warranty, 8 year bulb life.

[markalot]

Have you seen the Euroquatics T5HO LED replacement bulbs? No mods to light fixture required. 3 year warranty, 8 year bulb life.

 

But most importantly they are NOT T5 with all the goodness T5 provides.

 

If one is committed to going T5 I really don't think the cost of the ATI fixtures is that much compared to the cost of ownership. Longer bulb life will pay for itself over time, but it really depends on if you need that much light. A 4 bulb ATI would work fine over a 40 breeder IMO, the combination of active cooling and really good reflectors puts a lot of PAR into the tank.

[dutch27]

Have you seen the Euroquatics T5HO LED replacement bulbs? No mods to light fixture required. 3 year warranty, 8 year bulb life.

 

I did some reading that indicate those tubes use some weak LEDs and don't put out much PAR. Also to what markalot said, they won't match true T5s. I've run every type of light over the years, and T5 is easily the winner for color and success with every type of coral. LED is still a bit of an experiment for me. My results are mixed - some corals do great, some awful.

[CronicReefer]

I just bought an Aquatic Life T5 fixture and am happy with it so far but everyone is going to recommend you use ATI bulbs as they are the best for output. You can find a 4 bulb 36" fixture on amazon for $330 but it will cost you another $120 for the ATI bulbs. I also use another T5 fixture for my terrarium that is made by Sunblaster. They are basically single T5 strips with individual reflectors and built in ballast that can be daisy chained together to create multiple lighting channels and at only $35 each they are a great deal. Again you would have to buy ATI bulbs but both of these would be cheaper alternatives to most of the T5 fixtures on the market.

[dutch27]

FWIW, after much debate, and staring unhappily at my LED tank with zero growth in the past few months, I ordered a 4-bulb 36" ATI fixture. 2 coral+, 1 blue+, 1 Fiji Purple. Pretty excited, should get me happy with the appearance of the tank again, and hopefully get things growing. I've missed T5 and will be happy to have them back.

[03glide]

I just bought t5ho grow light on ebay 24"/4 bulb for my 29gal. biocube $69 free shipping 3 ATI blue+ and 1 ATI coral+ $80 working great and performaning!!

[plainrt]

I just bought t5ho grow light on ebay 24"/4 bulb for my 29gal. biocube $69 free shipping 3 ATI blue+ and 1 ATI coral+ $80 working great and performaning!!

 

Take a par reading on that baby........ I been there done that. 100 par at surface lmao........

[mrbigshot]

i agree on the limited option. i ended up getting a used jbj trinity for my 40br. not the best but at least it has ind. reflectors. i have everything for a 6x36 retro just didn't want to build a canopy.

you will be happy with that ati for sure.