Elizabeth94 Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 As some may know, I have a fusion 20 on order and will be transferring everything from my 10. I only have one AI Prime as of right now. Stocking for this tank: SPS and some LPS that I already have I don't like the idea of ONE single AI Prime on this tank. I would love to try out T5's. I thought about just getting a second Prime, but I don't really want to do that. Don't get me wrong, I love the prime, but I feel that I could be getting even better colors with some T5 bulbs. If the fusion 20 was your tank, would you.. A: Just buy a second AI Prime B: Use the single AI Prime and add a small, 2 bulb T5 fixture for supplement (Like the AquaticLife Marquis Dual Lamp at MarineDepot) C: Just suck it up and get the ATI- keeping in mind that I will be upgrading again to something that is bigger anyway. Money isn't an issue, but at the same time I don't want to be out of control with this tank. Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 I would go with an ATI fixture. The spread from T5s is second to none IMO. Im not saying you can't achieve incredible tanks with LEDs, but I tried a few high end fixtures before trying an ATI Sunpower and ended up staying there after seeing positive responses Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted July 12, 2016 Author Share Posted July 12, 2016 Do you think spending $600 on a fusion 20 for lighting is a little bit extreme? I am not convinced that going full blown T5, for that price, would be much better than just adding a 2bulb fixture with my Prime. Btw- the one I am looking at has 6 bulbs. Can I just run four of the bulbs for this little tank? (IF I go with the ati) I would go with an ATI fixture. Link to comment
Cencalfishguy56 Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 Do you think spending $600 on a fusion 20 for lighting is a little bit extreme? I am not convinced that going full blown T5, for that price, would be much better than just adding a 2bulb fixture with my Prime. Btw- the one I am looking at has 6 bulbs. Can I just run four of the bulbs for this little tank? (IF I go with the ati) 2 bulb with a prime is my vote, or a 4 bulb but 6 is overkill IMO Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted July 12, 2016 Author Share Posted July 12, 2016 This is the 2 bulb I was looking at. Cheap as heck, but I figure that on such a small tank, the T5s would still work okay. http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticLife_Marquis_Marine_Dual_Lamp_T5_HO_Light_Fixture_24_Inch_T5_Fluorescent_Light_Fixtures-AquaticLife-AK01301-FILTFIT54U-vi.html Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted July 13, 2016 Author Share Posted July 13, 2016 2 bulb with a prime is my vote, or a 4 bulb but 6 is overkill IMO What if I got the six bulb ATI and used just four bulbs? Can I do that? I know I will be upgrading in the next year or two again to a larger system- 50 or 60gallons Link to comment
uwdanno Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 What if I got the six bulb ATI and used just four bulbs? Can I do that? I know I will be upgrading in the next year or two again to a larger system- 50 or 60gallons Why do anything if this tank is just temporary? IMO it I was planning to upgrade- just run the prime and make this a badass softie, euphy, LPS tank. I wouldn't limit myself in the future by trying to buy equipment to use now for a tank later. Good luck. Link to comment
Cencalfishguy56 Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 What if I got the six bulb ATI and used just four bulbs? Can I do that? I know I will be upgrading in the next year or two again to a larger system- 50 or 60gallons Why do anything if this tank is just temporary? IMO it I was planning to upgrade- just run the prime and make this a badass softie, euphy, LPS tank. I wouldn't limit myself in the future by trying to buy equipment to use now for a tank later. Good luck. what he said lol Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted July 13, 2016 Author Share Posted July 13, 2016 Hmm.. I will need another light regardless. If I just have one light, it would not be enough at 100% while having it higher off the surface to get the spread I need of my current sps. (acro is about 8" away from the light running ~85%) Thanks guys for the comments. I didn't want to jump the gun without seeing what other people would do. If anything, I might just get a cheap 2 bulb and supplement the single Prime and see how my sps do. Right now they are fine but I know I could get more color out of them. ill have to stop thinking about it for a bit and give my brain a break. Link to comment
Clown79 Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 I have 1 Ai on a 15g 24" long. No shadowing at all. I have a mixed reef. I've seen a lot of 20g IM with only 1 kessil or 1 prime with no issues. I think the reason why so many have issues with bleaching or melting their corals- overkill on lighting. Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 I have 1 Ai on a 15g 24" long. No shadowing at all. I have a mixed reef. I've seen a lot of 20g IM with only 1 kessil or 1 prime with no issues. I think the reason why so many have issues with bleaching or melting their corals- overkill on lighting. Hello Clown! I have already purchased an ATI 4bulb Sunpower for this tank. I liked my prime, but it just wasnt' that great for sps. They lived and had good polyp extension, but they never colored up as much as I wanted. When I get the new unit in I will be able to see how much my sps change from the prime, to the T5 unit! It should be here in a couple of days, so excited! Link to comment
Clown79 Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 To be honest- the hype on Prime is disappointing so far for me. Its a nice light but so far I don't have any better colouration than with my par38. It was my reason for upgrading and yet things look less colourful. I loved my t5ho's! I had them when they first became popular- i had growth, colouration, and kept everything with no issue. You'll be happy with t5. Link to comment
reefist Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 I know you already pulled the trigger on the T5 but a Nanobox hybrid would be the best of both worlds. Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share Posted July 20, 2016 I know you already pulled the trigger on the T5 but a Nanobox hybrid would be the best of both worlds. Yeah I have seen the hybrid, but for a tank this size I would only be able to fit two T5s If I had LEDs in the fixture. Defeats the point of going to T5s. However, If my tank was larger I would jump on a hybrid! Link to comment
gus6464 Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 https://www.amazon.com/Agrobrite-FLT24-Fixture-Included-Fluorescent/dp/B002JQBQZQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1469053804&sr=8-5&keywords=hydrofarm+t5 I used the 4 bulb model on a 23g tank and still have the light. Good stuff for the price. Link to comment
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