T5 lighting advice/reccomendations?

[BudgetR33f]

I‘m thinking of switching to T5 from LED (nicrew 100) just because it seems cheaper and so I can actually center my tank on my stand without the metal mounting option pushing it away from the wall. Any advice/recommendations on what T5s to get? My tank is 20g and I believe I use 27.5w (50% blue and 5% white on a 100w light).

 

[oreo54]

I‘m thinking of switching to T5 from LED (nicrew 100) just because it seems cheaper and so I can actually center my tank on my stand without the metal mounting option pushing it away from the wall. Any advice/recommendations on what T5s to get? My tank is 20g and I believe I use 27.5w (50% blue and 5% white on a 100w light).

Most current t5's are either suspended or placed on the glass top.
The standard 20 is like 30 x 13 x 13.
So at best a 24" t5.
See Amazon:

Odyssea T5 Dual Marine Aquarium Light FOWLR Cichlid (24")​

​

Fortunately it comes with a 10000k white and an actinic blue bulb for $60.
Bulbs are 24w each.
Oddly I cant find how far the legs extent to. So don't know if it will fit a 30" tank.
Second flea bay has 4 bulb units. $70.. Some just have 6500k bulbs supplied with it.

Odyssea T5 Quad Aquarium Fish Light HO LED White Blue Marine Cichlid 24 36 48 72 | eBay

An aluminum reflector is used to increase reflectivity over other materials. All parts are plug and play for easy maintenance. 110V only. Optional hanging kit is available for those that needs to suspend the fixture.

www.ebay.com

OR (4 tube $154):
Amazon product

An actual 30-36" Nicrew bar light is only $58 for 32 watts.

NICREW Saltwater Aquarium Light, Marine LED Fish Tank Light for Coral Reef Tanks, 2-Channel Timer Included, 30 to 36-Inch, 32-Watt​

Amazon product

 

[PharmrJohn]

While I'm a big fan of T5s, I wouldn't get one new. The only reason I am gonna use my old Tek 8x54W fixture is that I got a great deal on a round of bulbs on clearance. But after the bulbs are done, I'm going LED. T5s bulbs are becoming harder to get as they are being phased out. And I no longer like the idea of spending a couple hundred dollars per round of bulbs. Feels like throwing money away.

 

[BudgetR33f]

Any thoughts on two kessil a80s? The tank is a 20g high by the way, i forgot to mention that

 

[BudgetR33f]

I didn’t really think about the fact I would have to replace the bulbs, so I’m starting to lean away from t5 now

 

[bobnicaragua]

What kind of corals are you planning to keep?

 

[BudgetR33f]

What kind of corals are you planning to keep?

Right now I have hammers, zoas, gsp, anacropora, and a monty cap

 

[BudgetR33f]

It should work right? Total that would be 24x24 spread, and 30 watts I believe

 

[oreo54]

Any thoughts on two kessil a80s? The tank is a 20g high by the way, i forgot to mention that

Yea I usually ask for dimension B4 listing "stuff".
Since it was 30" and the the other 24" many lights have the same outcome.
24x12x16
The t5's are the same choices. They just fit better.

Considering each Kessil would ( or could) be set for a 12x12 area...yea should work
At a total of 30 watts ( and 16 deep) it's a bit weak depending on your goals.
I don't see it as an upgrade over the Nicrew though.
More of a style change with a bit better l/ r spread.

 

[BudgetR33f]

Atva total of 30 watts ( and 16bdeep) it's a bit weak depending on your goals.
I don't see it as an upgrade over the Nicrew though.
More of a style change with a bit better l/ r spread.

Do you think I could possibly keep acropora with the a80s if I add them in the upper 3rd of the tank? Or is there another led light $200-300 you could recommend. Sorry for not specifying the tank dimensions earlier btw.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Make sure you can get the tubes you need first

Most of the German tubes have gone bye bye, or will be soon

 

[BudgetR33f]

Make sure you can get the tubes you need first

Most of the German tubes have gone bye bye, or will be soon

I decided i don’t really want t5s anymore because i’d rather get my lighting set up and let it be

 

[Solo McReefer]

I decided i don’t really want t5s anymore because i’d rather get my lighting set up and let it be

Haha

Don't want to be changing non existing tubes every 6 months?

Come on, Si Se Puede

 

[oreo54]

Do you think I could possibly keep acropora with the a80s if I add them in the upper 3rd of the tank? Or is there another led light $200-300 you could recommend. Sorry for not specifying the tank dimensions earlier btw.

Not my call.
There are a lot of lights u could recommend based on general principals.
Many are social pariahs.
Take this light .
Or actually say 2 if them for slightly over $100.
So 48 w total
Lists par at 98 @ 12 for a single light.
Spectrums decent though not earth shattering..
Lists good for soft/ lps for ONE

Negatives...takes up space and close to the water surface but no hardware on the back or need to suspend it.
Compare to the below ..

PAR level results for 2 x Kessil A80’s on a 20 gallon tank

I recently started putting together a 20 gallon reef tank and wanted to find pleasing, affordable, reliable lighting without the disco ball effect. After considering a plethora of options, I decided the Kessil shimmer was simply too seductive, however the A360X was too pricey. It got me...

www.reef2reef.com

Luckily I found a pair of like new A80’s with goosenecks and a controller for $250, set it up, and rented an Apogee MQ-510 PAR meter.
Here are the results with intensity at 100% and the lights 7” above the surface:

Pure Blue
Back Left / Right 40
Front Left / Right 90
Front Middle 100
Middle 4.5” below surface 130
Middle 2” below surface 170

Oh yea the one I listed us a Nicrew classic"

 

[bobnicaragua]

Do you think I could possibly keep acropora with the a80s if I add them in the upper 3rd of the tank? Or is there another led light $200-300 you could recommend. Sorry for not specifying the tank dimensions earlier btw.

2 a80s are pretty weak for acros and would have a lot of shadowing. You will probably need to suppliment them with additional A80s, T5 or LED strips.

 

[vcnt]

Make sure you can get the tubes you need first

Most of the German tubes have gone bye bye, or will be soon

Why are the german tubes going bye bye?

 

[BudgetR33f]

Not my call.
There are a lot of lights u could recommend based on general principals.
Many are social pariahs.
Take this light .
Or actually say 2 if them for slightly over $100.
So 48 w total
Lists par at 98 @ 12 for a single light.
Spectrums decent though not earth shattering..
Lists good for soft/ lps for ONE

Negatives...takes up space and close to the water surface but no hardware on the back or need to suspend it.
Compare to the below ..

PAR level results for 2 x Kessil A80’s on a 20 gallon tank

I recently started putting together a 20 gallon reef tank and wanted to find pleasing, affordable, reliable lighting without the disco ball effect. After considering a plethora of options, I decided the Kessil shimmer was simply too seductive, however the A360X was too pricey. It got me...

www.reef2reef.com

Oh yea the one I listed us a Nicrew classic"

I kind of want to stray away from nicrew because their control, spectrum, and looks are not so great imo

 

[BudgetR33f]

The AI Blade Grow seems almost perfect for me but I‘m worried about the par even though AI recommends the 21 inch (40w) for my tank size. I also have an AI 16hd on my frag tank, so it would be easier to control both. Could someone comment on if this would be enough

 

[BudgetR33f]

Or should I get the cheaper ai blade and swap that with the ai prime on my 10g frag tank to add to my 20g display?

 

[Solo McReefer]

Why are the german tubes going bye bye?

I have had admins tell me to stay positive

And not make negative posts