T5 users

[BioMan]

I can't find a thread that can help me, so here it is:
I would like to know i have a 4'x2'x2' tank I've been working on setting up and the canopy came with 4 36" T5HO That I'm using and since they came on 2 separate ballasts i spread them so the first 2 bulbs are over the rear, a 48" Marineland Reefready LED (with the timer) in the middle then 2 bulbs over the front. so from back to front its actinic-10kwhite-LED bar-magenta-actinic
Is this setup good for a mixed reef with fish or should I get 48" T5s?

 

[mguili1947]

get 48" 6 bulb if you go reef

 

[BioMan]

I was going to go with a straight 6 bulb setup but haven't found a way to dim a T5 yet and *spoiler alert* in this build I'm doing a lot of research into non-photosynthetic corals and real bottom of the ocean type stuff and would like to look at them amongst others under the POP you get from the half dozen blue LEDs on the bar.

 

[mbg75]

ATI makes a dimmable t5. They don't recommend any of their lights to be run in a canopy.

 

[cryptics]

ATI makes a dimmable t5. They don't recommend any of their lights to be run in a canopy.

Do you mean any fixtures or the bulbs? I am running ATI bulbs in a retrofit to a canopy and have no problems

 

[ChrisB]

I have a 75 gallon I went with a 6 bulb ati dimmable with a 48" super atinic strip from build my led.

 

[mbg75]

Do you mean any fixtures or the bulbs? I am running ATI bulbs in a retrofit to a canopy and have no problems

Fixture

 

[BioMan]

I'd prefer no canopy. .. You think somebody would trade me something for it is Black and has the front flip up hinge really solid but not ideal for me.

 

[mguili1947]

I run the same setup as Chris B great growth and great color.
1 ATI Coral plus
1ATI purple plus
4 ATI Blue
Reef Bright strip