Schnitzels ATI 5x25 T5/LED HYBRID

[SchnitzelReef]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/31/7y8utuqa.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/31/jabene9a.jpg
Got my LEDs

Gunna work on this build a little at a time. Build the whole LED section first.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/31/5usahase.jpg
12-royal blues
6-normal blues
5-420nm actinic
3-6500k white
2-660nm red
Running 60* optics

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/31/ytypu6u3.jpg

2- Mean Well APC-35-700 (non dimmable)

This is gunna be on my frag tank, so I'm not too worried about sunrise/sunset, and I want all LEDs running at 100%

So far, total investment is:
$170 for the ATI fixture (I traded him my Reefbreeders led fixture, plus shipping)

$100 in LEDs and drivers and fan

$20 ATI coral+ bulb

Not as fancy as the new ati led powermodule, but I'm not even close to $1000!! :)

I have the tools and spare aluminum c channel to finish the install.

[SchnitzelReef]

Title is supposed to say 5x24***

[SchnitzelReef]

Decided to make it a 4bulb. It wasn't gunna work just removing 1 bulb. This way is less electricity and 1 less bulb to worry about.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/01/yteje2a9.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/01/7yreqyge.jpg


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/01/urymy5a5.jpg


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http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/01/utu9asep.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/01/9y4uzese.jpg

[SchnitzelReef]

While the glue is drying, I'm gunna clean up the fans and reflectors.

I don't know why more people don't do this to their t5 fixture. Less bulbs to worry about, less electricity and shimmer. I used to run my t5s about 10 hours. Now I'm gunna run LEDs for 10 and t5s for 6. That's a big savings each month on my electricity

[Michigan Mike]

Very nice job so far .

I may add 2 led strips to the housing of my 4x24 Sunpower.

Question- how do you get the acrylic shield back on?

[SchnitzelReef]

Very nice job so far .

I may add 2 led strips to the housing of my 4x24 Sunpower.

Question- how do you get the acrylic shield back on?

Its Not gunna fit. I worked on it for about 5 minutes and then said screw it. The tank is rimless, and the lights hang pretty high...so I don't think I really need it. I could try to rig something to work, but it would be pretty hokey.

There won't be any water splashing into this fixture.

[uncleof6]

While the glue is drying, I'm gunna clean up the fans and reflectors.

I don't know why more people don't do this to their t5 fixture. Less bulbs to worry about, less electricity and shimmer. I used to run my t5s about 10 hours. Now I'm gunna run LEDs for 10 and t5s for 6. That's a big savings each month on my electricity

Well, ATI is the best T5 fixture/lighting on the market, or put another way: that money can buy. Aside from that, T5 does a better job than LEDs hands down, no competition. You may save on the electric bill, but LEDs are not a proven technology, and has a long ways to go before it can ever compete with T5 and MH. Just the way it is. That is why folks don't do it more often. Nothing can beat a T5 lit healthy reef. LEDs are an internet fad, T5 and MH are still the main stream.

[SchnitzelReef]

Well, ATI is the best T5 fixture/lighting on the market, or put another way: that money can buy. Aside from that, T5 does a better job than LEDs hands down, no competition. You may save on the electric bill, but LEDs are not a proven technology, and has a long ways to go before it can ever compete with T5 and MH. Just the way it is. That is why folks don't do it more often. Nothing can beat a T5 lit healthy reef. LEDs are an internet fad, T5 and MH are still the main stream.

Sorry. Ur in the wrong thread. This isn't a debate on how awesome ur lights are. This is a build thread. Keep ur led opinions to your self.

Ps. I guess since LEDs are just an interet fad, ATI is just buying into a fad? You do know ATI makes a t5/led hybrid right? And seeing as how they are "the best t5 fixture on the market" u would think they would stick with what's best....T5s????!!!?

[Jstkeepswimmin]

Hate when 80 year old grampa reefers discover the internet. Rofl, leds aren't a proven technology. Ok man keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile for the last 5 years people have been running them without hesitation.

OP your fixture looks awesome, I dI'd the same 4/4 setup with my Tek fixture 3 years ago, and never looked back. Best of both worlds with shimmer and spectrum, as well as cost savings. Keep reefin' on!

[SchnitzelReef]

K that's it for a few hours. The glue hasn't dried. I cut and stripped all my wires. Now I just need to solder and I'm pretty much done.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/01/ruhe3e8y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/01/esyjyryj.jpg

Im super stoked. It's gunna look titties

[flamron]

How are 14 3w LEDs less electricity than one 24w T5? Looks like you've pulled out 48 watts and replaced it with 82 watts of LEDs (both strips).

I would also consider going to the dimmable drivers. It will make the transition a lot easier and keep you from burning up any frags.

How many fans you putting in there to cool everything? I saw one I think up in your pics. May need a couple depending on how warm the fixture runs.

Everything looks great - I was close to doing this, but just bought the hybrid ATI fixture instead so I wouldn't have to DIY any of it.

[SchnitzelReef]

Hate when 80 year old grampa reefers discover the internet. Rofl, leds aren't a proven technology. Ok man keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile for the last 5 years people have been running them without hesitation.

OP your fixture looks awesome, I dI'd the same 4/4 setup with my Tek fixture 3 years ago, and never looked back. Best of both worlds with shimmer and spectrum, as well as cost savings. Keep reefin' on!

Ya man. I totally agree. I've been running t5/led for almost 2 years on my 180g. SPS look awesome.

[SchnitzelReef]

How are 14 3w LEDs less electricity than one 24w T5? Looks like you've pulled out 48 watts and replaced it with 82 watts of LEDs (both strips).

I would also consider going to the dimmable drivers. It will make the transition a lot easier and keep you from burning up any frags.

How many fans you putting in there to cool everything? I saw one I think up in your pics. May need a couple depending on how warm the fixture runs.

Everything looks great - I was close to doing this, but just bought the hybrid ATI fixture instead so I wouldn't have to DIY any of it.

I'm taking out 2-24w bulbs. And replacing it with 28-3w LEDs. But I'm not running them at 3w. I'm only running them at 700mah. But right now I'm running t5s for 12 hours. I'll prolly end up running LEDs for 8 hours and t5s for 4 hours.

Plus u have to think about buying 6 t5 bulbs a year vs 4.

[flamron]

The luxeons have a forward voltage of 2.8 watts @ 700mA. So that's 78 watts.

Cutting the hours down should help considerably, though, and the $50 a year bulb replacement costs are nice to avoid as well.

Have you thought about going with dimmable drivers at all?

One meanwell 60-48d would drive all 28 LEDs in parallel at about 550mA (guessing). It'd be dimmable, too.

[SchnitzelReef]

The luxeons have a forward voltage of 2.8 watts @ 700mA. So that's 78 watts.

Cutting the hours down should help considerably, though, and the $50 a year bulb replacement costs are nice to avoid as well.

Have you thought about going with dimmable drivers at all?

One meanwell 60-48d would drive all 28 LEDs in parallel at about 550mA (guessing). It'd be dimmable, too.

Thanks for the tip. This ain't my first rodeo. Lol
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/01/9ujatare.jpg

I have a DIY hybrid over my 180

This is for my frag tank. Don't care about them being dimmable. I won't be running any optics till frags get acclimated to the lights. I prefer running them in series vs parallel.

[SchnitzelReef]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/01/py8y3y3u.jpg

[dorky]

i like the idea of hybrid i thought bout doing it but $$$$ is what stop me and also the rest of the pics do not show up

[uncleof6]

Sorry. Ur in the wrong thread. This isn't a debate on how awesome ur lights are. This is a build thread. Keep ur led opinions to your self.

Ps. I guess since LEDs are just an interet fad, ATI is just buying into a fad? You do know ATI makes a t5/led hybrid right? And seeing as how they are "the best t5 fixture on the market" u would think they would stick with what's best....T5s????!!!?

On the contrary, I am not and was not in the wrong thread. You posted a somewhat rehtorical question perhaps, but none-the-less:

"I don't know why more people don't do this to their t5 fixture."

I responded with a valid, experienced answer to the query. The point being that not many would care to butcher an expensive light fixture, that despite what ATI is currently delving into, is a better—time tested—technology for marine aquaculture. I do not recall saying anything about "my lights," and yes manufacturers buy into fads all the time. Just look at bubble plates in skimmers for one example—one of the largest "me too" scams in the hobby. Also, I communicated my thoughts using proper english.

When you post something in an open forum, or anywhere on the internet for that matter, you have to be prepared for the responses to what you post, and quite often the response will not be an oooo and awe, rather a direct answer to what you have posted—it may not be exactly favorable to what your doing. Whether you like the comment or not is irrelevent. Not liking it, does not give you license to respond in the manner in which you have.

Hate when 80 year old grampa reefers discover the internet. Rofl, leds aren't a proven technology. Ok man keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile for the last 5 years people have been running them without hesitation.

I may be 80, I may not be, however, how do you think making personal attacks towards others helps your cause? Plenty of folks have been using "lesser" technologies for years due to "internet appeal," or just plain not having the facts straight.

What needs to be thought about, is us "80 year old GRANDPA reefers" pioneered this hobby, and the technologies making what you do today possible; WE developed the technology that allows you to get on this forum and post as if you know everything, and we know nothing. ;)

[SchnitzelReef]

On the contrary, I am not and was not in the wrong thread. You posted a somewhat rehtorical question perhaps, but none-the-less:

"I don't know why more people don't do this to their t5 fixture."

I responded with a valid, experienced answer to the query. The point being that not many would care to butcher an expensive light fixture, that despite what ATI is currently delving into, is a better—time tested—technology for marine aquaculture. I do not recall saying anything about "my lights," and yes manufacturers buy into fads all the time. Just look at bubble plates in skimmers for one example—one of the largest "me too" scams in the hobby. Also, I communicated my thoughts using proper english.

When you post something in an open forum, or anywhere on the internet for that matter, you have to be prepared for the responses to what you post, and quite often the response will not be an oooo and awe, rather a direct answer to what you have posted—it may not be exactly favorable to what your doing. Whether you like the comment or not is irrelevent. Not liking it, does not give you license to respond in the manner in which you have.



I may be 80, I may not be, however, how do you think making personal attacks towards others helps your cause? Plenty of folks have been using "lesser" technologies for years due to "internet appeal," or just plain not having the facts straight.

What needs to be thought about, is us "80 year old GRANDPA reefers" pioneered this hobby, and the technologies making what you do today possible; WE developed the technology that allows you to get on this forum and post as if you know everything, and we know nothing. ;)

Thanks for your awesome post. Your knowledge on reefing is amazing. Here's a cookie for pioneering saltwater tanks. We owe u everything.

I'm actually gunna throw away the LEDs and put the t5s back in. Thank you

[SchnitzelReef]

Here's my parts list for those wondering what it takes to build this.

-28 LEDs from Steve's LEDs .com
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/01/2aze9a8e.jpg
-Aluminum c channel from Home Depot (heatsink)
-simple L brackets from Home Depot to mount the c channel
-2 meanwell APC 35-700 drivers (non dimmable)
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/01/yvyba5ev.jpg

Wire,wire stripper, solder,soldering iron, thermal adhesive, nuts,bolts, screws,

That's it's. pretty simple

[flamron]

Do you know where Steve sources his LEDs?

We did a group buy with FEDY a couple years ago. A friend also bought some LEDs from SATIS. The FEDY LEDs were much higher quality based on PAR.

Wonder if Steve sources his from one of those groups or some other China manufacturer.

[SchnitzelReef]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/02/y3y4evy3.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/02/e5u8ana9.jpg

[SchnitzelReef]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/02/9yhaty8e.jpg

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http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/02/tyqete6e.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/02/ehugutyd.jpg

[kentmoney]

nice build. T5s plus LEDs seems like the future to replace MH.

You get the proven growth potential and color of T5s, and the LED is just he icing on top with shimmer, controllability, and power too! Oh yeah, and both run cooler than MH.

Lookin forward to seeing this over the tank. Can you show us more of your 180 with the hybrid lighting?

[ruseyrek]

I built one of these using my dimmable ATI 6x54w about 6 months ago, but took out 4 bulbs instead of 2 and put in 48 x 3W Bridgelux chips and 8 MeanWell drivers, works great, I love the savings and the color.
Stock fans not quite able to cool completely but keep the temps at acceptable levels.

[JMMJ13902]

Awesome build.... Will be mimic your design.

[Big E]

Your pictures aren't showing up.............may be just me.............posts 22 and 23.

What color LEDs are you going with? I'm planning something like this and plan to only focus on RB and blue for the leds....maybe a few in the 420 range.

The T5 bulbs will supply the white and other colors needed.

[SchnitzelReef]

Overall I'd say I'm super happy with this build. Turned out better then I had hoped. And for the amount of money and time I have invested, it's a pretty good deal.

The shimmer from the LEDs is so awesome, even in a little frag tank. SPS seem to be adjusting well. I'm now running the t5s for 5 hours a day, and LEDs for 12. I think the Luxeon LEDs put out a much better color then the bridgelux. I will def be using these LEDs for my next build

[SchnitzelReef]

nice build. T5s plus LEDs seems like the future to replace MH.

You get the proven growth potential and color of T5s, and the LED is just he icing on top with shimmer, controllability, and power too! Oh yeah, and both run cooler than MH.

Lookin forward to seeing this over the tank. Can you show us more of your 180 with the hybrid lighting?

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/15/qa9amu4e.jpg

I'm running 90 bridgelux and 4-80w t5s. Now seeing the difference between bridgelux on my 180 and Luxeon on my frag tank, it makes me want to sell the bridgelux setup use Luxeon.

My corals look great under this setup. From zoos to SPS, all the colors are natural and very bright.

[SchnitzelReef]

Your pictures aren't showing up.............may be just me.............posts 22 and 23.

What color LEDs are you going with? I'm planning something like this and plan to only focus on RB and blue for the leds....maybe a few in the 420 range.

The T5 bulbs will supply the white and other colors needed.

The reason I chose to throw in 3 whites, was so that it wasnt SUPER blue when the t5s are off. Unless u plan on always running the t5s and LEDs together, it's something to think about. When my t5s are off, the tank is a nice 18-20k. If I didn't add the 3 whites it might be 22k+, which makes the colors look washed out.