36 in. AquaticLife Dual Lamp T5 HO Marine Light Fixture

Will be looking to upgrade from a stock fixture on our first SW tank. Hoping to make it a reef but still a few months away from adding any corals since the tank is only a couple weeks removed from its cycle.

Been researching light units and like the price and simplicity of T5 HO systems. Have it narrowed down but still open to suggestions. Thinking of a 36 in. AquaticLife Dual Lamp T5 HO Marine Light Fixture for a 46gallon bowfront.

I now it is only a dual bulb but it is linkable. Also I have a glass canopy which I do not want to get rid of.

Does this unit have independent control for each bulb or is it an all or none switch?

Can you use ATI bulbs or must you use Aquaticlife bulbs?

What can I keep with just a dual bulb unit on a 46gallon. Want Zoas, xenias, leathers, LPS, softies, maybe an easier to keep SPS such as a chalice or something.

Also looked at a Coralife quad fixture with LED moonlights but it is a lot more and I heard they are not as good as Aquaticlife fixtures.

 

Not familiar with the dual bulb so I don't know if you can independently control the bulbs. As for the bulbs, you can definitely use the ATI, in fact most would reccomend upgrading bulbs after a little while anyway. With the ATI I would say you could do softies and maybe some LPS. Not sure on the SPS, but Im sure somebody can help you further with that. Good Luck!

 

You would be able to keep SPS on top of the rocks with that fixture. Chalice are LPS and generally like moderate light at most. You will be able to keep your corals where you would like otherwise.

I have no idea if the bulbs are independent.

 

I've been running the Aquaticlife 4x24w t5ho for over a year now and I love these lights! I run all ATI bulbs I have LPS, Softies, and before my lil clown goby got with my sps I was keeping them also. I even have a clam

 

Thanks for the input guys, nice corals there nanareefer! Good to now you can use ATI bulbs in the fixture I was afraid of being locked into a specific brand. I think I will just get the dual bulb for now and depending what kinds of corals I end up with and how they do may always add on a second since they are linkable

 

I have that Coralife Lunar fixture in an odd size 30", and ATI does not make 30" bulbs so I'm outta luck. I must use Coralife bulbs. I assume it will run great with ATI's tho...

That being said, I haven't used the fixture yet, I'm still gathering what I need for the build but it's a nice piece. The 2 LED moonlights are focused so they seem pretty dern bright. Again, it appears to be a nice fixture.

I ended up getting it at a LFS for $100+ off because the box got dinged from shipping which put a ding in the aluminum housing, no biggie, I can live with it.

 

I have the 24" aquatic life and its great. There is no independent bulb switches though its either on or off.

 

So would I be better off getting the Coralife quad fixture with 2 LEDs and three plugs for seperate timer control of actinic, daylight, and LED bulbs and just forget about the Aquaticlife Dual linkable fixture?

Any other suggestions?

 

If you can spend the money, go with the aquatic life quad t5ho. They are great fixtures with integrated timer control for actinics, daylights, and leds. Also they use good quality reflectors. IMO, this would be the way to go if you have the money. I am a fan of fewer cords with integrated timers. This is a good clean well built fixture.
AquaticLife T5 HO 4-Lamp Light Fixtures w/ Lunar LEDs

 

I do love those fixtures but they are so expensive. The coralife quad is about $100 less. I know quality if what we shoot for which is why I was thinking of a dual aquaticlife for the time being but they dont have a timer or any leds.