T5's, LED's? Or both?

[FlowGod]

This has probably been discussed a hundred times on here but I thought I would throw this up for a discussion. My local fish store owner and I where talking about LED's and he said the are BS. He went in depth about the wavelength and was comparing them to T5's and a lot of different stuff that I kind of picked up on. But IMO I believe he is right. He said, LED's are good for coral color, but not very good for growth.

What do ya'll think?!

 

[PDR]

Modern LED's are more than capable of growing coral just fine. Sure there may be some benefits to T5's or Halides, but IMO it makes a much bigger difference in how they are implemented than the type of light source.

Oh and welcome to R2R!

 

[Billldg]

Welcome t0 R2R!!! I started out with a LED fixture and had no problem growing corals. I switched to a T5/LED hybrid system only because of the proven T5 potential, that doesn't mean that the LED fixture I had didn't work, like I said it worked fine, I just wanted more par and the LED is still a relatively new light in the hobby and we are still learning how to implement it.

Think of it this way, @WWC , probably the largest coral dealer in the world uses LED fixtures with great success.

 

[FlowGod]

Thank you for the welcome! I am running both rn, and the only thing that I am not really sure is the intensity and color programming for LED's.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Welcome to reef to reef.

It’s safe to say I disagree with your lfs.

The led t5 are pretty cool though.
If you can handle the heat , you can also save money on tube changes by running them for less time than back in the day.

 

[FlowGod]

Are there only pros to running the combo? I have 2 ai primes and for me its basically a crapshoot on what colors to run, intensity, length of lights on. I read and watched videos but it still was kinda confusing for me.

 

[Billldg]

Thank you for the welcome! I am running both rn, and the only thing that I am not really sure is the intensity and color programming for LED's.

Unfortunately that is why a par meter is needed. With a hybrid system it is very easy to cook corals as the par reading can get very high.

 

[FlowGod]

Welcome to reef to reef.

It’s safe to say I disagree with your lfs.

The led t5 are pretty cool though.
If you can handle the heat , you can also save money on tube changes by running them for less time than back in the day.

What kind of lights are your running? If you don't mind me asking.

 

[FlowGod]

Unfortunately that is why a par meter in needed. With a hybrid system it is very easy to cook corals as the par reading can get very high.

I have toned down my LEDs since I put up the t5's. I have heard it's hard to cook corals with t5's but that doesn't sound legit. I have been in the hobby a little less than a year and lighting has been my Achilles heel.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What kind of lights are your running? If you don't mind me asking.

SBreeflight leds.

 

[Billldg]

I have toned down my LEDs since I put up the t5's. I have heard it's hard to cook corals with t5's but that doesn't sound legit. I have been in the hobby a little less than a year and lighting has been my Achilles heel.

T5's by themselves, it may be hard, but depending on your led setup, it can be very easy to cook them when you add the 2 of them together.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

T5's by themselves, it may be hard, but depending on your led setup, it can be very easy to cook them when you add the 2 of them together.

You can cook coral with any light. It’s just that for the last few years it’s just all about led. Folks forget metal halide too.
There is a relationship between nutrients and light too.
Now days folks start thier tanks with dead dry rock. And run gfo for no reason.
Here’s an old school tank.
There is more par in here than three or four 360 kessils at full from 12in.

Fwiw , a Chinese black box mounted at 12in is only 650 par or so at full blast with both colors.

So.....

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Are there only pros to running the combo? I have 2 ai primes and for me its basically a crapshoot on what colors to run, intensity, length of lights on. I read and watched videos but it still was kinda confusing for me.

Start another thread and filks will share their colors and times based on the depth of your tank too.
Then, start lower and work your way up slowly to acclimate. Same thing as using an 8 bulb t5. With or without a par meter.

 

[familiar1985]

If you have not all ready, watch the videos by brs. I believe they have a good par breakdown of ai primes and an AB+ setting. I would use both and have the T5s to spread into shaded areas.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Welcome t0 R2R!!! I started out with a LED fixture and had no problem growing corals. I switched to a T5/LED hybrid system only because of the proven T5 potential, that doesn't mean that the LED fixture I had didn't work, like I said it worked fine, I just wanted more par and the LED is still a relatively new light in the hobby and we are still learning how to implement it.

Think of it this way, @WWC , probably the largest coral dealer in the world uses LED fixtures with great success.

Just to note, WWC uses LEDs with T5 supplement on their display tanks.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If you have not all ready, watch the videos by brs. I believe they have a good par breakdown of ai primes and an AB+ setting. I would use both and have the T5s to spread into shaded areas.

Just keep in mind . Each t5 at 12 in from the light adds about 150-175 par. So x4 is about 600par.