T5/led hybrid

[Phillyd1990]

T5/hybrid aquatic life 48” fixture coming this week. Currently i run 2 hydra 26 hd on a 48 L 24 W 20 H. Uv 60 V 50 bl 80 rb 80 red 20 gre 20 cw 25. I havnt used t5 before but ive done enough research to know that they can grow like no other. Im concerened with the sudden change with lighting. Should i put my led in acclimation or keep running the same once the t5 are added?

 

[Heliarc19]

I wouldn’t change the led settings I would just start with a very short photoperiod with the t5’s and take a month or so to bring it to the correct time

 

[Phillyd1990]

Maybe start with 2 hours or so? I dont have much to begin with. As far as coral goes its lightly stocked.

 

[Heliarc19]

That sounds good, I recently added t5’s in a similar setup and started with 1.5 hours and have seen nothing negative

 

[Phillyd1990]

What did you add them to? How many t5? It was hard for me to pick a bulb combo.

 

[Heliarc19]

48” tank, 2x hydra 26hd all blues and v at max. I modified some 14watt fixtures I had

 

[Heliarc19]

Everyone seems to like the ati blue plus and coral plus

 

[Phillyd1990]

Like your diy setup! Funny you say that cause i ordered 2 blue+ and 2 coral+ ati bulbs

 

[Heliarc19]

Sounds like your on the right track

 

[reefndude]

I used 4 b+ and 2 c+ In my 6 bulb fixture. Ran with 2 blue led bars. It did a fine job growing corals with nice color

 

[mcarroll]

T5/hybrid aquatic life 48” fixture coming this week. Currently i run 2 hydra 26 hd on a 48 L 24 W 20 H. Uv 60 V 50 bl 80 rb 80 red 20 gre 20 cw 25. I havnt used t5 before but ive done enough research to know that they can grow like no other. Im concerened with the sudden change with lighting. Should i put my led in acclimation or keep running the same once the t5 are added?

Use a light meter to assure levels stay comparable before and after.

Get a light meter if you don't have one. At minimum a $10-$20 lux meter like my "LX-1010B".

BTW, if you were having any troubles growing coral this switch is unlikely to be a resolution for them. I know this was only implied, you didn't say you were having any trouble....but if you're looking for "grow like no other" and willing to spend on it, I assume there was something like a problem going on. So if you haven't already, start digging into any issues you have now – don't wait for the lights. PM me if you want since this is kinda off topic for your thread.

 

[Phillyd1990]

Contemplated switching to t5 completely and going to sunpower dimmable 48 inch 6 bulb but i didnt want to miss out on all the led has to offer. Seems like a good combo is b+ and c+ .

 

[reefndude]

Just my opinion. You won't miss leds if you went t5

 

[Phillyd1990]

Just my opinion. You won't miss leds if you went t5

I figured id give the combo a try. Led hasnt let me down and ive had growth before. Id like to see what the benefit of adding t5 can do.

 

[reefndude]

You will be happy with the combo.