Acclimating to T5s

Shep · Nov 10, 2015

Ok, got pretty much everything sorted out except one thing, how do I go about acclimating from LEDs to T5s? I have this fear that if I slap in all 8 bulbs and just go for it, it will result in all my corals turning a lovely shade of dead. Should I do two bulbs for a week, add two more for a week, so on and so forth?

Reefrookie220 · Nov 10, 2015

I just went through the same thing! I just put my t5 on and ran my led for its normal cycle and after the lights went out I hooked up my t5 and UN hooked the led. Had a couple zoas get kinda angry but no casualties.

Edit: forgot to mention I hung my t5 3in higher than my led and dropped it .5in a day till it rested on the tank.

Reefrookie220 · Nov 10, 2015

But fwiw, I ended up using both lights and am loving it even more!

kschweer · Nov 10, 2015

I wouldn't be as worried going led to t5 as I would t5 to led. You can try a shorter logger period gradually building up to normal or run 2 bulbs for the full light cycle and gradually build up with the other 6. Also if hanging. Hang the light higher and gradually lower it.

Shep · Nov 10, 2015

Awesome, I have to build something onto the stand so that I can hang the light above the tank

kschweer · Nov 10, 2015

Maybe @Diesel has some input. I know he made the switch a little while back

Shep · Nov 10, 2015

Yea I have been getting a lot of information from him. Im thinking of just screwing 4 metal rods on the side and then connecting them. THen just hang the light off of that

SifuMemphis · Nov 10, 2015

I recently went from LED to T5s, and love it so far. I ran the light period a little shorter, instead of the 8 hour, I ran the T5 for 6 hours for about a week, then made changes as needed. I dont think going full blast with T5 would hurt you either, since LEDs are normally stronger, pending the intensity you ran them on your previous fixture / height

Diesel · Nov 10, 2015

kschweer said:
Maybe @Diesel has some input. I know he made the switch a little while back

Little over a year.
I ran Radionds from gen 1 up to gen 3pro for 3.5 years.
But before that I had T5 DIY from AH supply.

Diesel · Nov 10, 2015

Shep said:
Yea I have been getting a lot of information from him. Im thinking of just screwing 4 metal rods on the side and then connecting them. THen just hang the light off of that

I have to run but will get back with some info for you tonight.

Shep · Nov 10, 2015

Diesel said:
I have to run but will get back with some info for you tonight.

Appreciate that!

SifuMemphis · Nov 10, 2015

Diesel said:
I have to run but will get back with some info for you tonight.

I am curious as well

3Twinklets · Nov 10, 2015

I use T-5 and LED.

Diesel · Nov 10, 2015

Not sure what light fixture you have but I used my 4 inside bulbs only for about three weeks till I noticed that some SPS were losing color and starting to turn green, I knew I didn't had enough photo period and scheduled the 4 outside bulbs.
I ramped up all the blue LED's too to 100% and white only 25%, the red led's I'm not running at all.
Right now my Led's ramp up from 10:30 in the morning up to 75% only blue.
At 11 am my 4 T5 bulbs come on and my led's keep ramping up to 100% at 11:30 am.
By 2pm my 4 outside bulbs come on and the turn off at 7pm.
The 4 inside bulbs turn off at 9:30 and the led's ramp down from 100% to completely off at 11:30 pm.
When I have time by 11:15 pm I will sing a bed time song to the fish and corals

MrDJeep123 · Nov 10, 2015

Since you can't dim them, running them at a shorter photo period would be your best course of action. However, you really shouldn't have to do so.

Shep · Nov 10, 2015

This makes life easier

SifuMemphis · Nov 11, 2015

Diesel said:
Not sure what light fixture you have but I used my 4 inside bulbs only for about three weeks till I noticed that some SPS were losing color and starting to turn green, I knew I didn't had enough photo period and scheduled the 4 outside bulbs.
I ramped up all the blue LED's too to 100% and white only 25%, the red led's I'm not running at all.
Right now my Led's ramp up from 10:30 in the morning up to 75% only blue.
At 11 am my 4 T5 bulbs come on and my led's keep ramping up to 100% at 11:30 am.
By 2pm my 4 outside bulbs come on and the turn off at 7pm.
The 4 inside bulbs turn off at 9:30 and the led's ramp down from 100% to completely off at 11:30 pm.
When I have time by 11:15 pm I will sing a bed time song to the fish and corals

After upping your photo period, and changing your LEDs to 100%, did you notice sps coloring to bright up again? You're using the ATI hybrid if I am correct, right?

Diesel · Nov 11, 2015

Yes the hybrid.
Color came back in the same time period although some took a little longer as I also dropped the Zeo system when I switch lights.

SifuMemphis · Nov 11, 2015

Diesel said:
Yes the hybrid.
Color came back in the same time period although some took a little longer as I also dropped the Zeo system when I switch lights.

Good to know, thank you. I've been debating on raising the LED percentage lately because my Yellow tort started to turn a shade of green. Thinking my 4 bulb hybrid wasnt enough light. LEDs currently at 55%