add the T5's?

[thisoldfish]

Hi all,

question- I have a 65g mixed reef with lots of softies and a handful or SPS.. been going for about 6 months, stuff is spreading and coralline is taking off nicely. I have two current LED 36' strips on top. Seems to be doing the job ok. Question: I have an old fixture that houses 4x36' T5's. Tempted to put that on top as well and start off with 2-3 hours midday and build up. Is this too much light with all 3 fixures? And, if I do use that I'd need to get new T5 bulbs.. is there a good general T5 bulb or should I mix actinic and other spectrum?

Thanks for any/all advice.

brad

 

[Heliarc19]

I would add the t5 and get some ati blue plus, coral plus, may aquablue special. Adding the t5s will only help imo

 

[thisoldfish]

thanks. So here's a followup: given the cost of new T5 bulbs, should I just spend a bit more to get a 3rd LED strip instead or is T5 light spectrum better? I figure if I'm getting new T5's every year I'll break even with a new LED in <2 years. Plus is so much less bulky. Thoughts?

 

[Heliarc19]

It’s personal preference but with t5 you know that the will produce results for sure

 

[A. grandis]

thanks. So here's a followup: given the cost of new T5 bulbs, should I just spend a bit more to get a 3rd LED strip instead or is T5 light spectrum better? I figure if I'm getting new T5's every year I'll break even with a new LED in <2 years. Plus is so much less bulky. Thoughts?

The quality of most of the t5 fixtures will provide much better results than the LEDs!
It's up to you to choose from quality or save money.
The T5s will be your primary lights and you could just take the LEDs away.
Get 2 X ATI Blue Plus and 2X ATI Coral Plus bulbs.
If you like the tank bluer get 3 X ATI Blue Plus and 1 X ATI Coral Plus.
Your corals will thank you every second!
Make sure you start using the T5 fixture half of the photoperiod you have now and increase an hour every 3 days until you have the total hours you're running now. Total of 9 hours is enough for most tanks. No need your LEDs anymore... Give it to a friend.
Plan to get an ATI fixture in the future. If you can put 6 bulbs over your tank please do so.
Cheers.

Grandis.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I ran a current orbit (pop and ramp for longer viewing time ) Led 2hr on either end and t5 for about 8 hours.
I’d just use the one Led for that.

 

[thisoldfish]

thanks all. very helpful. I ordered the 2x blue plus and 2x coral plus. I'll start slow. Thanks