Need Help! LED Strips for T-5's - should I or shouldn't I?

[saltyfilmfolks]

Any day!
I was trying to calculate the par of your new lamps and led strip.
It will be quite impressive!
I think when you get your new lamps in that will help you choose the right nanometer

How are you calculating his par?

 

[twilliard]

There is a thread here with par readings of the 8 lamp fixtures
Did i post it here Rene'?

 

[drstratton]

Yes you did! I can look at that and understand it (edit: kind of understand it), but I need to see the bulbs in action!

Here's the link!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/par-readings-from-sunpower.223967/

 

[Pete polyp]

If you don't mind, how would you place the bulbs in my fixture and run them. It has 8 bulbs and two switches. I'm just not experienced enough with what the different colors would look like. I've been researching, api has an awesome comparison that I shared in another thread, but you just don't get the true look of something unless you can see it in person. Todd and I came up with the combo that I'm using right now and I think it looks pretty good. I really would love to have more of an actinic pop, I believe I've accomplished it somewhat with the bulbs that I just put it, but I think that I might be able to make it even better! Thanks!!!

Here's the link!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/video-on-t5-bulb-combinations.221478/

Bulb combos are tricky and it depends on whether you want growth or color. I found a good combo in my 6 bulb unit that worked well. With having two channels it would also depend on which bulbs are on which switch. I rewired mine to have 1,3,5 on one switch and 2,4,6 on another. I like to put the majority of the colored bulbs towards the front so the direction of the light hits the tank the direction you are looking. Having the white bulbs directly over the rock seems to work well for growth. Since all you're really going to see while the whites are on its white it kinda makes sense that way. I would steer away from having the whites next to the glass because it will promote algae growth on the glass.

My 6 bulb combo from front to back (if I'm remembering correctly)
Blue plus
Coral plus
Blue plus
Aquablue special
Purple plus
Blue plus

 

[Pete polyp]

With your bulbs I would try this
Actinic
Coral plus
Coral plus
Actinic
Aquablue
Coral plus
Coral plus

If I were to set up my own
Blue plus
Blue plus
Coral plus
Blue plus
Aquablue special
Blue plus
Purple plus
Blue plus

 

[drstratton]

Bulb combos are tricky and it depends on whether you want growth or color. I found a good combo in my 6 bulb unit that worked well. With having two channels it would also depend on which bulbs are on which switch. I rewired mine to have 1,3,5 on one switch and 2,4,6 on another. I like to put the majority of the colored bulbs towards the front so the direction of the light hits the tank the direction you are looking. Having the white bulbs directly over the rock seems to work well for growth. Since all you're really going to see while the whites are on its white it kinda makes sense that way. I would steer away from having the whites next to the glass because it will promote algae growth on the glass.

My 6 bulb combo from front to back (if I'm remembering correctly)
Blue plus
Coral plus
Blue plus
Aquablue special
Purple plus
Blue plus

Thank you! My setup is 1,3,5,7 and 2,4,6,8.

With your bulbs I would try this
Actinic
Coral plus
Coral plus
Actinic
Aquablue
Coral plus
Coral plus

If I were to set up my own
Blue plus
Blue plus
Coral plus
Blue plus
Aquablue special
Blue plus
Purple plus
Blue plus

I have my bulbs lined out pretty close to what you said. I will try the other mix next year when I buy new bulbs.
Thank you for your time and info!

 

[Pete polyp]

Thank you! My setup is 1,3,5,7 and 2,4,6,8.


I have my bulbs lined out pretty close to what you said. I will try the other mix next year when I buy new bulbs.
Thank you for your time and info!

It took me a bit to get down what worked for me. I bought 6 bulbs at first and decided to try something different so I bought a few of this, one of that and two of whatever. I ended up saving the bulbs that i wasn't using and used them when it was time to change bulbs. If you can I would get on ordering at least 4 blue plus ASAP. You really don't know what you're missing without them

 

[drstratton]

It took me a bit to get down what worked for me. I bought 6 bulbs at first and decided to try something different so I bought a few of this, one of that and two of whatever. I ended up saving the bulbs that i wasn't using and used them when it was time to change bulbs. If you can I would get on ordering at least 4 blue plus ASAP. You really don't know what you're missing without them

I wish that I could, I have spent my budget for right now. Maybe I will be able to get some in January or February. I'm really excited to try it, but I will have to wait and I need to remind myself that I need to wait. We are going to use the old bulbs in a shop light, get a little more use out of them.

 

[Pete polyp]

I know that feeling! In the last week I think I spent my tank budget until 2018 haha!

 

[Jose102173]

With your bulbs I would try this
Actinic
Coral plus
Coral plus
Actinic
Aquablue
Coral plus
Coral plus

If I were to set up my own
Blue plus
Blue plus
Coral plus
Blue plus
Aquablue special
Blue plus
Purple plus
Blue plus

Jumping in, so with the second option which 4 bulbs would you have come on first? Would 2 hours/4 bulbs, 8 hours/8 bulbs and 2 hours/4 bulbs be ideal? What do you think about adding a reef Brite strip and what color?

Thanks,
Jose

 

[drstratton]

Jumping in, so with the second option which 4 bulbs would you have come on first? Would 2 hours/4 bulbs, 8 hours/8 bulbs and 2 hours/4 bulbs be ideal? What do you think about adding a reef Brite strip and what color?

Thanks,
Jose

I'm pretty sure that Pete's saying to have 4 Blue plus come on first and then have the others come on, then end with just the 4 Blue plus. I really wish I could buy more bulbs so I can do this, but will have to wait! If I could buy a Reefbrite I would!

 

[Pete polyp]

Jumping in, so with the second option which 4 bulbs would you have come on first? Would 2 hours/4 bulbs, 8 hours/8 bulbs and 2 hours/4 bulbs be ideal? What do you think about adding a reef Brite strip and what color?

Thanks,
Jose

I would have nothing but blue plus on one channel. If you want a little more pop in green I would swap 1 of the blue plus with a pure actinic.

 

[Jose102173]

I would have nothing but blue plus on one channel. If you want a little more pop in green I would swap 1 of the blue plus with a pure actinic.

What is your thought on a reef bright strip?

 

[Pete polyp]

What is your thought on a reef bright strip?

I have not seen one in person so I can't be sure. I'm going to assume it would be just like any other blue led. Blue led have a crazy actinic pop to them when they're by themselves. I'm not certain it would do much while the t5 are on. I would think the t5 would wash most of it out and it wouldn't change the overall look much while the t5 are on.