Polyp Extension with t5 vs leds

[branbray07]

Afternoon guys. So finally my tank seems to be turning around after lots of stress, and many many downs... Im currently running 2 G5 XR15’s with Aquaticlife 4 bulb T5 hybrid with 2b+ 2c+. My Radion schedule is 8h at 35% WWC SPS schedule from 1400-2200, with T5 on from 1700-1900. Soo my question is…My frags decent PE with the LEDs, but when the T5 come one… POOff the explode with PE. Any reason for that?? Shoot, i even have more PE during this time, than at night.

 

[Reefing102]

I’m going to guess perhaps the LEDs aren’t strong enough. Perhaps try increasing the percentage slowly

 

[branbray07]

I’m going to guess perhaps the LEDs aren’t strong enough. Perhaps try increasing the percentage slowly

Umm I actually had to drop it down, because things were bleaching

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Afternoon guys. So finally my tank seems to be turning around after lots of stress, and many many downs... Im currently running 2 G5 XR15’s with Aquaticlife 4 bulb T5 hybrid with 2b+ 2c+. My Radion schedule is 8h at 35% WWC SPS schedule from 1400-2200, with T5 on from 1700-1900. Soo my question is…My frags decent PE with the LEDs, but when the T5 come one… POOff the explode with PE. Any reason for that?? Shoot, i even have more PE during this time, than at night.

I've noticed almost everything in my tanks over the years do as good or better with T5s vs LEDs. Probably the MH users can weigh in and say the same about those, lol. Sometimes "innovation" isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Yes, I use LEDs and the color pop is nice, and heat is not really a factor anymore like with MH and to a lesser extent with T5. Not bashing LEDs but just sharing my experience. It's not just a coincidence that more companies are making LED bars that claim to rival T5s...

 

[branbray07]

I've noticed almost everything in my tanks over the years do as good or better with T5s vs LEDs. Probably the MH users can weigh in and say the same about those, lol. Sometimes "innovation" isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Yes, I use LEDs and the color pop is nice, and heat is not really a factor anymore like with MH and to a lesser extent with T5. Not bashing LEDs but just sharing my experience. It's not just a coincidence that more companies are making LED bars that claim to rival T5s...

Yea im by no means dashing LEDs they work!!!!. Im just wondering why this is happening

 

[mtraylor]

I run diffusers on my G5's. I have pretty good polyp extension. Nothing to compare too at this time.

 

[Reefahholic]

My tank is only 5 months old, but the Acro’s I have in there are showing about the same PE as with my PowerModule.

 

[Waters]

I am guessing either your LED spectrum or PAR is different than the T5s....which apparently your coral like more.

 

[Perry]

As a t5 lifer, I switched to all led, and saw nothing but improvement in colors, pe, and growth. I don’t put much weight on lighting, as it relates to pe, or even pe in general. If your corals are colorful and growing, that is likely a better indicator of health. Seen many dull, brownies with crazy pe...

 

[branbray07]

I am guessing either your LED spectrum or PAR is different than the T5s....which apparently your coral like more.

I thought about putting some diffusers in, but more for better blending than anything else.

As a t5 lifer, I switched to all led, and saw nothing but improvement in colors, pe, and growth. I don’t put much weight on lighting, as it relates to pe, or even pe in general. If your corals are colorful and growing, that is likely a better indicator of health. Seen many dull, brownies with crazy pe...

Sup brother. Well yea same here. I have always used and sworn by T5. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, that todays LEDs fixtures are on par or if not superior to t5 and mh. To many beautiful tanks and big companies using them to prove it. It is just very very auckward, that the moment my t5 come one my corals literally go insane with pe. As far as colors, welllll that is a different story. Most are pretty browned out since i had a ton of nutrient, and alk issues, but that has been dealt with finally. Although alk is not were i want it to be at, but corals finally show signs of growth.

 

[Perry]

I thought about putting some diffusers in, but more for better blending than anything else.

Sup brother. Well yea same here. I have always used and sworn by T5. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, that todays LEDs fixtures are on par or if not superior to t5 and mh. To many beautiful tanks and big companies using them to prove it. It is just very very auckward, that the moment my t5 come one my corals literally go insane with pe. As far as colors, welllll that is a different story. Most are pretty browned out since i had a ton of nutrient, and alk issues, but that has been dealt with finally. Although alk is not were i want it to be at, but corals finally show signs of growth.

Good stuff man!
If it's working, go with it I don't recall heat being a problem with the aquaticlife fixture. I have thought about it myself, but with things looking good, I see no reason for changes. I try and not play with spectrum changes as well Being in FL, ultimately heat was the breaking point, I was able to difuse heat off the lamps and water surface, but my ac was running constantly. Now all is good. I swore I would never give up my t5's, but pleasantly surprised I have a 36"x24"x24 all sps aquarium with a reefbreeders photon v2 pro 32, and behind it, a SBReef Rolan V22, wall to wall coverage at 420 total watts, quite bright
Keep after brother, glad things are trending in the right direction for you!

 

[branbray07]

Good stuff man!
If it's working, go with it I don't recall heat being a problem with the aquaticlife fixture. I have thought about it myself, but with things looking good, I see no reason for changes. I try and not play with spectrum changes as well Being in FL, ultimately heat was the breaking point, I was able to difuse heat off the lamps and water surface, but my ac was running constantly. Now all is good. I swore I would never give up my t5's, but pleasantly surprised I have a 36"x24"x24 all sps aquarium with a reefbreeders photon v2 pro 32, and behind it, a SBReef Rolan V22, wall to wall coverage at 420 total watts, quite bright
Keep after brother, glad things are trending in the right direction for you!

Yea man im in Miami so i know exactly what you mean. My AC is at 73 all day!!! Thank god im on Solar power otherwise, fpl would be insane. My temp is super steady with a 1 degree fluctuations when t5 are on. Have the Apex turn of t5 if temp rises above 79.5.

 

[X-37B]

Long time halide user here. I am now running all three systems led only. PE is equal to my halides and T5 systems of the past.
I run 16 hds and Radion xr15 blues. My xr15's are ab+ 100% all colors and running 50% peak.

 

[dadnjesse]

How big is your tank. XR15's at 35% is not a lot of light. Have you checked with a good Par Meter?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Afternoon guys. So finally my tank seems to be turning around after lots of stress, and many many downs... Im currently running 2 G5 XR15’s with Aquaticlife 4 bulb T5 hybrid with 2b+ 2c+. My Radion schedule is 8h at 35% WWC SPS schedule from 1400-2200, with T5 on from 1700-1900. Soo my question is…My frags decent PE with the LEDs, but when the T5 come one… POOff the explode with PE. Any reason for that?? Shoot, i even have more PE during this time, than at night.

Random thought... Could it simply be that the corals are happier with the additional light at 1700? Have you tried keeping the T5s off but increasing the LEDs at the time to see if it's really the bulbs vs. extra PAR?

 

[branbray07]

How big is your tank. XR15's at 35% is not a lot of light. Have you checked with a good Par Meter?

Tank is a fiji cube 57 ext 36 L 24 w 16h

 

[branbray07]

 

[Graffiti Spot]

I agree, polyp extension doesn’t really have much to do with what lights you have. Coral color on the other hand does. Parameters will affect pe more than anything else. Even though pe is not a representation of health (unless there is none during lights off periods).