Pros and Cons of Adding Reefbrite Strips

[crs751]

I am kicking around whether or not to replace (2) single bulb T5 fixtures I use to supplement my Photon V2+ LED fixture with a Reefbrite strip. Not sure why I am thinking about this other than maybe the Reefbrite will add a different color profile that will show off my SPS better. The T5 lamps I am using are both Blue+. Any opinions on this would be appreciated.

 

[Bj’s Reef]

I’m following to see what advice you get.

 

[Lonely reefer's]

can’ t go wrong with reefbrite XHO if you wanted to show off your sps
I run all blue 3 hrs before the light turn off on my oceanrevive + 2 reefbrite XHO

 

[crs751]

Thanks for the response. Do you notice any benefit to SPS growth or is it mostly a benefit for appearance?

 

[homer1475]

Your going to supplement LED's with more LED's?

The Idea behind using T5's as supplements is to avoid the shading you get from LED's.

Of course the reefbrites will "pop" more, but you could also try adding an actinic bulb with a blue+. Or just crank the blues up higher on your LED's.

 

[X-37B]

Take a look at the OR3 light bars. The new bluy sky is fantastic.
I run one on my 120 and a blue plus.
The blue sky is much brighter.
Thex supplement my MH's.

 

[crs751]

Good info. Thanks for the responses.

 

[Spieg]

XHOs have fantastic spread, probably comparable with T5 spread. However they're fairly low power which when spread out equates to pretty low PAR. The other issue is they should be mounted pretty close to the water which may not work well with your other LED lights. Personally I'd probably stick with your T5s.

 

[SPS2020]

Maybe try some Actinics if you are just looking for additional pop? I added four T5's (2 Blue+, 2 Actinic) supplementing my 4 Hydra 32 HD's. I really wanted the T5's for the extra Actinic.

 

[Pntbll687]

Pro's - GREAT SPREAD that reduces shadowing. Good blue spectrum
Cons - High priced for what they are. Craftsmanship is hit and miss

HIt up @telegraham on instagram for a link to light bars on AliE . Under half the price for the same stuff. Jim has done spectrum and par testing on the AliE lights if you want that info. You can also customize the spectrum, so if you want UV or more 420 or 450, or 470 it can be done!

 

[SPS2020]

Of course, right after I added the dimmable T5 combo, this comes out:

AquaticLife Coral Cover is a Complete Strip Lighting Solution | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

The AquaticLife Coral Cover is a new type of light 'fixture' which is the LED follow up to their T5HO Hybrid light fixture. This new piece of lighting kit enables reefer to completely fill their tank…

reefbuilders.com

Aquatic Life - LED - Lighting - Bulk Reef Supply

Bulk Reef Supply - Saltwater Aquarium Supplies for Reef Tanks

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[bobnicaragua]

The T5 will have superior spectrum. The reef brites will makr the corals pop. I would use both.

 

[LuizW13]

Maybe try some Actinics if you are just looking for additional pop? I added four T5's (2 Blue+, 2 Actinic) supplementing my 4 Hydra 32 HD's. I really wanted the T5's for the extra Actinic.

Hey SPS202, do you have any pictures to share? I have also been toying with the idea of adding the AquaticLife T5 hybrid fixture to my Hydra 26 hd. It's on my 25g IM, and was trying to get an idea how that would look like.

 

[SPS2020]

Hey SPS202, do you have any pictures to share? I have also been toying with the idea of adding the AquaticLife T5 hybrid fixture to my Hydra 26 hd. It's on my 25g IM, and was trying to get an idea how that would look like.

Absolutely, check out my build thread link...toward the end:

Build Thread - IM Nuvo EXT 100 SPS2020 Build

Hello All! Just starting the journey of setting up a 100 gallon Innovative Marine EXT. The crate and contents arrived undamaged from CA to NC...yay!

www.reef2reef.com

 

[landlubber]

pros: great accent light, great spread, nice actinic color, adds LED shimmer (when using t5), makes coral colors POP!
cons: lower par than some of the newer offerings, somewhat expensive, no enhancement on fish colors.

I ran an xho for 5 years along side an 8 bulb t5 fixture. without the strip i had no issue growing coral but found them too flat looking.

 

[Waynerock]

I hung a 24 inch XHO across the 3 primes I have. It added right at 100 par at 100% but to my eyes it did not really change much. It seemed to work well kinda helped cover any spots the primes missed and I had a good increase in alk consumption. Unfortunately the way I hung the XHO’s the weight wore out the prime mounts and I had to take it down. The XHO’s reflector is way better than the OR3 when I did a side by side and that’s the consensus online. It was akin to adding a single T5 fixture but with better pop.

 

[Shanephillips27]

XHOs have fantastic spread, probably comparable with T5 spread. However they're fairly low power which when spread out equates to pretty low PAR. The other issue is they should be mounted pretty close to the water which may not work well with your other LED lights. Personally I'd probably stick with your T5s.

I know this post is a few years old but actually bulk reef supply did testing of all the different reef Brite lights and with multiple fixtures it actually beat out t5s.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I know this post is a few years old but actually bulk reef supply did testing of all the different reef Brite lights and with multiple fixtures it actually beat out t5s.

For coverage, not even close on spectrum.

 

[Shanephillips27]

For coverage, not even close on spectrum.

Ok go watch there video. Just so you know most of the color spectrums are inside the white LED anyways. you should also watch Tulios video on where he talks about light so funny these companies like ecotech and red Sea. Have made people think that they need to spend thousands of dollars on their lighting systems when it really is truly just a simple solution.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Ok go watch there video. Just so you know most of the color spectrums are inside the white LED anyways. you should also watch Tulios video on where he talks about light so funny these companies like ecotech and red Sea. Have made people think that they need to spend thousands of dollars on their lighting systems when it really is truly just a simple solution.

The spectrum isn’t bad if you mix in some white. Most people just run blues for supplementation.

T5 is still broader. (BRSTV - after this performance would you considerReef Brite XHO LEDs over T5) 5:35