Radion G5 Blue or Pro? Heh...

[Rick5]

Form what I keep hearing it seems like most people are going to the pros. A lot of people started with the blues and switched to pros for vlog videos and pictures, but also feel longterm coral health is better with more white light.

My gut is telling me to get the pros, but I think I would enjoy either fixture.

It almost doesn't matter in your case because you intend on running the G5s alongside T5s. Do you have a preference for T5 bulbs?

Your T5 bulb preference may even dictate whether you should get the Pro or Blue G5s.

Although I have more faith in the G5 white LEDs than the white LEDs in other fixtures I've used, I don't like white LEDs in general because of their proclivity to burn SPS (at least with the other LED fixtures I have tried). For that reason (including that T5s are generally solid bulbs in terms of spectrum and PAR), I may be inclined (if it were me) to rely on the T5s for the lower end of the spectrum and rely on the G5s to add the higher (blue) end of the spectrum, leading me to gravitate toward the Blue fixtures in your case.

For what it's worth, pre-LED era, I liked ATI T5 bulbs and the temperature a Phoenix 14k halide produced. I am not a fan of the windex or black light look. However, given the predominance of the bluer spectrum as of late (the past couple of years in particular), I've become more appreciative of the bluer spectrum (although not so appreciative that I'm willing to run a tank with the black light look).

I'm just thinking out loud/sharing my thoughts regarding your lighting choice.


EDIT: Now I'm rambling, but thought I'd add this. I've run a G4 fixture and two Hydra 26HD. The white LEDs ransacked my SPS, given my configuration at the time. However, I was running my G5 fixture at 60% as BRS recommends, slowly acclimated to about 80% and set an absurdly slow acclimation (that's ongoing) to 100%. I think my G5 is presently at ~90% with another 100+ days left on the acclimation to 100%. Given the height of the fixture (using Ecotech's mount affixed to the tank), I would have wiped out my SPS with the other LED fixtures I've used if I ran a comparable intensity.

 

[Reefahholic]

It almost doesn't matter in your case because you intend on running the G5s alongside T5s. Do you have a preference for T5 bulbs?

Your T5 bulb preference may even dictate whether you should get the Pro or Blue G5s.

Although I have more faith in the G5 white LEDs than the white LEDs in other fixtures I've used, I don't like white LEDs in general because of their proclivity to burn SPS (at least with the other LED fixtures I have tried). For that reason (including that T5s are generally solid bulbs in terms of spectrum and PAR), I may be inclined (if it were me) to rely on the T5s for the lower end of the spectrum and rely on the G5s to add the higher (blue) end of the spectrum, leading me to gravitate toward the Blue fixtures in your case.

For what it's worth, pre-LED era, I liked ATI T5 bulbs and the temperature a Phoenix 14k halide produced. I am not a fan of the windex or black light look. However, given the predominance of the bluer spectrum as of late (the past couple of years in particular), I've become more appreciative of the bluer spectrum (although not so appreciative that I'm willing to run a tank with the black light look).

I'm just thinking out loud/sharing my thoughts regarding your lighting choice.


EDIT: Now I'm rambling, but thought I'd add this. I've run a G4 fixture and two Hydra 26HD. The white LEDs ransacked my SPS, given my configuration at the time. However, I was running my G5 fixture at 60% as BRS recommends, slowly acclimated to about 80% and set an absurdly slow acclimation (that's ongoing) to 100%. I think my G5 is presently at ~90% with another 100+ days left on the acclimation to 100%. Given the height of the fixture (using Ecotech's mount affixed to the tank), I would have wiped out my SPS with the other LED fixtures I've used if I ran a comparable intensity.

Most T5 bulbs seem to work very well.

My favorite T5 bulbs are

ATI ABS
ATI Blue+
ATI Coral+
Giesemann Actinic Blue
Giesemann AquaBlue Azure
Giesemann Super Purple

Any of the Actinic bulbs give a nice color pop. I usually run ATI or Giesemann.

I like KZ bulbs a lot because they offer some unique colors that appeals to my eyes. Very crisp and clean, but a little more to the white spectrum.

Two that I really like are:

KZ Coral Light
KZ Coral Light II new Generation

I used to like the KZ Fiji purple until I tried to run more than one and saw it’s true color. Now I prefer the Giesemann Super Purple instead.

The KZ Super Blue resembles the ATI Blue+ and the Giesemann Actinic Blue. Those 3 are very similar.

You just can’t go wrong with T5’s.

 

[Reefahholic]

This is that crisp look I was talking about with the KZ bulbs. They are definitely unique. The New Gen is the better of the two IMO. The Coral Light is more white, but still has its place.

 

[sjslanina1992]

I do both, best of both worlds. Did this because I felt all blues were too blue. Either will grow corals.

Did you do 1 of each in XR30 or XR15?

 

[JGT]

Did you do 1 of each in XR30 or XR15?

I have 7 xr15s alternating between blue and pro for an 8’ 24” deep mixed reef.

 

[sjslanina1992]

I have 7 xr15s alternating between blue and pro for an 8’ 24” deep mixed reef.

Do you happen to have any suggestions for me? I'm torn. I'm buying the 150 IM EXT and I'm not sure what to go with. Either 2 XR30 (1 of pro and 1 blue) OR 3 XR15 (2 pro and 1 blue OR 2 blue and 1 pro)? The dimensions are 4ft long and 3 ft deep. 19" tall

 

[JGT]

Do you happen to have any suggestions for me? I'm torn. I'm buying the 150 IM EXT and I'm not sure what to go with. Either 2 XR30 (1 of pro and 1 blue) OR 3 XR15 (2 pro and 1 blue OR 2 blue and 1 pro)? The dimensions are 4ft long and 3 ft deep. 19" tall

I replied to you in the other thread. Check it out.