Recommended T5 with LED

JOKER · Jan 11, 2015

Guys I am planning my new build and looking to add T5 to my lighting. I am currently running Rapidled on my 90. Running blues at 65% white at 25% and color and uv at 40%. Seems to work finally , PATIENCE is key with led. I went through brown out with some sps but the color is coming back. The light is more than enough for my setup now using 2 heat sinks, I have a 3rd for the 7' tank and I think it will be plenty but I want to get the benefits of t5 also. My plan is to add 2 2 bulb 6' fixtures, I was thinking about 18" from waterline from the start and slowly moving them down. What would you guys recommend??

.AcroKiller. · Jan 11, 2015

My new light coming in will have 4 39 watt t5 and 2 145 watt fixtures built in

JOKER · Jan 13, 2015

What light did you order? I already have the LED I just want to add the benefits of t5. Never ran t5 so have no idea where to begin. I would think on a tank of that size with the led I could run 4 t5 and have more than enough. I was looking at 6' but picking is slim on the fixtures. The tank will be 7' 2' 25" deep.

bknapp · Jan 13, 2015

ATI bulbs are the best T5 bulbs available. ATI Blue+ is probably the most popular bulb. Check into Kevan's build and look into which lights he's running with his set up.

JOKER · Jan 13, 2015

Ok thanks, I think I am going to use 4 36" 2 bulb fixtures. I think that will give me the best spread and be cheaper In the long run. The 72" are a lot higher.

.AcroKiller. · Jan 13, 2015

I order the Pacific sun pandora hyperion 290 watts of leds and 138 watt of t5s. Pacific sun also makes really good t5 bulbs. The reef keeping TOTM guy 2 month ago I belive was running all pacific sun tubes.

bknapp · Jan 13, 2015

I think you should consider staggering four or six 48" bulbs, you'd get close to the same coverage and need to replace less bulbs.

JOKER · Jan 14, 2015

Thanks B I will look into that also. I am far away from ready so I have plenty time. It will be 6 months wait on tank or close to it plus I have to get floors tiled before also.

NeveSSL · Jan 14, 2015

I went for the 60" bulbs. Much cheaper on bulb replacements as they're usually very close to the same price as the other bulb sizes, but I'd only need half as many. Staggered 48" bulbs would work, also, and they're a little bit more efficient than the 60" bulbs. I also did retrofit instead of a fixture so I could put them where I needed them for the best coverage.

Having said that, if you're running 2 bulbs, I would recommend one Blue Plus and one True Actinic. If you're running 4 bulbs, maybe 2 blue plus, one true actinic, and one purple plus. Or switch out the purple plus for another blue plus. Yes, the blue plus bulbs are that awesome.

Some others may chime in with better options on bulb selection. Definitley plan on Blue Plus bulbs, though.

Having said that, the next club meeting is at my house. You can see my T5s and LEDs then if you can make it.

Brandon

JOKER · Jan 14, 2015

Cool. Hopefully will be off the weekend of next meeting. I was looking at prices of fixtures and bulbs last night. Don't see that many larger fixtures. Lot only go up to 48"

NeveSSL · Jan 14, 2015

Yeah, very few go 60". All the more reason to get the retrofit kits.

Brandon

JOKER · Jan 14, 2015

Do they come with reflectors?

NeveSSL · Jan 14, 2015

If you buy a full retrofit kit, it will. Otherwise you may have to buy individual parts. I used to order all of my retro kits from ReefGeek.com, but sadly they have closed shop. I haven't had to order a full kit recently.

Brandon