Scheduling t5 hybrid lighting

Veetz89 · Jan 9, 2019

I'm going to start my new T5 light schedule tomorrow. I'm transitioning from led to hybrid led/t5.

Old schedule: 10 hour photo period, with peak of 6 hours high intensity. Max par at my highest sps is 200. Bottom Lps less than 100.

New schedule: 10 hour photo period 9 will be t5, last hour will be only led for viewing pleasure, easy ramp down for lights out. Dropped peak 6 hours of led by 30%. Max par at highest sps will be 300. Bottom lps 150 - 160.

Is this too sudden to anyone?

RobZilla04 · Jan 9, 2019

Did you measure or guess at those PAR numbers?

When I implemented a two bulb T5 supplement to my A360W-E pair, I dropped LED intensity by about 10% across the photo period. Then I slowly increased the T5 starting with a two hour photo period and ramped up to 6 where I currently am today. I think the bottom line here is you cannot go too slow IMO. You absolutely can go way too fast. Just keep an eye on the coral. They will tell you how it's going.

I have no idea what my PAR numbers are. Eventually Ill rent a meter from BRS if they are ever in stock again.

madweazl · Jan 9, 2019

Veetz89 said:
I'm going to start my new T5 light schedule tomorrow. I'm transitioning from led to hybrid led/t5.

Old schedule: 10 hour photo period, with peak of 6 hours high intensity. Max par at my highest sps is 200. Bottom Lps less than 100.

New schedule: 10 hour photo period 9 will be t5, last hour will be only led for viewing pleasure, easy ramp down for lights out. Dropped peak 6 hours of led by 30%. Max par at highest sps will be 300. Bottom lps 150 - 160.

Is this too sudden to anyone?

A 50% increase is likely too much. Ideally, you'd match the PAR you have now and increase it over time. I've never noticed negative effects with a 10% increase in PAR. I'd shoot for 10% every couple weeks until you get to desired levels. With that said, are your current PAR levels producing negative results? Don't arbitrarily change your lighting.

Veetz89 · Jan 9, 2019

madweazl said:
A 50% increase is likely too much. Ideally, you'd match the PAR you have now and increase it over time. I've never noticed negative effects with a 10% increase in PAR. I'd shoot for 10% every couple weeks until you get to desired levels. With that said, are your current PAR levels producing negative results? Don't arbitrarily change your lighting.

No growth with ideal parameters for sps. The last thing I measured was par, and found the kessils I currently have over the tank are not producing what I desire. I could drop it from the 50% to 30% I suppose and that would give me that 10% par increase you're mentioning.

madweazl · Jan 9, 2019

Not sure if this will be helpful or not but these are some results I have with two A360WEs combined with a pair of 48" T5s in a LET retrofit or with the AquaticLife hybrid that has four 48" T5s. Kessils were at 60% color which produce significantly more PAR that other color settings.

Kessil only

Hybrid

RobZilla04 · Jan 9, 2019

madweazl said:
Not sure if this will be helpful or not but these are some results I have with two A360WEs combined with a pair of 48" T5s in a LET retrofit or with the AquaticLife hybrid that has four 48" T5s. Kessils were at 60% color which produce significantly more PAR that other color settings.

Kessil only

Hybrid

What do the difference locations indicate?

madweazl · Jan 9, 2019

They arent particularly important, I was just trying provide some PAR numbers with what the OP may be moving to so they have an idea where to start with the Kessils once the T5s are there (assuming you didnt already have that data). This thread has the rest of the data if you're interested though.

RobZilla04 · Jan 9, 2019

madweazl said:
They arent particularly important, I was just trying provide some PAR numbers with what the OP may be moving to so they have an idea where to start with the Kessils once the T5s are there (assuming you didnt already have that data). This thread has the rest of the data if you're interested though.

Thank you. I currently have two A36W-E with the two bulb 48" LET supplement. Interested so Ill slide over to the thread you've linked.

stacksoner · Jan 23, 2019

madweazl said:
Not sure if this will be helpful or not but these are some results I have with two A360WEs combined with a pair of 48" T5s in a LET retrofit or with the AquaticLife hybrid that has four 48" T5s. Kessils were at 60% color which produce significantly more PAR that other color settings.

Kessil only

Hybrid