Should I add T5's to my LED's?

JCOLE · Dec 27, 2019

I have a 6' 150 Gallon tank that will be 100% SPS Dominate within a month. I currently have 4 - Mars Aqua Black box LED's on my tank which I feel gives it great coverage. I am thinking of adding a 60" 2x80W ATI Retro Kit with AquaBlue and Coral Plus bulbs. Maybe this will give it a better spectrum, coverage, etc?

What do you all think?

See picture. of my LED's. This is the only full tank shot of the lights that I have at the moment.

ndrwater · Dec 27, 2019

Adding T5 will infill any shaded areas. Will you get better growth? Not in my opinion. I have been using straight LED (Radions) for years on my SPS tank and can grow corals like crazy.
I personally thing those who try to use the fewest LED fixtures possible would see better results by adding T5. Having a decent amount of LED's for whatever tank, dont necessarily need the addition of T5
In my case, I have an 8' 240 gallon running 5 G30 pros at 85% situated front to back and have ZERO issues with shading.
If I were to try to get away with 3 or 4 Radions, I might need to supplement with T5 to get any areas that might not be getting a decent amount of light

JCOLE · Dec 27, 2019

ndrwater said:
Adding T5 will infill any shaded areas. Will you get better growth? Not in my opinion. I have been using straight LED (Radions) for years on my SPS tank and can grow corals like crazy.
I personally thing those who try to use the fewest LED fixtures possible would see better results by adding T5. Having a decent amount of LED's for whatever tank, dont necessarily need the addition of T5
In my case, I have an 8' 240 gallon running 5 G30 pros at 85% situated front to back and have ZERO issues with shading.
If I were to try to get away with 3 or 4 Radions, I might need to supplement with T5 to get any areas that might not be getting a decent amount of light

That is what I am thinking also. I have the tank completely covered with LEDS. 220 of them to be exact so maybe I will ride it out and upgrade later on. I placed an order on Marine Depot a little while ago for the T5's then called them to cancel after having second thoughts.....