Should I add T5's to my tank?

[mrsaltwaterguy]

I currently have a 75 gallon running 2 Kessil A360WE's and I'm not seeing a ton of growth on my corals and some of my SPS are fading. I've had the tank up and running for about 6-7 months now (brought over live rock from another tank that had been up for 2 months). I've found a good deal locally on a 4 * 65 watt 46 inch coralife T5 fixture. I was wondering what everyone's experience was adding T5's to an LED set up. Any thoughts appreciated! Thanks

 

[dewboy1127]

Following. ..currently debating same thing ...i have gen 2 radions over 72 bowfront and dont have much room for addition so could only add one or two bulb myself unless i go back to full on t5.....i say if have the room to and its good deal add them and get a broader spectrum of light for sure but keep in mind they do radiate a lil heat

 

[wildwilly1]

i have a 120 4x2x2 penninsula that has been setup 7 mnths . have the reefbreeders 48 light. a month ago ran two sunblaster t5ho fixtures down each side of it. since adding the t5s i can see better growth and overall better everything colors etc on corals ,clams everything in the tank so yes i would add t5s i am actually going to be adding another t5 oneach side . done great for my tank

 

[BryanS4]

When I was running Led's I did the same thing as wildwilly. I added two sunblasters to supplement my Led's and the growth and color came around in a big way.

It made me wonder what running all T5's would do and I have since ditched Led's over my three tanks and have Sunpower units running and I couldn't be more impressed.

If I were in your shoes I wouldn't think twice about adding the T5's.

 

[wildwilly1]

I was thinking about switching to all t5 but cant afford the $800 plus price tag for a 48 ati fixture and bulbs .so i am going to add another sunblaster t5 that would give me the reefbreeder 48 with 2 t5s on each side should work great and a whole lot cheaper

 

[mrsaltwaterguy]

So now the question I need answered is should I add 2 dual t5s on each side or one 4 bulb fixture? I just want to make sure I don't negate my Kessils. They are currently over the tank using the gooseneck adapter.

 

[BryanS4]

Don't worry about it negating your kessils. Your Kessils will never give you the growth of t5. Do it, you will be happy.

 

[jlanger]

I also added two Sunblaster fixtures to supplement my two Radion LED fixtures.
It's only been a month or so, but I can see great improvement in growth and color from the corals already.

If you want to still use the Kessils, it would probably look best to have the LEDs sandwiched between the T5 fixtures; so you'd have two sets of two T5s.

 

[Salty1962]

I also added two Sunblaster fixtures to supplement my two Radion LED fixtures.
It's only been a month or so, but I can see great improvement in growth and color from the corals already.

If you want to still use the Kessils, it would probably look best to have the LEDs sandwiched between the T5 fixtures; so you'd have two sets of two T5s.

+1 I run a hybrid system.

 

[CarolinaReefs]

I have the exact same setup. I just finished my canopy yesterday and added 2 T5's to my two Kessils. I have ordered parts to add 2 more T5's.

 

[mrsaltwaterguy]

I have the exact same setup. I just finished my canopy yesterday and added 2 T5's to my two Kessils. I have ordered parts to add 2 more T5's.

I also added two Sunblaster fixtures to supplement my two Radion LED fixtures.
It's only been a month or so, but I can see great improvement in growth and color from the corals already.

If you want to still use the Kessils, it would probably look best to have the LEDs sandwiched between the T5 fixtures; so you'd have two sets of two T5s.

+1 I run a hybrid system.

What fixture did you go with and what combination of bulbs are you using?

 

[WetWhistle]

OP what are the settings of your lights? What color and intensity do you run them at? this plays a big factor in the results you get.

 

[mrsaltwaterguy]

I have them ramping up in intensity from 8% at noon to 60% at 3:30. It runs at 60% until 6 and then ramps down until lights off at 10:30. As far as color goes it ramps from 40% at noon up to 80% at 3:30 and then ramps down until lights off at 10:30.

 

[cginter]

Where do you guys purchase your t5's retro fit kits at. I want to add t5's to my light set up

 

[WetWhistle]

I have them ramping up in intensity from 8% at noon to 60% at 3:30. It runs at 60% until 6 and then ramps down until lights off at 10:30. As far as color goes it ramps from 40% at noon up to 80% at 3:30 and then ramps down until lights off at 10:30.

Before spending money try upping the intensity slowly. I run my LED at 84% intensity for normal daytime and 90% intensity for my peak time so you are not getting enough intensity. If this doesn't work look at supplemental T5 but right now you are running your lights at a fraction of what they can do. I would not up it by more then 2% to 5% per week. The lower is safest but if you are experienced at seeing corals issues and you are around to look at the tank a few times a day you can try the 5%. Just watch for any signs of distress but at 2% weekly I have not seen any.

A few months ago I added T5 and they are on for 3 hrs a day at my peak time as supplemental lighting. I prefer the all LED look and I myself only use T5 as supplemental as I am not a fan of them. When the T5 are on I loose the shimmer look I like with the only LED on. Only reason I use any T5 at all is I find mixed lighting no matter what it is works better and to prevent any possible shading as the corals get larger.

 

[WetWhistle]

Where do you guys purchase your t5's retro fit kits at. I want to add t5's to my light set up

I use this one but in the 60". BRS should also sell something close.

http://www.reefsupplies.ca/online-store/LET-48-2x54W-Miro-4-T5-High-Output-Retrofit-Kit.html

 

[Salty1962]

What fixture did you go with and what combination of bulbs are you using?

I'm using 3x Blue+ and 1x Purple+. Run they for 8hrs a day.

 

[CarolinaReefs]

Here is what I'm doing. Its more of a retrofit than anything else.

I am currently using 1 AB+ and 1 B+
I have some more parts on the way so that I can add 2 more bulbs to it. I am going to run 2 T5s in the back, the 2 Kessils, and 2 T5s in the front.

 

[jlanger]

What fixture did you go with and what combination of bulbs are you using?

The fixtures are the Sunblaster NanoTech T5 HO Fixture Reflector Combo.
And I am using two ATI Blue+ bulbs to supplement the two Radion Pro LED fixtures.