SPS coral before/after T5 Hybrid LED

[Mtbrider85]

Does anyone have any real demonstrable improvement in SPS color/growth rate after adding T5 to a tank previously only lit by LED? Do you have pictures of your corals before and after?

I'd like to see both positive/negative feedback on SPS reefers that have gone from just LED to a hybrid LED/T5 combo.

 

[Journeyman]

I only have less, so I'm following. My guess is the biggest difference will be in the shaded areas.

I feel the the colors look pretty good under LED only, but I get obvious sharing on the underside.

 

[Mtbrider85]

It's interesting that most polls on this subject point to a hybrid led/t5 being the best. Bulk reef supply markets the aquatic life hybrid combo the most/best. Yet, there seems to be nothing supporting it online. Especially in regards to SPS coral color and growth.

 

[Joedubyk]

The T5s are specifically for shading, not necessarily more growth. I run all LEDs, get awesome SPS growth and get the appropriate amount of par 330-350 at the tops of colonies)

Moreover, I think LEDs just make corals look better than The hybrids or T5. Id sooner add more leds for better spread than add t5s

The AL hybrid was ranked one of the best because it is the cheapest way to effectively get great spread + par.

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

The thing I have seen since adding t5 was some corals are changing color for the better. Deeper color look.

 

[Katrina71]

Could somebody post before/after pics together?

 

[nickkohrn]

C’mon, let’s see some results!

 

[UWC]

Read this thread.. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/big-e-rimless-80g-sps.206607/

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

Could somebody post before/after pics together?

Sorry unfortunately I haven't taken any before and after pictures I wish I had.

 

[jda]

Schnitzel was Radion and now T5. He documents a lot in his thread in the SPS forum somewhere. Are you saying that without photos that all these people are not telling the truth or are fools? All of them?

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

All light sources, even the sun, will still produce shaded areas when the corals grow. I use LED only but I have 4 times the recommended amount and mounted them 16” above the waters surface.

This miyagi tort has been growing underneath the rock above it.

These are producing they’re own shade but it doesn’t seem to be hindering anything

 

[Backreefing]

Here is one acropora frag led before led/ t5 after

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

Here is one acropora frag led before led/ t5 after

How much time in between

 

[Backreefing]

1 month

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

1 month

That’s pretty solid

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

Led Only
Oct 24th

Just now

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Led Only
Oct 24th

Just now

Your tank is a solid argument for led only as are a few others here that I’ve seen. I believe MrV also is led only (radions) as well as some people showing off in the Reefi led thread.

I believe the key is simply having enough power to maintain adequate par at a height that is higher than usual.

For example: 1 AI prime, 1.5ft up over a 50g display isn’t going to cut it.

 

[Backreefing]

I’ve been reading that t5 lights are the bomb . Led you can change colors probably a bad thing for most people.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I’ve been reading that t5 lights are the bomb . Led you can change colors probably a bad thing for most people.

The tune ability of the quality led systems is definitely a gift and a curse.

 

[LARedstickreefer]

The tune ability of the quality led systems is definitely a gift and a curse.

If only my corals could speak...