SPS dominant lighting help. T5 experts

[rtparty]

Ok, lack of spread/even coverage.

Then you'll want a 6 bulb Sunpower

 

[Graffiti Spot]

The best led tanks I have ever seen are all ran with a lot of fixtures mounted very high above the tank and ran at or near 100. And they do use their white bulbs, a lot. These tanks grew frags to large colonies (guessing most were between 12 and 18 inches) that filled in the tank in under two years. Some had articles written and some had spawning events, I mean they were nice tanks.
Now if I think really hard, I don't think I have ever seen a beautiful sps tank like the above, that used leds anywhere near a foot of the waterline.
Did you ever have the kessils mounted up higher?

Personally I would go with a non dimmable sunpower or powermodule. I had horrible issues with bad controllers. I also don't know what jda is talking about here. The best of both worlds is great if your using blue leds for supplement, but certainly isn't needed whatsoever.

 

[Guttersnipe]

Ok, T5 stick heads help a brotha out. I currently use 3-Kessil 360we's and 4-24in T5 retrofits over a 36in long mixed Acropora dominant reef.

I only have 24in T5 retrofits because I was experimenting with T5's to see if they added anything that was missing.

My Acropora are slowly turning into mini colonies and I can already see issue with lack of light on some of my Acropora.

If you were in my boat what would you do? I need to do something, but I'm on the fence. I like the shimmer and color pop of the Kessils and I already have them, but the health of some of my corals are suffering from lack of light.

A. 36in 6-8 bulb ati sunpower/dimmable sunpower exclusively.
B. 36in 6 bulb ati powermodule exclusively.
C. 36in 6-8 bulb ati sunpower/dimmable sunpower with 2-Kessil 360we's on the end angled inwards to supplement.
D. Step up to 36in T5 retrofits to replace current 24in T5's and keep three Kessils in place.

Is your tank a reefer 250?

 

[jda]

I agree. I think I made a choice a long time ago it's just understanding/implementing the choice that's the hard part. lol

If you made your choice, then what is it? You can get help implementing it. If it is T5s, then you cannot screw this up... just get a lot of bulbs over the tank and let them run for 8-10 hours. It is that easy.

 

[Scorpius]

Is your tank a reefer 250?

DSA 65 Pro.

 

[Scorpius]

If you made your choice, then what is it? You can get help implementing it. If it is T5s, then you cannot screw this up... just get a lot of bulbs over the tank and let them run for 8-10 hours. It is that easy.

Looks like ati sunpower with two of my kessils on the end for sunrise/sunset. Not sure on 6 or 8 bulb version. 8 bulb I could run two actinic bulbs.

 

[rtparty]

Looks like ati sunpower with two of my kessils on the end for sunrise/sunset. Not sure on 6 or 8 bulb version. 8 bulb I could run two actinic bulbs.

You can run 2 Actinic in a 6 bulb as well. The ATI actinic puts out good PAR. An 8 bulb fixture is like 22" wide IIRC so you'll be wasting a ton of light. I've found 8 bulb ATI units are best for 24-30" wide tanks. You'll have to really acclimate any LPS as well.

 

[Bpb]

Reflector to reflector on the 8 bulb is 18”. I run one over my 90 gallon. It is indeed a ton of light. At 12” height over the water, and 24” water depth I have acros growing sandbed level with great speed and color. I use a canopy though to keep all the light contained

 

[Scorpius]

So a 6 bulb would be more than enough for my tank.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

E parmeter.

 

[Scorpius]

E parmeter.

That would definitely help me dial things in.

 

[Eder]

We have a 10 bulb ATI with two kessils and wouldn’t change a thing. Literally no shade in this tank!

 

[BigJohnny]

36x21x20

3 kessils down the middle. 2 t5's in front and in back of the kessils.
I don't have a par meter.
PP is from 9am-8pm
12-3 t5's are on. Kessils max intensity is at 45% any higher things bleach. Lights are approximately 9-10 inches off the water line.

Not sure how you have two 24" t5s on the front and back of a 36" still, unless they are stacked front to back in which case yes upgrade to 36 to cover the whole tank to reduce shadowing if that is your problem.

So why do you think you don't have enough light if you don't have a par meter and you can't turn your kessils above 45% without bleaching corals?

 

[BigJohnny]

Ok, lack of spread/even coverage.

Well that's different, simple, your using 24" t5s on a 36" tank lol.

 

[DLuce510]

ATI powermodule hybrid all the way! Best thing ive ever done on my system. Ive done straight Led and straight T5's but the hybrid gives you consistency, and spread with the T5's and preset or custom spectrum changes with the leds with a night time royal blue. Can't go wrong!

 

[Guttersnipe]

ATI powermodule hybrid all the way! Best thing ive ever done on my system. Ive done straight Led and straight T5's but the hybrid gives you consistency, and spread with the T5's and preset or custom spectrum changes with the leds with a night time royal blue. Can't go wrong!

I agree 100% with this. I have used metal halides, kessils, radions, and mitras. The ati powermodule is my favorite light out of all of them.

 

[mitch91175]

As the world turns. It’s funny that many are switching back to the tried and true T5. I have myself and will likely next year do the same in my DT once my frags start growing out in my frag tank. I went with an 8x54 sunpower on the frag tank and moved everything out of the display to it. Things are definitely looking better with the sunpower.

 

[BoomCorals]

As the world turns. It’s funny that many are switching back to the tried and true T5. I have myself and will likely next year do the same in my DT once my frags start growing out in my frag tank. I went with an 8x54 sunpower on the frag tank and moved everything out of the display to it. Things are definitely looking better with the sunpower.

I did some pretty extensive testing, and no matter how good the corals looked or grew with LED, T5 always made them grow faster and look even better.

 

[rtparty]

Well that's different, simple, your using 24" t5s on a 36" tank lol.

24" T5s can cover a 36" tank without issue. Especially if they are 8-10" above the tank. I ran a 4x24w ATI Sunpower over my 40B and kept anything I wanted. Most people don't have rock from wall to wall. There is a gap of 3-6+" on each side meaning only a 24-30" area to light.

 

[Luno]

Couple of questions,

- what issues exactly are you seeing? (This is really important and I don't think it's been asked)

- is it from shadowing?
- are you absolutely certain it isn't from flow or nutrient levels, swings, anything that may also be a factor.

Really not trying to sound like a prick here but the kessils and 2 t5's front and back I really can't fathom it being inadequate light unless your tank is super tall.

If I was you I would be getting a par meter and measuring before changing my setup drastically.