MontiFanatic402
Active Member
are you looking at getting one or two retro kits? I would go with two kits, I dont think one would be enough, and with two, there would be no doubt!
SPS Lighting Question
- Thread starter Brandon McHenry
- Start date
- Tagged users None
OP
OP
Yes the thought was either two retro-fit kits with the hydra 52's or a complete switch to a 6 bulb t5.
Of course it ultimately your call, but with all the SPS you do have, in the long run, for growth and color, its the only way to go. But, thats just my opinion.
OP
OP
In your opinion do you not feel that T5 can not achieve similar results to MH?
ronnie
Acro addict
I've had equal success in growth and coloration with MH and T5. I prefer T5 because I can change one bulb and tweak the overall color dramatically. You can do that with halides as well, but that one bulb will cost you 3-4 times more. 
OP
OP
Do you feel that an LED system with the hydra 52's and four T5's is sufficient enough to achieve good coloration and growth? I don't want to make another mistake where lighting is concerned. BTW I do like the fact that interchanging bulbs is easier with T5's, although Id probably just go with two AB special and two Blue plus.
MontiFanatic402
Active Member
Absolutley!!! The T5 will make a world of difference......I switched over to all T5 about 2.5 weeks ago, and I can already notice better coloration, and improved growth on my corals....expecially my sps. NO MORE SHADOWING! The overall health of my corals is much, MUCH better. I have no doubt that yours will improve ten-fold
OP
OP
With such great results then why go retro-fit? Why not just go full T5's?
ronnie
Acro addict
You lose the pop that LEDs give. You can easily remedy this by adding some stunner strips, though. Which produces some of the best coloration I've seen. I' e been kicking around adding a royal blue strip to mine - just haven't found one that I like and is easily controlled by my apex.
OP
OP
Well I guess it would be a little stupid to go full T5's and remove my hydra 52's if I'm only going to want that LED pop later down the road. Im just hoping that the four bulbs will be enough make make the difference Im looking for.
Alrighty, this is my opinion and I'll be sticking to it after all my test and results.
I had a standard 75 and on that I used to run 2mh and two t5 for atinics - best combo out there, but with a hefty budget due to electricity and bulb replacement
I switched from that beast to two radions gen 1 and added lens a fw months after - nice colouration and I never had then cranked to max, so it was a huge improvement over the previous fixture. The cons with the LEDs were shadowing... Although it wasn't too bad as the tank was 18" wide so I had a good coverage, although SP's always casted a shadow
My new system started in January is a standard 120 4*2*2 and wanted to try something different so I got a ati six bulb sun power ... And its awesome in terms of coloration and no more shadowing at the moment (SP's are small)... I did miss the pop so I added two stunner strips for the meantime, but it looks like crap...
My friend has a ati hybrid 8 bulb and that is ultimate in terms of coverage, color and most important ... The pop is awesome, and the color is amazing.
That's my next step as well as I really miss the pop and don't really feel like playing with stunner strips or supplemental LEDs... Just keeps adding to the cost and ultimately I want to upgrade to a hybrid fixture as well.
I had a standard 75 and on that I used to run 2mh and two t5 for atinics - best combo out there, but with a hefty budget due to electricity and bulb replacement
I switched from that beast to two radions gen 1 and added lens a fw months after - nice colouration and I never had then cranked to max, so it was a huge improvement over the previous fixture. The cons with the LEDs were shadowing... Although it wasn't too bad as the tank was 18" wide so I had a good coverage, although SP's always casted a shadow
My new system started in January is a standard 120 4*2*2 and wanted to try something different so I got a ati six bulb sun power ... And its awesome in terms of coloration and no more shadowing at the moment (SP's are small)... I did miss the pop so I added two stunner strips for the meantime, but it looks like crap...
My friend has a ati hybrid 8 bulb and that is ultimate in terms of coverage, color and most important ... The pop is awesome, and the color is amazing.
That's my next step as well as I really miss the pop and don't really feel like playing with stunner strips or supplemental LEDs... Just keeps adding to the cost and ultimately I want to upgrade to a hybrid fixture as well.
OP
OP
So are you suggesting I don't use a retro-fit kit? It seems counter intuitive for me to purchase a hybrid kit if I already have LED's on my tank.
In your case you have quite a few options, it all depends on what you want to achieve... would you like to depend more on LED's or T5's to light up the tank?
I would add 4 T5's and reduce the LED's by quite a bit, or upgrade to a ATI hybrid if you got the cash and you could also get by with a 60" fixture, don't necessarily need a 72"
You could also sell the LED's and get a ATI Sunpower and add some blue reef brite to the unit. Under this thread there is one 60" sunpower for a superdecent price
Could easily sell the LEDS and buy that fixture + one or two blue reef brite fixtures and you would be saving some cash as well. Due to the size of the tank you don't need more than 6 t5's and missing 6" on both sides is not a deal breaker... I think it gives you more coral placement options if anything and the difference is negligible. At this point the LED's are mainly only for shimmer/pop/dusk/dawn effect.
Downside to the T5 is the bulb replacement and heat.
Deep_Six Corals
Active Member
You already have the leds so the most logical thing would be to add the t5s. The led t5 combo would give you coverage and the par you need. Your tank is rather deep but From the pictures you posted your current lights are doing rather decent. You'll be plenty satisfied with the addition of the t5s
