T-5 with LED

[Unregistered User]

Placement. I have a T5 about 1/2 the size of my tank. Can LED be placed at either end? No T5 mixed lighting I have come across, in member tank threads seem to do this.

 

[Daltrey]

You could but you wouldn't get even light coverage across the tank. You would need to use a par meter to find out where to place your corals also. Depending on how bright your leds were you would probably also have to turn them down to match the T5's. Also if you wanted to use different color t5's like coral plus or blue plus then unless you could get your leds to match the color it wouldnt look very good in the tank. I personally wouldn't do it.

I'm currently waiting on the aquatic life 60" t5 hybrid to pair with my radions. They are suppose to be releasing it next month.

 

[Unregistered User]

You could but you wouldn't get even light coverage across the tank. You would need to use a par meter to find out where to place your corals also. Depending on how bright your leds were you would probably also have to turn them down to match the T5's. Also if you wanted to use different color t5's like coral plus or blue plus then unless you could get your leds to match the color it wouldnt look very good in the tank. I personally wouldn't do it.

Can't recall the company and its an easy name, but there was a recent review on the T5 designed to hold LED of one's choice in the center. Members seemed to love it or hate it. Do you know what I'm referring to? If so would you buy? I'm not electrically handy I can't build my own light. Not in an area with a huge used market.

You could but you wouldn't get even light coverage across the tank. You would need to use a par meter to find out where to place your corals also. Depending on how bright your leds were you would probably also have to turn them down to match the T5's. Also if you wanted to use different color t5's like coral plus or blue plus then unless you could get your leds to match the color it wouldnt look very good in the tank. I personally wouldn't do it.

 

[Daltrey]

Ha, I had just edited it into the post when you replied

 

[Unregistered User]

I am so confused. Lol, i swear only the first paragrah popped up!

 

[Unregistered User]

Ha, I had just edited it into the post when you replied

I'm going to "follow" you to see how you like it.

 

[Daltrey]

There have been t5 hybrids on the market but at a cost of a couple thousand hence why they aren't widely used. Now with the aquatic life hybrid those of us with leds already can make the switch alot more affordably.

 

[Unregistered User]

There have been t5 hybrids on the market but at a cost of a couple thousand hence why they aren't widely used. Now with the aquatic life hybrid those of us with leds already can make the switch alot more affordably.

Ya all the negatives were on structure. However I'm so new I don't have lots to compare it to anyway.

 

[Unregistered User]

Thank ya.

 

[Daltrey]

Here is basically one of the better t5 hybrids on the market. Also one of the most expensive.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/auro...BkLtP08xnFQ2Im2HoAKqXZyxjlURwkc4aAmG0EALw_wcB

 

[Unregistered User]

Here is basically one of the better t5 hybrids on the market. Also one of the most expensive.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/auro...BkLtP08xnFQ2Im2HoAKqXZyxjlURwkc4aAmG0EALw_wcB

My first thought was it costs $800 to smuggle a child out of Syria. My second was sometimes you get what you pay for...

 

[Zaven D]

You could but you wouldn't get even light coverage across the tank. You would need to use a par meter to find out where to place your corals also. Depending on how bright your leds were you would probably also have to turn them down to match the T5's. Also if you wanted to use different color t5's like coral plus or blue plus then unless you could get your leds to match the color it wouldnt look very good in the tank. I personally wouldn't do it.

I'm currently waiting on the aquatic life 60" t5 hybrid to pair with my radions. They are suppose to be releasing it next month.

I agree with @Daltrey on this.

That fixture is definitely worth if you are looking for a hybrid led+T5 solution.

 

[MapleReef]

I agree with @Daltrey on this.

That fixture is definitely worth if you are looking for a hybrid led+T5 solution.

It’s a great fixture! Looks sharp too.
Just waiting on my kessils to arrive. But can also be outfitted with other led manufacturers lights.

 

[Daltrey]

Hey Maplereef, I really wish you had taken pictures for a diy on how you spliced the wires to make one power cord. Looks really clean. If I can figure out how you did it I am going to do mine the same way.

 

[NakiFantaki]

Okay here’s a newbie question... lol. How do the LEDs and T5s run together? I have always wondered this. For example, i have 2 AI Prime HDs on my tank. If i added that aquatic life T5 fixture would the T5 lights have to be controlled manually? What’s the best way to get them to run together? Timers?

 

[Daltrey]

I use an apex controller to run everything. A timer would work fine though. I plan on running my leds for 10 hours a day and t5’s for 4 during the middle of the day. With the leds ramping up for the first hour and ramping down for the last hour.

10-11 leds ramp up
1-5 t5’s on with leds
5-7 leds only
7-8 leds ramp down

 

[Instigate]

There have been t5 hybrids on the market but at a cost of a couple thousand hence why they aren't widely used. Now with the aquatic life hybrid those of us with leds already can make the switch alot more affordably.

Or if you don't have any nice LED units like me, I'm planning to buy the aquatic life 60" t5 hybrid unit and add the LED units later.

/Do we know if the SBReef Lights basic 16 unit fits in these?

 

[MapleReef]

Hey Maplereef, I really wish you had taken pictures for a diy on how you spliced the wires to make one power cord. Looks really clean. If I can figure out how you did it I am going to do mine the same way.

Here u go !
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/maple-reef’s-80-gallon-shallow-build.333232/page-4

 

[chefjpaul]

Ill be swapping out my DIY for one of the aquatic life hybrids, they look sleek.
Just need to paint it.

 

[Daltrey]

Here u go !
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/maple-reef’s-80-gallon-shallow-build.333232/page-4

So you just cut off the ends and rerouted them. Did you just splice them together to one power cord?