T5 or LED

[Pittsburgh88]

75 gallon Mixed Reef.

I've been thinking lately about changing my lights from LED to T5. My corals seem to be happy with my setup of LED Zoas grow like crazy but I love the look that the T5 gives to the coral just seems to make them pop more. With my leds now they just seem blah color wise. If I were to go T5 what wattage would I need or should I go a combo and keep my Leds and just at T5 bulbs with a mount?

 

[Crabs McJones]

75 gallon Mixed Reef.

I've been thinking lately about changing my lights from LED to T5. My corals seem to be happy with my setup of LED Zoas grow like crazy but I love the look that the T5 gives to the coral just seems to make them pop more. With my leds now they just seem blah color wise. If I were to go T5 what wattage would I need or should I go a combo and keep my Leds and just at T5 bulbs with a mount?

I would suggest looking into a hybrid option. What LEDS are you currently using? The Aquatic life fixtures allow you to utilize your current LEDS and add 4 T5's

 

[Pittsburgh88]

I would suggest looking into a hybrid option. What LEDS are you currently using? The Aquatic life fixtures allow you to utilize your current LEDS and add 4 T5's

Running 2 Chinese black boxes

 

[madweazl]

Running 2 Chinese black boxes

Not an option for the AquaticLife hybrid unfortunately (would end up 24" wide).

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I would try and go hybrid led and t5. I had led, switched to t5, then added the orphek bars for the led punch. Couldn’t be happier with my current setup for lighting.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Running 2 Chinese black boxes

Unfortunately the aquatic life cannot accommodate those. are your lights in a canopy or hanging over the tank?

 

[Pittsburgh88]

Unfortunately the aquatic life cannot accommodate those. are your lights in a canopy or hanging over the tank?

They are hanging

 

[madweazl]

Perhaps a floating canopy with something like the LET retrofit would work for you? Have you investigated board options for your black boxes? Seems there are a few companies making replacement boards with different diodes that may help in the coloration department. Not sure if that's an economical choice or not? Cant go wrong with T5s though.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Retro for kit.
But hanging Heith will determine if the t5 is effective.

 

[Pittsburgh88]

Perhaps a floating canopy with something like the LET retrofit would work for you? Have you investigated board options for your black boxes? Seems there are a few companies making replacement boards with different diodes that may help in the coloration department. Not sure if that's an economical choice or not? Cant go wrong with T5s though.

That's what I was thinking as well nd you are correct T5s look great