T5 supplement to my Kessil 360we

[IanMauger]

One of my summer projects is to supplement my Kessils with T5s since I have been on an SPS kick for months. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Kessils, I have no complaints, I get great color and amazing growth from all of my corals, plus the shimmer makes the tank look more natural. The issue I’m really starting to have now is shading as the once frags are becoming colonies.

The tank is 48” long and I have two 360we about 5” off the water (not the best for spread, but it’s what I have to deal with given my canopy height. Open top isn’t an option really. I have a cat. And he would be more then happy to have a feast.) Due to the closeness to the water line I have to dial the intensity down to 40%, anything higher literally cooks corals. So to remedy this I am thinking to add 4 T5 bulbs, 2 to each side. I have looked at the hybrid but I think a retrofit kit/DIY would be more economical and easier for me.

What would you all suggest the bulbs be as the supplement? I dont need the full spectrum I don’t believe, just something to curb shading and aide in growth/coloration. Finally, is this something that would benefit me?

 

[jda]

You do need the full spectrum. It will help. Full spectrum is needed for the best color rendition in the corals - illuminating them is up to the beholder.

Bulbs are ultimately up to you. I would go with a pair of 6500k/Daylight and a pair of True Actinic for the best possible spectrum and a whiter look. Others who like a more blue look will recommend Blue Plus or Coral Plus. You really cannot go wrong here... they all will look good if you choose well for what you like. Nearly every T5 bulb will have a more complete and fuller spectrum than the Kessils do, just some with more of some colors than others.

Yes, I think that 4x T5s will curb shading and have better growth and coloration.

 

[Kyl]

I'm running two ATI blue+ and two actinic with my A160's. I'm going to try removing one of the actinic and replacing it with a coral+. Mostly happy with the look but want to see how the coral plus tweaks things.

* this is mostly in anticipation of my SPS frags going in once the forever QT period is up, but I've noticed things seem to have perked up a bit since the T5's were added, especially the anemone clones.

 

[IanMauger]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'm currently running a Kessil AP700 with the Aquatic Life T5 Hybrid running two ATI Blue+ and two ATI Actinic and everything seems to be loving it. I use the blue+ and the actinic for the blue spectrum, and then have the kessil fill in the whites at about 50% color.

 

[Bpb]

I second JDA’s recommendation. Came here to say the same thing. Pair a 6500k and a true actinic on each side. That will 100% fill any spectral and shading deficiencies you have. If you just LOVE the overly blue look, then run those bulbs for 4-5 hours a day when you’re not home and your kessils on a bluer setting to display all the colors that the t5 bulbs will be producing. At this point, your kessils have become supplements to the t5ho, not the other way around.

 

[moreef]

I have 4 kessil 360 over 5ft 155g. I was going to get that t5 fixture with the mounts in the middle for kessils but decided to get the retro kit from Let and have 2 on either side of the kessils and love it. I have them mounted to the underside of the canopy.

 

[IanMauger]

I have 4 kessil 360 over 5ft 155g. I was going to get that t5 fixture with the mounts in the middle for kessils but decided to get the retro kit from Let and have 2 on either side of the kessils and love it. I have them mounted to the underside of the canopy.

That’s what I’m thinking about doing! Looks great, how do the corals like it?

 

[moreef]

That’s what I’m thinking about doing! Looks great, how do the corals like it?

I had ATI 4 bulb and sold it to get better spread with the kessils. Had the kessils in back and was difficult with the ati fixture in the way. This allowed me to mount kessils in middle of tank and corals are doing great. The retro kits take a little work to mount and wire up but you can stagger them and direct light a little more.
The aquatic life hybrid fixtures are really sweet and would be easy to set up just a little more money. Either way T5 and led is awesome combo imo

 

[drtrash]

Pricing out the retro of 4-t5s and hybric unit is about same cost and still have to build a frame for retro

 

[1stNoel]

I'm currently running a Kessil AP700 with the Aquatic Life T5 Hybrid running two ATI Blue+ and two ATI Actinic and everything seems to be loving it. I use the blue+ and the actinic for the blue spectrum, and then have the kessil fill in the whites at about 50% color.

How high did you mount the fixture over the waterline?

I currently have mine 12" from the waterline...which keeps PAR at 50 on the bottom but 175-200 in the upper middle where the SPS corals are. This at 35% intensity with 3 AP700s mounted across 2 Aquatic Life T5 Hybrids (each with 2 Blue+, 1 Coral+, and 1 Actinic bulb). PAR was measured with a Seneye,

I'd like to somehow maintain 50-75 PAR on the bottom of the tank (24" depth), but increase PAR to 250-350 on the top half. I can't see a way of doing this without raising the fixture...possibly to 16".

In summary: How high can T5s be above the waterline before they lose effectiveness at 12 to 18 inch depths?

 

[Crabs McJones]

How high did you mount the fixture over the waterline?

I currently have mine 12" from the waterline...which keeps PAR at 50 on the bottom but 175-200 in the upper middle where the SPS corals are. This at 35% intensity with 3 AP700s mounted across 2 Aquatic Life T5 Hybrids (each with 2 Blue+, 1 Coral+, and 1 Actinic bulb). PAR was measured with a Seneye,

I'd like to somehow maintain 50-75 PAR on the bottom of the tank (24" depth), but increase PAR to 250-350 on the top half. I can't see a way of doing this without raising the fixture...possibly to 16".

In summary: How high can T5s be above the waterline before they lose effectiveness at 12 to 18 inch depths?

8 inches