T5 with Kessil A360x worth it?

[Grossman90]

Hey, I was wondering if there was any point in supplementing my kessils with t5 for a zoa frag tank. I've had a few people tell me how t5 always bring out better color and polyp size with leds. I read the spectrum of kessils are close to a t5 ati blue plus bulb so I figured it wouldn't change much. Some info from people who use both would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Gablami]

I have t5 kessil hybrid lighting on my tank. For a zoa frag tank I don’t think you’ll get much benefit from t5. The benefit of t5 is the reduction of shadowing, particularly with acropora. Kessils alone should grow zoas just fine.

 

[Grossman90]

I have t5 kessil hybrid lighting on my tank. For a zoa frag tank I don’t think you’ll get much benefit from t5. The benefit of t5 is the reduction of shadowing, particularly with acropora. Kessils alone should grow zoas just fine.

Im trying to get better color. Growth is there. My flaming mohicans lost the green in them after a while of being in my tank. Wasn't sure if t5 would bring it back and help with more color on my other zoas.

 

[Hemmdog]

Im trying to get better color. Growth is there. My flaming mohicans lost the green in them after a while of being in my tank. Wasn't sure if t5 would bring it back and help with more color on my other zoas.

What’s your lighting program And spectrum look like ?

 

[Grossman90]

What’s your lighting program And spectrum look like ?

Par is around 120

 

[Hemmdog]

Par is around 120

Hmm, you run more white than I do. Not sure. My peak is 20 color, 60uv, 16red, 8 green. Ramp up and ramp down has less to no white/color.

 

[minus9]

You'll get more pop in the 20% to 30% color range. I run my violet at 100% during peak hours and just started to add about 5% red and green during peak hours as well. I'm currently running 25% color, but switched from 30% color to see if there is any difference? I don't think I can run below 25% color myself, but I can see the appeal of the extra blue. I save my blue viewing for the ramp up and down. I think running the 360x on its own perfectly fine and don't see the benefit of using T5's in your case. If you want some extra pop, then maybe adding an Orphek OR3 blue plus will work.

 

[Brian82143]

I ran 4 T5 bulbs with 2 Kessil A360's in a canopy and the coral growth was great. It definitely helps reduce shadowing and balances the lighting out as well.

Not sure if you have a canopy or would have everything over an open top, but be aware of the heat put out by the T5's with the Kessil's. I believe the heat generated from everything killed one of my Kessil's prematurely as it barely lasted more than a year. Very expensive mistake on my part.