T5s with LEDs

[guzzlo]

Well my tank has been set up for two years now. It's growing sps decently despite what everyone says about gen 2 radions and despite how I personally feel about them.

I however obtained a couple evergrow d120s a few months ago that were collecting dust. As "luck" would have it one of my fans in the radion blew and I had to take it down to service it. I put an evergrow up in it's place. All my coral sprouts new growth spots and looks better then ever. My tank doesn't have that radion glow but I'll take it if it means my coral will grow faster. Anyways here's the big question:....

Should I sell my radions and replace them with 2 d120 evergrows and 4 bulb t5 diy. I currently have 2 t5s in order to help diminish shadows. Also wondering what 4 bulbs would I want to use??...

Let me know what you guys think, any ideas and help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[kidtango]

I am running 8 bulbs ATi and 2 kessils on mine. I recommend you go with Ati blue + and coral +. So 2 blue+ and 2 coral+. That'll give you the spectrum, color, and growth! Can't beat that combo. Plus, you'll get a very nice even spread and color across the whole tank.

 

[guzzlo]

I am running 8 bulbs ATi and 2 kessils on mine. I recommend you go with Ati blue + and coral +. So 2 blue+ and 2 coral+. That'll give you the spectrum, color, and growth! Can't beat that combo. Plus, you'll get a very nice even spread and color across the whole tank.

Yeah I know I want a blue plus and I'm currently running a blue plus and a coral plus, but was wondering if throwing in actinic or a purple plus would be a good idea as a 4th bulb?

 

[GHill762]

I think I'd just double what you're running and make it 2 blue+ 2 coral+

but you could always buy a few extra bulbs and play around to find what balance you like..

 

[kidtango]

IMO, I think actinic and purple + are not that great especially you're running Leds. Without Leds then yes, go with purple plus for the extra pop. I wouldn't waste a space for actinic. You'll get plenty of that from your Leds. Plus the par on actinic bulbs are great. Run a blue + in its place if you like it more blue.

The goal is to get the full spectrum from your T5s and use Leds as your color control or enhancement. At least that's how I see. Otherwise, why even bother with T5s?

Yeah I know I want a blue plus and I'm currently running a blue plus and a coral plus, but was wondering if throwing in actinic or a purple plus would be a good idea as a 4th bulb?

 

[GHill762]

^precisely why I added t5, I wanted to fill any gaps left by led. I'm running 2 coral+, and I'll tell you what, I love the color with only the blue channel on and 2x coral+t5's, very sharp color

 

[guzzlo]

Honestly I was thinking the same with 2 blue+ and 2 coral plus but was worried about missing part of the spectrum. (The radion gen 2s have me overthinking everything now.).

 

[ncfishguy]

Keep radions and add ft5 retro