When to supplement LEDs with t5s?

[Jl330]

I have 2 Chinese black boxes over my 75 and I feel like something is lacking. I don't know, maybe it's the shimmery effect or all the shadows, but I wonder if I could benefit from adding a t5 or 2.

I'm not really sure what the benefits of additional lighting are.

 

[mcarroll]

If you get the best lights for you to begin with, there are no benefits.

Consider either adding one or two more black boxes to get more complete coverage, or consider switching to LED strips that give you "coast to coast" coverage by design.

Check out @saltyfilmfolks black box setup for example!

 

[ihavecrabs]

I have 2 Chinese black boxes over my 75 and I feel like something is lacking. I don't know, maybe it's the shimmery effect or all the shadows, but I wonder if I could benefit from adding a t5 or 2.

I'm not really sure what the benefits of additional lighting are.

Depends on the quality of the LED's you are using. If they provide the full spectrum, then from a lighting needs perspective, as long as you have the duration set appropriately, you should be good (generally speaking). Other items to be aware of would be hot spots, PAR output, etc..

When you start getting small colonies, shadowing might become an issue. I have seen people add T5's to minimize shadowing.

Some people also add them as they don't like the "disco effect" that LED's can sometimes produce.

What I will say is, there are many many people that have huge success with standalone LED's.. from black box to high end.

 

[Jl330]

Depends on the quality of the LED's you are using. If they provide the full spectrum, then from a lighting needs perspective, as long as you have the duration set appropriately, you should be good (generally speaking). Other items to be aware of would be hot spots, PAR output, etc..

When you start getting small colonies, shadowing might become an issue. I have seen people add T5's to minimize shadowing.

Some people also add them as they don't like the "disco effect" that LED's can sometimes produce.

What I will say is, there are many many people that have huge success with standalone LED's.. from black box to high end.

Oh I know they'll grow coral just fine. I just don't like the "disco effect"

My wife likes it but it's my tank and she can get over it.

I may wait till my colonies grow out and and a couple 48" bulbs.

 

[ihavecrabs]

Oh I know they'll grow coral just fine. I just don't like the "disco effect"

My wife likes it but it's my tank and she can get over it.

I may wait till my colonies grow out and and a couple 48" bulbs.

Yeah, a T5 bulb in the front and back would do wonders to eliminate the disco effect.. and when your wife wants to see the disco, you can easily turn them off

Best of both worlds!