Would this enchace LED

Tab28 · Jan 17, 2012

I have a friend looking to sell his 120 watt LED unit. It is a 2:1 blue white ratio, with 40 LED's each are 3 watts, less than 1 year of use. I have seem several posts about the color specturm of just using LED lights and people posting about corals loosing color/growth hampering. Has anyone tried LED with T5's? I am guessing the LED fails are hobbiest using LED as the sole lighting without any red, green or violet spectrum. I would be using 4 T5's with a mix of 10k, blue, pink and Fiji something, looks purple. I forget the names that the bulb slaes colors but they are ATI's I bought a punch when they were on sale.

swannyson7 · Jan 17, 2012

I'm currently using a mix of LED & T5 and I've had great results.

ReefLEDLights · Jan 19, 2012

I started with and LED T5 Mix with great results. After my bulb supply ran out I ditched the T5 for 100% LEDs.

All the talk about corals loosing colour or not thriving under LEDs is either a result of poor acclimation, not enough LEDs or other circumstances not lighting related.

In the ocean most wavelengths are quickly reduced with the exception of Blue. The Corals have adapted and are very receptibe to the 420-470nm spectrum. Other spectrums may enhance certain pigments and can easily be added but they do little for growth. The reds do help photosynthesis but may promote nuisance algae.

reefkoi · Jan 19, 2012

I agree 100%

Tab28 · Jan 19, 2012

I decided to try the LED and T5 for now. Or maybe do half the tank in LED/T5 and keep half MH. There is plenty of back and forth on LED=good LED=bad. I decided to try it myself and see. There is too much what seems plausible information on both sides. It may be true on a few things you mentioned on why some LED users are not having good effects. To me it adds to the more information is needed. What is enough LED's and What is too much LED's which optics do I need? Was it do much of an angle in optics? Was any of those the reason. Many people do not have the money or time to keep tweeking until they find the right recipe for LED's. I am going to try LED/T5's and I hope it works for me but will keep my MH in the garage just in case I do not have the right recipe, others much better than me have not.