A few pics of Schnitzel's sticks
- Thread starter SchnitzelReef
- Start date
SchnitzelReef
Active member
Thanks buddy. Growth is insane. I'm really mad at myself for not going with 2 ATI fixtures from the beginning. LEDs are great, but with an Sps dominant tank, T5s are the way to go. I understand people spend lots of money on LEDs, so it's hard for people to say they aren't totally happy with them. (Apparently I was one of them) I was lying to myself for all those years. Will LEDs grow Sps, yes, but if you want the best color and the best growth, LEDs are NOT the way to go.
rickztahone
New member
That is quite a statement! I am not disagreeing with you here, but it is good to have a real world experience opinion. These are the people I listen to, not the ones that "think" one is better than the other when they have never tried both/more.
dodgerblew
Team RC
Agree 100%. Before diving into Aquaforest review threads. I've heard mixed
SchnitzelReef
Active member
I've had Radium 250w metal halides, DIY LEDs, DIY led/t5 hybrid, Radion/t5 hybrid, and now 100% t5s. Out of all of those different lights, t5s take the cake.
Just a reminder, I am talking about Sps dominant tanks only. If you have a mixed reef, or just a handful of Sps, LEDs are great. Most of your corals will grow and look great with LEDs. I have 50+ different acros in my tank, some loved LEDs, and some hated the them.
There is one acro I got 2 years ago, the AoA Triton. It was a nice acro, but being just a small 1" frag, it was hard to really appreciate it. For the past 2 years it's slowly encrusted, and turned a nice shade of brown. Man, this thing is insane looking. It's turning bright yellow. Really nice looking acro.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
You were using blue plus T5 with LED previously, do you think it's the addition of the coral plus and purple plus bulbs? Or is it the intensity you're getting from the fixtures that's making the difference.
dodgerblew
Team RC
I'd like to comment that led was the worst thing I ever did for LPS. They morphed in a matter of days and that was at very low intensity and more on the blue side. Only led that worked on acans were the kessil a150 as par was low.
SchnitzelReef
Active member
I'm gunna guess it's a bit of both. I'm still using 12 blue + bulbs, (6 per fixture) so maybe the higher intensity from the blue + mixed with coral/purple +. Your guess is as good as mine.
I believe that. I wasn't trying to ruffle any LED feathers, but even the few acans I have look night and day better. I don't know how that's possible. Nothing has changed as far as water parameters go. Corals just love t5s.
Moral of my story, if your spending thousands of dollars on corals and equipment, might as well spend a couple hundred bucks a year on new bulbs to keep corals looking happy. That was my biggest excuse to not switch the t5s. "UGHH, I hate bulb changes". What a lame excuse. My tank gets maybe .5* hotter, and new bulbs every 6-8 months is well worth it.
dodgerblew
Team RC
Nick, 6-8 is to soon IMO. I do 10-12 months and don't miss a beat. I change 2 a week over a 4 week period
SchnitzelReef
Active member
Going full aquaforest. I've already made one 30g water change with the probiotic salt, and I ordered another 30g bucket and other products.
Coral A
Coral E
Coral B
I am following another RC member that seems to have pretty good luck with her Sps. The prices aren't nearly as expensive as Korallen Zucht is, so it's much easier to give it a try. The salt was $30, and the other 3 products were $40ish off amazon.
watchguy123
New member
Very cool, t5's and now aqua forest. I have followed some of the aqua forest tanks that have threads. Pretty nice results. Although I always seem to be doing something to my tank everyday, I'm not sure I want to add a few extra things like when to dose each supplement. You'll have to share both results and work involved. Look forward to your updates
SchnitzelReef
Active member
Yea, I decided what I was doing was working, so time to make some changes. T5s have made a huge difference already, I'm really kicking myself for not switching out LEDs along time ago. I think my corals look even better then when I was running 250w Radiums. SPS seem to just love that evenly distributed light.
The aquaforest products were cheap, so if they don't work, I won't be too bummed. I already dose things like potassium nitrate, Pohls Xtra, and ME amino, so switching to Aquaforest is not a big deal for me.
SchnitzelReef
Active member
Let's see what happens
SchnitzelReef
Active member
Had my canopy down to cut open some vents for the new T5s. Decided to snap a couple pics. They are all shot with my iPhone under all blue Reefbrite XHO
SchnitzelReef
Active member
dodgerblew
Team RC
All Delight
New member
looking good nick
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