Add T5s with my LEDs on new build

S

steallife904

New member
So I am upgrading tank and will be adding a canopy on the new tank. I currently run LED only which have done fine they have just never been able to get the corals to color up, think they could grow faster as well. So I think for the new build I will add some t5s. I think for space I would add a retro fit like Aruba Sun High Output T5 Retrofit - V SERIES. Can I get your opinion on t5 units/retro fits I should look at and what bulbs would I want to go with my LEDs? Was thinking the coral grow bulbs that are like 15k? Let me know thank you
 
I think for your T5's, ATI coral plus and blue plus tubes will give you exactly what you're chasing mate. :)
 
biggles said:
I think for your T5's, ATI coral plus and blue plus tubes will give you exactly what you're chasing mate. :)
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Seems I've been running across David in a lot of these threads. He helped me pull the trigger on adding T5's to my LEDs a few months back.

The fixture he mentions is spot on. I personally went with the sun blaster nano tech off amazon.

I quote above bc these are the bulbs I went went and love them. I have two bulbs, blue plus in the back and coral plus up front.
 
if anyone could provide me with some links to one that would help and be appreciated! I think i would go with a 48in or 60in one, the new tank is 5ft long which do you recommend? the only thing i was wondering with a 60in t5 is if it would fit in the canopy since its the same size as tank?

Also how much heat will one of these retrofits put out? Since i only run LEDS now i dont have a heat issue so wasnt sure. I plan on putting a fan on the back of the canopy to blow some air in. I think i will have it come on when the T5s turn on. Was also thinking i will run T5s 3-4 hours a day, mid day. During that time i would power the LEDs down and turn them back up when T5s are off then slowly power down until night? Any suggestions? thank you!
 
steallife904 said:
if anyone could provide me with some links to one that would help and be appreciated! I think i would go with a 48in or 60in one, the new tank is 5ft long which do you recommend? the only thing i was wondering with a 60in t5 is if it would fit in the canopy since its the same size as tank?

Also how much heat will one of these retrofits put out? Since i only run LEDS now i dont have a heat issue so wasnt sure. I plan on putting a fan on the back of the canopy to blow some air in. I think i will have it come on when the T5s turn on. Was also thinking i will run T5s 3-4 hours a day, mid day. During that time i would power the LEDs down and turn them back up when T5s are off then slowly power down until night? Any suggestions? thank you!
Click to expand...

Here I'd a link for the 48" LET retro kit
http://http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-ft-let-lighting-miro-4-t5-high-output-retrofit-kit.html
I don't believe BRS carries the 60" but if you do a Google search for LET Miro-4 60" you will find a number of places to order from.

I installed 4 bulbs of supplemental T5 to my LEDS last summer and am very happy with it. Installation isn't too hard but the wiring can be a little tricky as no instructions were included but the wiring diagram is on the ballast.

I think you could go with either size for a 5 foot tank. I personally wanted edge to edge coverage. As far as fitting in the canopy, they are shorter than the advertised length, for example the installed length of the 48" kit is about 46.8" so fit with the 60" should be no issue.

You will add a little heat but it won't be bad with just 2 bulbs. For myself to get 4 bulbs of supplemental on an 8' tank I had to add 8 bulbs, (4) 48" bulbs end to end and a fan on the back of the canopy, timed to run when the T5s are on, handles the extra heat just fine.

I agree with what others have posted on bulb selection, 1 blue plus and 1 coral plus.

I run 2 bulbs for 9 hours and the remaining bulbs for 4 hours, though may move this to 5 or 6 over time.
I wouldn't necessarily decrease the intensity of your LEDS when you have the T5s on, though you may need to adjust color on them to get the look you want. Just start with a short duration on the T5s and increase over time. Keep a close eye on your corals and let them be your guide.
 
I used an 8 bulb tek fixture I bought used, gutted the middle 4 bulbs and installed radions. For the 4 remaining bulbs I bought ATI ballast. So far I am happy with the color and growth. I just lost most my sps during a move so time to start again.
 
Reefnerd has the 60" kits.

When I added four 60" T5's I began to have temperature spikes and had to add a clip on fan in the canopy to keep the temps down. Your mileage may vary...
 
Yes I found it on reefnerds. I'm going to go with one of the 60s with my LEDs. Will get the blue plus and the coral plus bulbs. Since I am only adding one hopefully Heat won't be a big deal, adding a fan also. Now I need to decide if I want to add the LEDs up front and the t5 behind them in canopy or vice versa
 
Put LEDs in the middle with 1 bulb T5 in front and one behind. With the retro kit, the 2 bulbs don't need to be right next to each other.
 
i didnt realize that! i though they had to be right next to each other. In that case.... :) which bulb should i put up front and which in back if i go with the blue plus and the coral plus or does it not matter???
 
Just try them in both positions and see what look you like most. Position won't matter much besides visual impact.
 
thats what i will do! thank you,

actually just found out today i am looking at 7 weeks before i recieve the new tank.... going to feel like forever! But i have all the equipment ready to go other than this retrofit kit that i will order today.
 
i ended up buying the LET 60" T5 retrofit kit with a blue plus and a coral grow ATI bulb. Will put one in front of the LEDs and one behind. I was advised yesterday that my tank could end up being here in 2 weeks.... so my timeline is 2-7 weeks. I plan on doing a build thread once i get it set up but i have all the equipment sitting ready to go other than the stuff in my current tank i am going to move over. :)
 
I added 2 bulbs to my radions. I put both bulbs upfront in an attempt to improve shading issues from the front. I could care less if the backside of the corals is not colored.

Chose blue and coral plus. Excuse the ghetto install. I have it set up with tire wraps for now but plan on running all cables through the wall when I decide to keep them...

 
i never really though about just putting both up front and not worrying about the back..... i may rethink how i mount them now. i guess it would make sense to put them both in front since i will have more coral up front.
 
Since you are only using two bulbs putting them both up front makes sense to me. If you put one in front and back and then use a coral+ and blue+ you might get some color banding where the front of the tank would pick up one color and the back would look like the other. Could fix this by just going with one bulb type but putting them both right next to each other would fix this.

Also +1 on the LET retrofit...everything I have read is that they are very nice. I was looking at going with a retro but ended up buying a fixture
 
I also use a T5/LED combo.
I used ATI Blue+ for both my T5 supplements, one front, one back, because the LED's I have have the option to dial up or down the white aesthetic. This makes it easier for me to achieve the 15-16K look I prefer and the added bonus of the all the PAR the ATI blue+ bulbs add.
Two of these added so much so I had to raise the entire fixture up by another 2 inches.

You'll be very happy with the added bulbs, as will your corals.
The ATI Blue+ is the most popular bulb of choice due to the levels of PAR and its ability to make corals fluoresce loudly.

Coral + is a great bulb to but more full spectrum .
 
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