Best bulb combo
- Thread starter Rarend99
- Start date
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
I have that exact graph directly from Oliver. I've also talked to him about it.
Something to consider.
More.
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I'm not saying an actinic is better than a Blue Plus bulb. The Blue Plus is easily one of the best bulbs on the market. People shouldn't be afraid to use an actinic if they enjoy that look. It will provide plenty of PAR and PUR for corals needs.
All I stated was that the actinic wasn't as low as PAR as you originally pointed out. That's it. Nothing more. Nothing less.
swk
New member
It wasn't directed at you, actually. I was actually following up on my comments in case other club members wanted more info as to where I pulled that info from.
A matter of perspective I suppose, but I consider 50 PAR to be a decent drop, and not considered on par.....pun intended.
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Dragonvale
New member
Just an option but I noticed a lot of reefers are using a T5/LED combination and love it. There are T5 led bulbs like Arcadia and Euroquatics as an option. Its a new concept as far as T5 led bulbs but worth looking at. Good luck.
Dragonvale
New member
No their fabricated like individuals cutting into T5 fixtures and adding their Hydra's etc. I was referencing the bulbs as a easier way of accomplishing it. The bulbs literally replace a T5 bulb so nothing easier than that. The LED's would be supplemental most likely actinic blues.
DivingTheWorld
Active member
Yeah, they make T5/LED combo fixtures (AI Powermodule) but they're like 2-3 times the price of a standard T5 fixture. So some people add Reefbrite LEDs which are less, but still $200-300 dollars depending on options.
There are some posts on the new LED T5 bulb by EuroQuatics where you basically just put their bulb in your T5 fixture in place of an existing T5 bulb. Reading the various threads, I'm not convinced that supplementing LED with T5 adds anything in terms of growth. But I think LED adds that extra pop glow to your corals purely from a visual aspect.
I'm currently considering switching out my Radion LEDs for a Sunpower dimmable fixture and looking to go with this combo:
Front
B+
C+
BP (EuroQuatics Blue Pop LED Bulb)
P+
B+
B+
C+
B+
Rear
Critiques?
There are some posts on the new LED T5 bulb by EuroQuatics where you basically just put their bulb in your T5 fixture in place of an existing T5 bulb. Reading the various threads, I'm not convinced that supplementing LED with T5 adds anything in terms of growth. But I think LED adds that extra pop glow to your corals purely from a visual aspect.
I'm currently considering switching out my Radion LEDs for a Sunpower dimmable fixture and looking to go with this combo:
Front
B+
C+
BP (EuroQuatics Blue Pop LED Bulb)
P+
B+
B+
C+
B+
Rear
Critiques?
2dawghouse
New member
I originally ran a T5/LED DIY combo and liked it (I now run MH/T5/LED combo). But when I used the T5 as my main source of lighting I supplemented it with LEDs to get some shimmer in the tank and add more POP to my corals. IMO blue leds add more POP to the tank/corals than T5s where as T5s are much better suited for your white balance due to the narrow NM/phosphorus banding that are associated with LEDs.
swk
New member
Check mhucaseys build thread. I'm pretty sure he has tried the euroaqutics bulbs and I don't think it was a very favorable experience.
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DivingTheWorld
Active member
I checked his thread and it looks like he's using two Blue Pops. But nothing negative yet. That said, I have read a few negative posts mostly having to do with sagging in the middle (I think generally the 48"+ bulbs) and a few people had issues with them no longer working.
I'd purely be adding one to help enhance the look of my corals, basically instead of a Reefbrite strip. I just can't justify the crazy cost of adding a Reefbrite when you include the dimmer. If I can toss in a Blue Pop LED, I can put it on the two bulb channel and use it for Dawn/Dusk dimming.
My plan is to do a 1 hour Dawn/Dusk dim on channel 2 with the rest of the bulbs running 100% for the in between time.
Anyone have suggestions on #hours to run the bulbs? Some say 5, some 8, some 10/day. I was thinking I'd probably start with 5 since my corals will likely get A LOT more PAR at the switch over, then gradually increase to say 8 hours plus a 1 hour dim on either end. Thoughts?
I'd purely be adding one to help enhance the look of my corals, basically instead of a Reefbrite strip. I just can't justify the crazy cost of adding a Reefbrite when you include the dimmer. If I can toss in a Blue Pop LED, I can put it on the two bulb channel and use it for Dawn/Dusk dimming.
My plan is to do a 1 hour Dawn/Dusk dim on channel 2 with the rest of the bulbs running 100% for the in between time.
Anyone have suggestions on #hours to run the bulbs? Some say 5, some 8, some 10/day. I was thinking I'd probably start with 5 since my corals will likely get A LOT more PAR at the switch over, then gradually increase to say 8 hours plus a 1 hour dim on either end. Thoughts?
2dawghouse
New member
It was a DIY setup I used. 6xT5's and 2 rows of LEDs
DivingTheWorld
Active member
swk
New member
I change every 7-8 months. Could go longer, but it's only 120 bucks or so and I don't mind.
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