Halide, T5 or T5 + Led??? SPS

[RaikOu]

Hello all,

I have a question about what lighting use on my reef with focus on SPS, today I have a DIY with: 6 T5 54w (ULV) and 2 multi chip led 100w on my reef with size is : 48"x 24" and 19" (L x W x H) but I'm not happy with this setup... my hammer, zoa and anemones are great, but my SPS dont color up with this light (my parametre are good).

I have this 3 options for now:

1 - ATI sunpower 8x54w
2 - DIY 2x250w Halide with icecap reactor
3 - add 2 AI vegas in place of multi leds (this vegas are from a friend who used for 6 month until change for Hydra 52

the tank have two island of rocks like 19"x17" each...

Already thanks for the reply.


ps. sry for my english

 

[kevin_e]

It' not answer as all things aren't even.

Halides are hot, bubls are expensive and bcoming harder to acquire (for now).

T-5 doesn't have the shimmer of halide or LED and bulbs are expensive ($200 to replace your ATI fixture every 6-12 months).

LEDs are hit and miss with SPS growers with many complaints from long term users. Great for energy saving, heat reduction and bulb expenses. They have a lot of controllability.

In terms of growth and color, halide, followed by T-5, followed by LED.

I would personally use the ATI fixture.

 

[d2mini]

6 t5 over that size tank should grow and color up anything.
What bulbs are you using?
How long has the tank been running?
What are you parameters?

 

[polleke]

If your t5 have proper individual reflectors then those alone are enough. Before switching anything I would try switching off your LEDs.

 

[RaikOu]

thanks for all the reply.

@kevin_e
Indeed I agree with ATI I will not have problem, in fact my old nano I was use an ATI 6x24....

@d2mini
this is my bulbs:
2- UVL/URI super actinics
2- ATI blue + (its difficult to get in my country, got it only 2)
1- UVL/URI 75/25
1- UVL/URI aquasun
2- 100w Chinese led

the tank is running since February 15, and Im using a calcium reactor, my parameters:

CA: 420
Alk: 8
MG: 1200 (need to rise)
Phosphates: 0.01
Nitrate: 0

@polleke
In the moment I do not used a individual reflectors, I was planning to get, but then I think to change all the lights... But yeah I know I have lost a lot of PAR... do you think that its okay if I just put the individual reflectors? maybe change one of super actinics?

 

[DavidinGA]

I'm going to say your sps don't look good because they are starved. Your tank is too clean.

Let your PO4 and NO3 increase some...

 

[d2mini]

I agree with David.
I had similar issues.
Add more fish and feed the tank more.
See if you can get at least some nitrate to register... like .5 or 1 ppm.
See if you can get your p04 up to around .03.

Your lighting looks great to me.