LED to T5's

[kodiak23]

Yes, it seems backwards, but I am looking to switch from LED's to T5's.

My tank is 48x18x18 and is mostly SPS with some zoas and acans. I am getting good growth (or I think it is good growth) but the colors are not where I would like them. All my water parameters are in check.

I will probably keep some LED's, but mostly use T5's. Thoughts?

I currently have 3 - 48" Reef Bright XHO strips, 2 blue and 1 white. 36 leds, which is 54 watts for each strip.

I am thinking about getting an ATI 48" 6 bulb 6x54.

A few questions.

1. My temperature currently does not fluctuate even a tenth of a degree without a chiller. Will I need a chiller with T5's? My house stays between 65-80 degrees.
2. Are 6 bulbs enough, or should I look at 8 bulbs? Again 48x18x18
3. Any suggestions on acclimation from LED to T5? Or just the normal slowly lower them down and slowly add hours per day.
4. Anyone want to talk me out of this?

thanks

 

[GiantBen]

I think 6 bulbs is plenty. I also think that you could probably go with a 36" fixture.

One nice thing about the 8-bulb fixture, however, is that you can play with more bulb combinations. Putting in a pure actinic bulb reduces par, but with 8 bulbs it won't really matter.

I'm running a 6-bulb SunPower over a 48x24x12h tank. I'm still playing with bulb combinations.


As for heat, if the fixture is suspended over an open top, I don't think heat will be an issue. I don't run a chiller.

 

[northbay-reefer]

I think you got a great starting point in your reefbrites, keep all the LEDs and add maybe two or three more T5s and your tank will be rocking.

Blue reef brite
White reef brite
ATI blue plus
ATI day light
ATI blue plus
Blue reefbrite

 

[AMAYEU]

I personally believe the LEDS vs t5 and mh is a battle over economical efficiency and cost. More so, on the cost and not so on sustainability and environmental purposes.

If you do not mind the hobby cost of bulb replacements and energy bills, then go for the t5 or mh. I see better visual colorations.

If I had solar panels, collected rain water, had those sun tube lights, composted in my vIctory garden, had a prius, brought my own bags when shopping, and drastically turned my meter backwards.... I would be running the highest watt mh for my tank...

But I run LEDs so my shared electricity bill does not get noticed and get a call about increased rent.

 

[lokii_37]

My t5s do add heat to my tank. They are only about 6" over the water but when the lights are off the heaters are almost always on but if the lights are on the heaters do not run as much

 

[kodiak23]

Thanks all for the input. One more question, since my LED's are 3x54, if I run T5's that are 6x54, doesn't that mean my energy usage will double if run for the same amount for time? I assume so, but just want to double check.

Math = 6*54 watts = 324 Watts / 1000 = .324 KWH * (.12 per KWH) = $0.03888 per hour * (10 hours per day) * (30 days a month) = $11.66

So my bill will go from $5.83 per month to $11.66 per month.

Do people choose LED to save 5 bucks a month? I could be way off here, so please feel free to correct me.

And yes, I know it would add up if everyone switched to LED's. I'll just take a couple cold showers each month to save energy cost

BTW - I am still not 100% sold on switching to T5's, but getting real close. Maybe I should try a couple Radion LED fixtures to get better spectum. Decisions, decisions.

 

[dread240]

the electrical savings is one thing, no bulb changes is another, and more customization in LED systems is probably the third as for why people are on LED's right now

And while your math numbers are right, if you're not running 100% output on your LED system the wattage drops down. My fixture is capable of 228 watts but I only run it at 123 watts total

 

[justin_cutri]

I'm actually considering doing the opposite at the moment. I have a 36" ATI 6 bulb and thinking of switching to 2 kessil pendants. The 6 bulb puts out a lot of light but I'm thinking it doesn't have quite the penetration I need since my tank is 21" deep. If you decide to make the switch let me know I may be able to work something out with ya.

 

[woodnaquanut]

Two other advantages to LED...
The flicker look like the sun has. Do you get this from the Reef Brights? You would get this from MH or the Radion. Both are more 'point source'. You won't get this from the T5.

Second is less need for a chiller. Folks that switch from MH to LED gain in electrical costs for chiller and light. The other savings is bulb costs.

Of course the Radion's aren't exactly cheap! :eek2:

 

[GiantBen]

Justin, how wide is your tank? Will two kessils cover it?