Lighting opinions

A

Aquatic Reef Creations

Member
Hi Gang,

I recently started up my 75 cube. The set up came with 3 165 watt LED lights. The previous owner ran 2 on the tank and 1 for the sump.

I have a different light over the sump and have all 3 lights on the tank. I am thinking that this is too much over the tank and don't like not having flexibility of the coloration. I am thinking about going with the 2 over the tank and adding T5s to supplement/compliment the LEDs. The tank is 30 wide x 24 high x 24 deep. I have found 2 dual 24"T5s. I was thinking 1 T5 in front, then the 2 LEDs(ran length wise across the tank) and then the other T5 behind the LEDs.

Any thoughts? Too much light? What combination of T5s if I do this? The LEDs are white/blue independent and dimmable.

Right now I have zooanthids, mushrooms, LPS, SPS, and a small green BTA. I think that the BTA may need to go, but the wife had to have it for the clowns. It is definitely a mixed reef.

Thanks for any input.
 
That is going to be a ton of light! I like it but may be overkill unless you plan on a lot of SPS, in which case it would be perfect. I would do the 4 t5, it will give you more options on refining color and you don't have to get high PAR bulbs. For example you could run a couple of super actinics for pop, a blue+ for PAR, and either a super purple or coral+ depending on the look your after. For sps you'd sub one or both of the actinics for higher par bulbs.
 
Should be perfect. ....easy to make and hang....
81590559165db57f2ea6893239407d51.jpg
 
Last edited:
rovster said:
That is going to be a ton of light! I like it but may be overkill unless you plan on a lot of SPS, in which case it would be perfect. I would do the 4 t5, it will give you more options on refining color and you don't have to get high PAR bulbs. For example you could run a couple of super actinics for pop, a blue+ for PAR, and either a super purple or coral+ depending on the look your after. For sps you'd sub one or both of the actinics for higher par bulbs.
Click to expand...

Disagree. Rarely too much light. Ide make the T-5 the primary with LED's as supplement. Most LED's are dimmable and controllable. Let the T-5s grow your coral and the LED bring out the colors.
 
AquamanE said:
Disagree. Rarely too much light. Ide make the T-5 the primary with LED's as supplement. Most LED's are dimmable and controllable. Let the T-5s grow your coral and the LED bring out the colors.
Click to expand...

That's because you like to disagree. You can have too much light. Most of my LPS are borderline bleached and my Zoas are tiny unless they are in the shade.

I do agree that the t5 should be used to its fullest, that said bulb selection would be highly dependent on what type of corals you want to keep.
 
I agree with AquamanE, hit the tank with T5's and use the blue channels on the LED for supplement. Can even change out the white/red/green or whatever diodes on the LED fixture with blues/violets and use both channels for the windex wow factor
 
I have not done it on a fixture, people say it is easy to desolder the beads and replace them. The diodes are stupid cheap, can search ebay for * 3w led bead * Mix up some different ones say between 400-430NM for violet, and between 450-485NM for blue/royal blue. Maybe even a few cyan.
or check out the Nano Box V3 Array and mimic the spectrum on the white channel. You won't be able to find the LED used in the nano box on beads, however you can probably get pretty close

•2 -Violet

•2 - Lime

•1 - Cyan

•1 - Blue

•4 - Royal Blue

•3 - Neutral White & Warm White
 
Let me know when you have time and I can check your par. As you can see everyone has their own idea of what works.

Your two LED units and t5 add ons would be plenty of light. You'd probably be fine with just the LEDs only.
 
I know that I should be fine with the LEDs, but.... I just haven't figured out where to have the percentages set yet. I hate having the blues just come on and blast the tank to start. The LEDs I have do not have the option to ramp up or down, so it is just on or off unless I am there to manually start low and increase to the set point.
That is why I was thinking the T5s to start the cycle and then have the LEDs more of a daylight approach. Maybe I am just overthinking everything. This used to be so easy when I was running T5/MH. I had the T5 actinic come on and then the MH and reverse at the end of the day.
 
Is it possible to change some of the diodes on a led shop light that Sam's Club has? I have one over my tank and it is about 5000k and looks too yellow to me. It would be nice if some blue diodes could be added.
 
Aquatic Reef Creations said:
I know that I should be fine with the LEDs, but.... I just haven't figured out where to have the percentages set yet. I hate having the blues just come on and blast the tank to start. The LEDs I have do not have the option to ramp up or down, so it is just on or off unless I am there to manually start low and increase to the set point.

That is why I was thinking the T5s to start the cycle and then have the LEDs more of a daylight approach. Maybe I am just overthinking everything. This used to be so easy when I was running T5/MH. I had the T5 actinic come on and then the MH and reverse at the end of the day.
Click to expand...


Gotcha, then I would probably agree with running t5s as your "main" lights and use LEDs for dawn, dusk, etc.

If you feel really adventurous, you can rewire your LEDs to work with a controller to ramp % up and down through the day.

38733f002a583c0f0a97ac76c84c17c5.jpg
 
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