Switch T5 -> LED gone wrong (not a led bashing thread so keep walking)

[JimBeam]

I recently bought a High-end Led light to make the switch from 6x39 T5.
The LED lights where 2x100watt, I started at 75% and ramped up over the course of five weeks to 87%.

I just sold them and placed my T5 back. Only now I see the armageddon that once where my sps.
I'll try and post some before and after pics in a minute.

What went wrong? Too much light after all?
Max I runned them was at 87%. and that with only 2x100...glad I didn't buy the 2x150watt version :mad2:

I don't mention the name of the maker in this thread, everyone who researches these lights know by now what brand I'm talking about.
I feel its not fair to name the brand because I'm pretty sure it would have happened with any other brand.

Just a warning to anyone thinking about switching, don't let your eyes fool you into thinking LEDs do not give enough light!

 

[JimBeam]

before

 

[JimBeam]

After (they look far worse in person i fear )

 

[ClownNut]

did you compare par before starting with 75%?

 

[JimBeam]

I have no idea how much par my T5 gives...so noI did not compare them.

 

[XxreeffreakxX]

Unfortunately I'm seeing this same story far to often. I've always been a fence rider on the LED vs T5 debate but after reading this thread I'm sticking with T5 for good I love my ati fixture

 

[ontop27]

I'd say most likely to much light did it, not the other way around. I had a 6x39 watt t5s over mine and switched it to a 120 watt fixture. After two days of the leds at fifty percent I bleached Alot. No way in two days of "not enough light" would they bleach. So I was at like 25% of what they were use too

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[reefervinny]

Coral Acclimation is very difficult with Led's especially coming from T-5's. It is a slow process that you have to be patient with. I just made the switch and I have been ramping up from 30% to 75% over a period of 40 days. So far I am up to 60% and my corals are loving it and there has been no signs of bleaching. I am a believer in LED's now and I will not go back to T-5s'. I'll be sticking with my AI Vega Blues with no doubt.

 

[sminker]

It sucks buying something expecting it to be awesome, then it just disappoints. I hope the corals make it.

 

[JimBeam]

Absolutely, I was really sure I would love them, but I have not give up on them yet!

As I said in my initial post, I'm sure its my mistake understimating their power.
If anyone is going to switch they should start a lot lower then you can possibly imagine.
The led lights gave less of half the visible light at 86% compared to the T5 at full power...

 

[reeferlover]

As of now Imo supplement t5 with leds only

 

[sminker]

I was really considering LEDs. The possibility of very little heat, very lower power consumption and with the right full spectrum you could have some good coloration. I would love to go that route but I'm just very leery. I ended up just going back to T5s. It time to retire my halides for a while.

 

[IdahoGuy]

I just love the color t5's give. Just got my first t5 tank, waiting awhile to get SPS, but I can't wait.

 

[nysbadmk8]

Thats a bleach out, Not a brown Out. Too much light was your issue here. Should have started with a much lower intensity and ramped up. If the LEDS where not producing enough light, we would be talking about how brown your corals are.