T5 to LED question

[Silfer]

I've been using an 8x24w T5 unit on my 2ft cube, but recently decided to switch to LEDs. I purchased the new key aquariums k4 24 wide if anyone is familiar with it?

My main question is though my t5s are getting posted on Tuesday to the buyer and the LEDs will take up to 2 weeks to arrive. I have a spare 4x24w t5 unit I can use til then but it has cheap bulbs, 2 whites, 2 blues.

Will my sps be okay in the meanwhile?

Also is anyone familiar with the k4 led unit? Any advice on setting it up, what sort of intensity to start with etc?

Thanks

 

[stevedola]

Good luck with the switch.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[SULLY736]

I wouldn't chance it. Murphy's law is going to check in and something is going to go wrong. I would at least put new bulbs in your other fixture. Might cost a little more up front. But it will still be cheaper than replacing all of your SPS if you have a crash

 

[Silfer]

Well the led unit was sent Saturday from Hong Kong and is surprisingly already in the uk! Here's hoping it arrives for Tuesday.

If I so get to do a straight swap from my 8x24w t5 to the LEDs will I be able to run them full intensity?

 

[dowtish]

I would not run them at full intensity. You will fry your corals.

Acclimate slowly. start with 30% for 3 days and slowly move up by 10% increments. Good luck.

 

[Silfer]

If they're used to 8x 24w t5 how would the LEDs fry them? Just curious, cheers.

 

[reefmutt]

theres a chance that the leds will fry the corals.
to be safe, start them at a low intensity and ramp them up over several weeks.
i think the 4 bulb fixture will suffice (it'll be like a couple weeks of cloudy weather) but by using it for a few weeks your corals will begin to acclimate to lower intensity light.. this is why you should start your new leds at a lower intensity.
im not familiar with the led fixture you are buying..
good luck!

 

[sahin]

They will get fried. Do you have access to a PAR meter? I would start off at 30% and increase slowly.

 

[Silfer]

no par meter, but will start low! cheers