T5's to supplement Radions?

[JurisHP]

Need some lighting advice: I've got a 180g tank (72x24x24) with a canopy that has 3 Radion xr30 pros hanging from the canopy. I want to supplement my Radions with a T5 fixture or fixtures. Any suggestions? I'm concerned about T5 fixture placement (my tank has a plastic strip one on the left and the other on the right from front to back where I can rest things on like scrapers, etc.).

 

[rds85]

I just purchased a Aruba Sun V Series T5 HO Fluorescent RetroFit - Hamilton for supplementing my 260 that has 4 Radion G3 xr30 Pros on it. I would also look into Razor T5 retro as well as LET ( which you can place the bulbs anywhere you would like). I would mount this to the top of my canopy. Hope this helps. I will post photos of what I did with mine next week on my build thread.

 

[drtrash]

What about light spill with t5? I like the minimal spillage with led

 

[davehead86]

I want to hop into this thread because I have a similar question. I want to suppliment with a t5 because the shadowing with the Radions on my center brace and powerheads on the back wall is distracting.

Would a 2 Bulb T5 fixture be able to help this? Can I just get a cheaper VHO Ballast and then 2 quality lights to help solve this problem?

 

[scar79]

I run 2 G2 radions and four tubes (two front, two back) of T5 over my 4'x2' tank. Really quite happy with the setup

 

[davehead86]

I run 2 G2 radions and four tubes (two front, two back) of T5 over my 4'x2' tank. Really quite happy with the setup

How does it look with the center brace? How do you have the bulbs setup (colors)? How is the SPS growth? What are the Radions % turned to?

 

[scar79]

Center brace might as well not be there. I think I'm running one aquablue special, two aquablue plus, and a purple plus and I run the radions at a 20k profile up to 60% (they are regular G2's not pro). I may switch to more blue/purple bulbs and run an 18k profile to take advantage of the underutilized white LEDs

Sourcing a PAR meter so I can start to dial them in. From the par sheets I've seen I may need to get up to near 100% with my 27" deep tank and them 9" off the surface. All colors are great, but they're definitely asking for more intensity

 

[davehead86]

Center brace might as well not be there. I think I'm running one aquablue special, two aquablue plus, and a purple plus and I run the radions at a 20k profile up to 60% (they are regular G2's not pro). I may switch to more blue/purple bulbs and run an 18k profile to take advantage of the underutilized white LEDs

Sourcing a PAR meter so I can start to dial them in. From the par sheets I've seen I may need to get up to near 100% with my 27" deep tank and them 9" off the surface. All colors are great, but they're definitely asking for more intensity

This is all excellent information for me and the OP.

Thanks for more details. I like the idea of having a 2 bulb setup in the front and then 2 bulbs in the back. I feel like I would use the bulbs to supplement the UV Light that's needed in the tank like you have said, and not necessarily the whites.

 

[rds85]

What about light spill with t5? I like the minimal spillage with led

A good reflector and an a canopy will prevent the light from shooting out into your living room. I personally want the total diffused light from the T5 to remove the shadowing that is why I mainly adding it.

 

[drtrash]

Been following your build, looks good. Get spoiled having such a controlled light spread with led. Won't build a full canopy but a skirt has helped

 

[rds85]

Been following your build, looks good. Get spoiled having such a controlled light spread with led. Won't build a full canopy but a skirt has helped

Thank you. i just noticed your an AZ guys as well! Have you seen those super thin DIY "canopies" they actually just hang with the lights?

For the OP I have never heard a true negative to adding T5 supplement to Radions has hurt anyone unless it was user error. ( No acclimation ect.)

 

[drtrash]

I usually build my own out of 1x4 , just enough to cover case and direct light down before it get s lost in room. Going to add 2-T5 to AI blue sol but also considered jumping to the gen 4 radions. Would like to hear if the t5 on gen 4 is not needed just other gen

 

[rds85]

I wouldn't be surprised if it is just another Gen with fancier lenses. I am excited to try the T5 supplement but my not really do anything different we will see... What works for some doesn't always work for other sometimes.

 

[luvreefs23]

 

[davehead86]

I usually build my own out of 1x4 , just enough to cover case and direct light down before it get s lost in room. Going to add 2-T5 to AI blue sol but also considered jumping to the gen 4 radions. Would like to hear if the t5 on gen 4 is not needed just other gen

The difference on the new Radion is that they are hemispherical lenses that drop the led light down under the light providing more of a light spread. Not sure if it will solve the problem that we all are having with them.

Honestly buying $100 worth of T5 ballasts and tubes to supplement my Radions is a much cheaper option than upgrading.

 

[azcrazy]

That my set up ,I dont run LEDs but i think is the same principal, tank is also 72x24x24

 

[scar79]

I posted earlier in this thread but just wanted to drop in a pic

 

[drtrash]

What did the t5 add to look?

 

[scar79]

The T5 added a lot of brightness to the tank. I never liked how dim a well lit tank looked compared to a well lit T5/MH tank. Less shadowing in the tank as well, but more spill into the room, which I don't mind.

 

[Capt_Dan]

Thats what Im looking to do. Glad your having good results.