thinking about going back to t5's

[MrineLfRlz]

Well ive switched from t5/mh a few years back to leds now and at first i loved them but now all i fight is algae and the color just isnt there and now that i have been doing more sps dominate tanks t5's are looking better and better the only thing that sucks is they are more expensive to run and you have to replace the bulbs regularly but im sick of the algae problems (mostly cyano) im to the point i may just switch back.
Here is what im thinking about the DT is a normal size 75g but it is sps dominant this should be more then enough for my 75g right?
http://www.aquacave.com/48-6x54w-di...5-high-output-light-fixture-w-controller.html

 

[KingTriton1]

Yup.

 

[Clayman]

I run a 6 x 39watt over my 36" x 20" x 20" and does the SPS very well and even have to watch where I place certain corals.

 

[catman78]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2537435

 

[Docdiggy]

This is my tank with an ati 4x54 and 24 3w blue leds. 75gal.

 

[Docdiggy]

I was thinking of getting a 6 bulb, but I'd fear for my lps since this 4 bulb has proved it's capable of great growth. All the sps started as very small frags. I do have a bit of cyano on the sand, but I'm sure it's not light related since I've been running this setup for over a year now.

 

[joshky]

I just went back to T5s on my new tank and I'm really happy with them, you just can't beat the coverage T5s offer. One day LED units will give T5s a run for their money, but right now it's too expensive to get the same coverage. I do want to add some LEDs to my T5 unit eventually.

 

[chimmike]

cyano is probably from the water, not the lights. algae can't grow without the nutrients in the water. Can you adjust the LED spectrum at all to get the pop you want?

I had T5's and liked them but replacing the bulbs got expensive, and I didn't like the fact that the quality degraded over time. I used an ATI fixture.

I will definitely go LED's in the future.

When I figured on a 6 bulb fixture replacing the bulbs was going to cost $100+, doing that two years in a row plus the cost of the ATI fixture and I could've had VERY nice LED's.

 

[Arkayne Reefer]

I really want to go led for the low energy usage and not having to replace bulbs but I see alot of people switching back from led to t5s and mh

 

[MrineLfRlz]

UPDATE:
I went back:thumbsup:

 

[Mark426]

I went back to T5 this Friday. I had Mitras LEDs and while I was able to get great color from my SPS, the growth has been very slow over the last year. I know lights are just one piece of the puzzle, hopefully this switch will will help.

Interesting to me is the light color is visually nearly the same as my LED setup but MUCH brighter. Loaned out my PAR meter, should have it back in a day or so and will see where I stand.

 

[Bent]

The only thing I don't like about t5 is the shimmer that led and halide gives.

 

[MrineLfRlz]

The only thing I don't like about t5 is the shimmer that led and halide gives.

I miss the shimmer also but how much better my corals are reacting to the T5s is worth the trade off. I might just add a couple of kessils later for shimmer but for now this fixture is great!

 

[Bent]

I miss the shimmer also but how much better my corals are reacting to the T5s is worth the trade off. I might just add a couple of kessils later for shimmer but for now this fixture is great!

No argument with that.

 

[d2mini]

Looking good!

What's that setup in the center with the 1/4" water lines and quick disconnects?

 

[Bent]

Looking good!

What's that setup in the center with the 1/4" water lines and quick disconnects?

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[Reel North]

I went back to T5 from halides. I got an 8x80w ATI. It was a little rough, but with new reflectors is a sweet sweet light. My frag tank has an 8x54w and the coverage is epic.

I replaced all the bulbs on the 8x54 for $230.00 cdn. My radiums were $130ea.

The cost of the bulbs, over a year, is almost irrelevant to what we spend on stuff

 

[wildman926]

Looking good!

What's that setup in the center with the 1/4" water lines and quick disconnects?

I was wondering the same thing.

Looks like the Durso overflows with the air line teed.

I run a pair of T5 bulbs and LED's. This gives me the best of both worlds, I get excellent color and growth, and still have shimmer.

 

[MrineLfRlz]

Looking good!

What's that setup in the center with the 1/4" water lines and quick disconnects?

I was wondering the same thing.

lol Thats a DIY u-tube since its a hang on back overflow i kept losing syphon in the past and it keeps the full syphon because of the aqualifter pump running.
It sucks the water up into the U-tubes and into the filter and through the aqualifter and recirculates it back into the overflow "endless cycle" anyways thats just what i came up with.

 

[d2mini]

lol Thats a DIY u-tube since its a hang on back overflow i kept losing syphon in the past and it keeps the full syphon because of the aqualifter pump running.
It sucks the water up into the U-tubes and into the filter and through the aqualifter and recirculates it back into the overflow "endless cycle" anyways thats just what i came up with.

Gotcha.
Have you looked into LifeReef overflows?
They don't lose siphon and always restart without a hitch.
No aqua lifter pump needed.