Thinking of adding T5's to BML lights

[booyaa138]

I have 2 60 inch BuildMyLed MC 20k fixtures. These lights awesome but I can't get another since they don't make them anymore. I'm thinking about supplementing T5's. Everything in my tank opens up nicely but I feeling that the growth could be better. I'm thinking of adding 2x80w T5's
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/t5-ho-miro-4-retrofit-kit-let-lighting.html

What do you guys think? Also what bulbs should I run?

 

[alton]

What size tank?

 

[booyaa138]

sorry i forgot that. 60Lx18Wx24H. mostly LPS and softies right now. Want to get into alittle SPS soon.

 

[reret10]

Tagging along.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[alton]

My office tank 65g 36x18x24 with one one 20k BML XB set at 80% with SPS frag

A year later and I swapped the Hybrid Euphyllia around with the Frogspawn


Since then I have added a second BML actinic set at 50%. If you are wanting to add
lamps one would definitely be true 03 actinic, not sure about the second choice? Not sure if you want more blue or full spectrum

 

[booyaa138]

Thanks for the pictures. I like the more natural look and not so much blue. anybody else know a good combo of T5 bulbs to use?

 

[hann1bal]

ATI Blue+ are the best bulbs but if you want a nice clean whiter bulb I recommend the ATI Coral+. The two together is a slam dunk IMO.

 

[hann1bal]

Two great vids about T5 spectums:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-TbkPJhHkY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OSS_PoUX6o

 

[booyaa138]

thanks for the links. gave me a good idea of what they look like. I really just want everything to grow and be healthy. If that means a more blue color then I am fine with that.

 

[booyaa138]

anybody else have BML lights with T5's supplement?

 

[booyaa138]

also another question. Do I need to run 60inch T5's or can I get away with 48inch bulbs?

 

[alton]

also another question. Do I need to run 60inch T5's or can I get away with 48inch bulbs?

Most run 60" on there 72" tank, so I don't think 48" would be out of line on a 60".

 

[booyaa138]

thanks alton for the help. Sorry for so many questions, I don't know anything about T5's

 

[booyaa138]

how about a lighting schedule? maybe only like 2 or 4 hours for the T5's?

 

[booyaa138]

another question is placement. LED's in the middle with T5's on the outside or the other way around?

 

[hann1bal]

another question is placement. LED's in the middle with T5's on the outside or the other way around?

Most fixtures I have seen have had LED's in middle and T5 on outside. I don't know much about timing since I only have T5's.

 

[booyaa138]

thanks hann1bal

Anybody know how long I should run them?
Anybody have tank pics with this combo?

 

[booyaa138]

bump backup for some more looks and some more opinions

 

[alton]

I would run lamps and leds 8 to 10 hours. Remember at the end of the day we are trying to mimic the sun.

 

[booyaa138]

alton, right now my lighting schedule is like the sun. slowly ramp up until about 1pm. then for about 2 hours I keep the lights at 100%. after that I slowly ramp down until the lights are off. I run around a 12 hour light schedule. from 9am to 9pm.
My thinking was to include the T5's around the mid part of the day. At first maybe 1 hour and then slowly bump it up to maybe 4 hours total time.