Want to ADD T5s. ...Options???

[maroonman]

I've been down the MH road, And now for the past 4 yrs the LED road,
I like the leds , But my Growth on ( some ) corals is just ,,,so so.And I'd like to see if this will help. I'd like to add 4- T5 bulbs .. 2 - 72" bulbs on the front side & 2 - 72" bulbs.
What are my DIY options? not wanting to spend alot since this is basicly a trial & error thing for me. WHat bulbs do you run for best growth .

 

[toddmau5]

Run 4 bulbs with LEDs. 3 d120s and 4 36" t5s. T5s come on from 10am - 2pm and I have definitely noticed an increase in growth and color. I'm running 2 coral plus and 2 blue plus, love this combo. But I've heard blue plus and actinic will be your best bet par was for growth

 

[maroonman]

Thanks for the bulb tips.
Anyone know where to buy the ballast , end caps and reflectors?

 

[CuzzA]

I'm thinking about doing the same thing. I got 2 photon 48's for the 8 footer but right now on the 90 some thing's grow great while others just survive. I think the LEDs just don't blend enough spectrum and that's why some areas do well and others don't.

 

[bigzman]

+1 on d120 and t5. I am going install 6 t5 and keep my d120. I get good growth on my d120 but shooting for coloration

 

[LiquidCache]

I'm running leds and t5s on my 265 and I really like it

 

[hobbzz]

I run led with actinic t5's. Actinic spectrum is very important for photosynthesis, and I don't think leds put out enough in that range. UVL superactinic would be best imo. And maybe a good full spectrum bulb if you're going with two different types.

You can try premium aquatics, and aquarium specialty, or the classifieds. A new 4x80w Retro kit would likely be 250-300, much cheaper used.

 

[CuzzA]

The problem isn't the led bulbs themselves, it's that you need a lot of them to get a good blended coverage. That is why I suspect that some areas of the tank grow great and others are slower.

Let me see if I can find the DIY led thread a guy did to create his LEDs to match that of metal halides.

 

[toddmau5]

I agree the pure actinic is targeted towards max photosynthesis. I just couldn't deal with that color range. Not to mention every time I go look for bulbs that color is gone or I would try it for a little bit. But so far the coral plus and blue plus are doing awesome

 

[toddmau5]

These are interesting for color choice

ATI T5 Fluorescent Light Bulb Comparison Part I: https://youtu.be/Y-TbkPJhHkY

ATI T5 Fluorescent Light Bulb Comparison Part II: Combinations!: https://youtu.be/6OSS_PoUX6o

 

[janes_mw]

On my 120 I run Photon48 with a T5 in front and back of the P48. I use Coral Plus and one Aquablue Special.

On my 300, same exact set up but just x2.

I ended up using Sunblaster nanotech T5 strips (linkable and excellent reflector).

mike

 

[maroonman]

Mike,
Where did you buy your sunblaster stuff from?

 

[janes_mw]

Mike,
Where did you buy your sunblaster stuff from?

Amazon.

 

[CuzzA]

Don't get me wrong I'm a huge fan of LEDs. I do and will continue to use them, but I'm shying away from the LED only idea.

Here is 760 watts of LEDs just to replicate a metal halide/T5 combo.

www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=23043023&postcount=38

 

[IrishTang]

I just recently got a photon 48 myself and will be switching from 6 bulb T5 to 1 or 2 bulbs on each side of the photon.

 

[hobbzz]

The problem isn't the led bulbs themselves, it's that you need a lot of them to get a good blended coverage. That is why I suspect that some areas of the tank grow great and others are slower.

Let me see if I can find the DIY led thread a guy did to create his LEDs to match that of metal halides.

Semi-Led violets only put out 500 lumens at their max current of 700mA, whereas cree XM-L2 cool whites put out around 1460 lumens at their max current of 3 A, so they are definitely weaker. But you are right about blending and coverage, you need a lot of any color to get good coverage.

 

[firemountain]

Amazon.

I just bought the Sunblaster T5 nanotech from Amazon as well. I needed it to supplement my QT that houses a clam.

Mike...have you experimented with adding a different color bulb at a different wattage to that fixture. I am curious because I just linked together a second Sunblaster and figured I would add an actinic bulb. This fixture will then be moved upstairs to my DT as a supplement to my 2 Kessil 360we LED.

 

[janes_mw]

I just bought the Sunblaster T5 nanotech from Amazon as well. I needed it to supplement my QT that houses a clam.

Mike...have you experimented with adding a different color bulb at a different wattage to that fixture. I am curious because I just linked together a second Sunblaster and figured I would add an actinic bulb. This fixture will then be moved upstairs to my DT as a supplement to my 2 Kessil 360we LED.

I have played with several ATI bulbs (Aquablue Special, Coral Plus, Blue Plus, and Actinic). I have settled on one Aquablue Special and one Coral Plus.

 

[Reefpilot11]

Would it be possible to add 2 t5's to my 2 16"reefbreeders even though I don't have a hood, they just hang from the ceiling.

 

[CuzzA]

Add some sheet aluminum strips as cross bars that attach to the top of the RB's and overhang the sides so you can hang the T5 fixtures.