What do you think of this T5/Led fixture

[tkimmons85]

I currently have a T5 setup on my 125 sps reef and it seems to be working well. But I just have to have that shimmer that only halides and leds can give your tank. I have been throwing around the halides idea but seem to be leaning towards diy leds again and again. I have experience making a DIY led fixture, I made one for my nano last year so that wont be a problem. My question is about what you think about this set up.

I have a 72 inch long 125 gallon tank that is about 20 inches deep. The plan is 4 48 inch 54 watt t5 bulbs outside of three pendants with 24 leds each(12 cool white 12 royal blue per pendant). I chose three pendants so I can work around the two center braces on top. I also am going to use lenses on my leds.

So thats a total of 72 leds and 4 t5 bulbs, will this be a good set up ?

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

with the right optics and placement you wont need the t5's, you will have more then enough light...

if all you want is shimmer and youre happy with the t5's then a single strip of LED's will do the job for you, 24 LED's approximately 3' apart will give you some very nice shimmer with very little spot lighting, the Cree XPG without optics would probably be enough...

 

[Delyub]

why not sell your T5s and just go all LED?
Should be close to even and you save in the long run.

 

[tkimmons85]

Good point thanks I guess im just worried cause I have heard that sps doesn't color up like they could with only leds.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

i have seen some very colourful LED tanks...