Adding T5s to LED setup (Aquatic Life Hybrid 60")...Light Acclimation?

[Charles4400]

Decided to get the 60" Aqua Life Hybrid fixtrue allowing the addition of x4 - 80w t5 to my setup.

Currently I have x4 Hydra HD 26 over Red Sea Max S 650.

Adding 4 T5s will be ALOT of light. Ordered x2 Blue +, x1 True Actinic , x 1 Coral + (all ATIs)

How did you acclimate your lighting when adding all the additional T5s?

By:

-Having ALL lights on but raising the entire light fixture?
-All T5s on and just lowering led intensity?
-All T5s on and slowly increasing time on for a weeks?
-Half T5s on for a few weeks then turn on the other half on?

Combination of the above?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Decided to get the 60" Aqua Life Hybrid fixtrue allowing the addition of x4 - 80w t5 to my setup.

Currently I have x4 Hydra HD 26 over Red Sea Max S 650.

Adding 4 T5s will be ALOT of light. Ordered x2 Blue +, x1 True Actinic , x 1 Coral + (all ATIs)

How did you acclimate your lighting when adding all the additional T5s?

By:

-Having ALL lights on but raising the entire light fixture?
-All T5s on and just lowering led intensity?
-All T5s on and slowly increasing time on for a weeks?
-Half T5s on for a few weeks then turn on the other half on?

Combination of the above?

What I did when I added my Aquatic Life Hybrid was I turned on all the t5's but turned the led way down. and slowly ramped the led back up over a couple weeks.

 

[SDboatguy]

I would probably do a mix ... Turn on the T5 for a couple hours at the start and add a half an hour a week until you get in sync with your hydras. At the same time I'd probably drop the hydras down 30% in the acclimation mode for a couple months. You could also stagger the T5s - turn on 2 lamps wait an hour and turn the second set on that way your not blasting the tank all at once. Also what are you planning on running the T5s for down the line? Same photo period as the hydras or just as a peak period "boost" ? How are you running Hydras now ? It all comes into play trying to blend in the new light source with as little shock to the tank as possible.

 

[pelphrey]

I left my 160's alone and gradually added run time to the t5's. I have both the front and rear t5 fixture running together ( http://amzn.to/2G34lj8 ) with this splitter.

 

[SDboatguy]

It's kinda like replacing the lamps. Usually I replace one lamp at a time , then wait a 2-3 weeks and add the next one until they are all changed out. Keep an eye on you Alk and Ca levels as well ,your tank will probably have a spike in usage with the new lights as well.

 

[Charles4400]

Thanks for all the suggestions, unit comes in on wed.

I suppose I should see how they look first, then decide on which method to use for acclimation. The suggestions are appreciated, thanks!

 

[reefingshepherd]

I left my 160's alone and gradually added run time to the t5's. I have both the front and rear t5 fixture running together ( http://amzn.to/2G34lj8 ) with this splitter.

Did u have ur 160s on a aquatic life t5 hybrid?

 

[Jekyl]

T5 are much easier on coral than LED are due to being diffused lighting. Lowering and ramping the LED over time will be your best bet.