Adding LEDs for a newbie?

[DracoKat]

OK, I've decided I want to add LED to my current T5 light fixture. I've seen this done, but I have ZERO idea how to do it or what exactly I need. Can someone help me please?

This is the fixture I have:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=23758
4-bulb 48" fixture

I want to take one or two bulbs out and replace it with an LED bar to promote SPS and clam growth.

Can you guys tell me what items I need to achieve this? links to them would be great.
Also, what LED bar/strip would work best?

thank you!!

 

[luke33]

You have many options. There are led bars on ebay that are pretty inexpensive or you could go with reefbrights, sbreef, aquaeuro e5's....etc

ex: https://sbreeflights.com/11-sbar-supplimental-lights

I would most likely go with two sbreef bars or get an ebay fixture that is 36-48". If your wanting clams and sps i would probably pass on the e5's as that fixture doesn't pack a huge punch so replacing a t5 or two wouldn't be the best option for sps.

 

[DracoKat]

thanks, Will look into the SBreeflights, I hear good things about those.

I feel like I should keep the T5's, because I also hear LED causes shadows. The T5's would help with that.

Whats the difference between the 50/50 and actinics lights? Any benefits over the other?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

@cromag08 You built one of these I believe

 

[luke33]

thanks, Will look into the SBreeflights, I hear good things about those.

I feel like I should keep the T5's, because I also hear LED causes shadows. The T5's would help with that.

Whats the difference between the 50/50 and actinics lights? Any benefits over the other?

50/50 is a mix of white and blue vs actinic which is all blue. Your more than likely want to have a setting you run just the blue led to get that pop. I think if you ran your t5's along with two sbreef bars, one 50/50 and one actinic or two actinic you would be good to go. So t5 you could run coral +, ab, purple, b+ and then have the two led bars. Something like that, there are so many different t5 bulb's you could use. Just make sure to use nice blub's like ati or giessemann.

 

[DracoKat]

Thanks!

I currently have all ATI bulbs.. 2 Blue+, Coral+ and Purple +

 

[DracoKat]

Mars Aqua, that's the Ebay lights you were referring to? if so, I'll get those.. half the price, lol. Reviews looks good on them.

may just ditch the T5's if I get them

 

[luke33]

No, I wasn't referring to the MARS although they seem just fine for sps and clams. I would keep your t5's and run a couple strip led's that have nice lens's on them, get some good blue pop from the led's and keep your t5's.

Something like this for ebay but i'd get sbreef's over these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Waterproof-...887492?hash=item463db38b44:g:EW0AAOSwWnFV-9yh
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-216W-LED...226501?hash=item2a63fe2545:g:xfQAAOSwcL5XNZSv

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

i built mine from a tek fixture, not sure it would be the same process with this one.

@cromag08 You built one of these I believe