Adding T5 Hybrid to existing Hydra 26

TexAgReefer · Apr 15, 2020

I currently have a 50g Cube and am running a single Hydra 26 HD (Saxby's profile/schedule). I am transitioning from an LPS tank to an SPS dominant tank and would like to add the Aquatic Life 24" T5 Hybrid to boost lighting and reduce any shadowing.

My question is what would be the safest way to incorporate?
1) Run the Hydra as normal and run T5s for full 6-8 hr duration from day 1
2) Run the Hydra as normal, run the T5s for 2 hours/day week 1 and increase by 1-2 hours each week until I get to the 6-8 hr T5 duration
3) Run the Hydra in acclimation mode with T5 introduction as above
4) Run the Hydra in acclimation mode with T5s on full duration from day 1

Option 2 or 3 would seem like the best options as I do still have LPS in the tank with option 3 being the most conservative.

Big C · Apr 15, 2020

As a point of reference I have the 61" version with two XR30s and one XR15 about 12" off the surface of a 24" high tank. Without the T5 on I get about 130ish par (Apex) on the sand bed. When I flip them on get about 225 on the sand bed. Run a blue and coral plus bulb (2 each).

TexAgReefer · Apr 15, 2020

Big C said:
As a point of reference I have the 61" version with two XR30s and one XR15 about 12" off the surface of a 24" high tank. Without the T5 on I get about 130ish par (Apex) on the sand bed. When I flip them on get about 225 on the sand bed. Run a blue and coral plus bulb (2 each).

Thanks! That's about the lighting boost that I'm looking for. My plan is to go with 2 Blue plus and 2 Coral plus bulbs.