Adding T5 lighting with my Kessils?

[IanMauger]

I have a 72g bow front mix reef. This is lighted by 2x Kessil a360we. I am wondering what your opinions are if I were to add a couple T5 actinic florescents would this be beneficial to my corals? I love the Kessil's, but just curious as to how I can promote health a growth.

 

[nervousmonkey]

Yes, 100% yes that will help. I highly recommend adding T5's to any LED only system. If you can swing it, make the T5's your primary light source by adding 4, you can do it with retrofit kits. You will be surprised by the corals reaction. :D

 

[httorihanzo]

T5 + LED = awesome. I run mostly T5 with LED supplement but others run T5 as the supplement. ATI bulbs all the way. Good luck

 

[IanMauger]

Awesome! I guess that settles it! Since I had invested 800$ in these lights replacing them with a hybrid will probably get me divorced (LOL). That being out of the question, what would be something that I can work with these lights in particular?

 

[Terry4505]

Love it. I use T5s with my Kessils on my 180:

 

[IanMauger]

Love it. I use T5s with my Kessils on my 180:

That looks amazing! Beautiful setup!

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

One word of caution...take your time adding in the T5s to your lighting schedule. If your corals have been used to the Kessils only for quite some time, they will bleach on you.

 

[Christopher Davis]

Yes, 100% yes that will help. I highly recommend adding T5's to any LED only system. If you can swing it, make the T5's your primary light source by adding 4, you can do it with retrofit kits. You will be surprised by the corals reaction. :D

My thoughts exactly!!!

 

[Christopher Davis]

Love it. I use T5s with my Kessils on my 180:

Sweet mother of god Wow beautiful tank!

 

[httorihanzo]

Awesome! I guess that settles it! Since I had invested 800$ in these lights replacing them with a hybrid will probably get me divorced (LOL). That being out of the question, what would be something that I can work with these lights in particular?

Well your Kessils are on the blue side yes? Sorry, I dont know much about them. If they are really blue I'd use Coral + Bulbs, if they are more white use Blue +. Thats just my opinion. You could start with a simple cheap 36" or 48" retrofit kit from BRS for around $130 + Bulbs. Making it look nice is another project. Maybe build a nice canopy like Terry showed above.

 

[IanMauger]

Well your Kessils are on the blue side yes? Sorry, I dont know much about them. If they are really blue I'd use Coral + Bulbs, if they are more white use Blue +. Thats just my opinion. You could start with a simple cheap 36" or 48" retrofit kit from BRS for around $130 + Bulbs. Making it look nice is another project. Maybe build a nice canopy like Terry showed above.

Thanks! I will look into that, I do have a canopy so that wouldn't be an issue.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I used the Miro T5 retrofit kit. Very inexpensive and simple to install.

 

[Berlibee]

Do it !

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-mount-a-kessil-to-the-ati-sunpower.276169/

 

[mark beavers]

I added two sunblaster t5 units to my aqua illumination LEDs and won't go back. They help diffuse the light and provide great coverage. The sunblasters are great with the ballast built in and they are linkable. Also they have a more "finished look".

 

[jeffrey holloway]

I run 6 T-5s with my kessils. 3 Aqua blues, 2 true actinics, and 1 aqua blue special.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I run 6 T-5s with my kessils. 3 Aqua blues, 2 true actinics, and 1 aqua blue special.

How did you acclimate your corals to the elevated light levels? Did you have the Kessils first?

 

[jeffrey holloway]

I started system off with the set-up. Never had the Kessils up over 40%. I keep my PAR levels at about 200 at bottom of the tank and about 275-300 at the top level. Mixed reef. I also use diffusers on my Kessil AP 700 when I add new coral to the tank. Hope this helps.

 

[Parker420]

Love it. I use T5s with my Kessils on my 180:

OMG.......that's awesome! Kessil 360, right? I have them, and while I love the shimmer, the par sucks. I need to do this over my 180. Would you mind to message me a contact number, would love to run a couple of questions by you.