Adding T5 to Radions. How to run intensities?

[n4s]

I have a 72x24x24 with 3 3rd gen Radions. I never used T5 before and I am looking to add 2-4 to run maybe 4-5 hours with the Radions. My schedule is 12 hours right now with 2 hr ramp up to 50% and then 2 hour ramp down.

When the T5's turn on should I lower the intenity of the Radions or just acclimate the corals (sps) over a period of time to the added t5 by adding say 30min a week until the desired time amount?
Or should I just lower just the blues or just the whites?

I'm thinking going with ATI blue plus/coral plus combo

 

[mfinn]

I would keep the Radions at the same intensity and start out slow with the T5's, like you planned.

 

[mcarroll]

If you have never used a [HASHTAG]#lux[/HASHTAG] [HASHTAG]#meter[/HASHTAG] (or similar) then that's how I'd suggest doing it.

Download a $free lux meter app for your smartphone's camera so you can take some measurements NOW. :) But while the app is downloading, order a $15 (delivered) handheld lux meter for later. It's better AND safer to be waving around over a reef tank! :) :) :)

You really don't want more than around 80,000 lux over the tank for the sake of coral health.

Around 40,000-50,000 lux is normal for a "brightly lit" tank - and many commercial fixtures top out around that range too.

However, many corals do just as well down to 20,000 lux and even lower to around 5,000-10,000 lux depeding on the coral and scenario. (It's not uncommon.)

I run two tanks on my system - one tank gets around 50,000 lux, but the second only gets around 14,000 lux.

Approximately the same corals that look just about the same between the two tanks.

I do imagine the 14,000 lux tank grows slower, but not obviously so. Plus, that's a benefit to me....keeps me from having to get in there and frag so often. I don't like doing it and something always ends up broken. ;)

For reference, these are all roughly equal and you can convert between them as needed while making lighting adjustments:

• Direct Sunlight At Sea Level
• 100,000 lux
• 2,000 PAR
• 1,000 watts per square meter (about 93 watts per square foot)

 

[Keepswiming]

Turn on the acclimation timer on your radion. Set it for about a week. Your only at 50% so you shouldn't have a problem. I run two radions 75% and two T5s on a 4' tank. Enjoy the combo!

 

[blacktippr]

I have a 72x24x24 with 3 3rd gen Radions. I never used T5 before and I am looking to add 2-4 to run maybe 4-5 hours with the Radions. My schedule is 12 hours right now with 2 hr ramp up to 50% and then 2 hour ramp down.

When the T5's turn on should I lower the intenity of the Radions or just acclimate the corals (sps) over a period of time to the added t5 by adding say 30min a week until the desired time amount?
Or should I just lower just the blues or just the whites?

I'm thinking going with ATI blue plus/coral plus combo

Why not just download The T-5 programa to your radions , go to EcoTech website and look for coral lab, there is a schedule that mimics t-5, im really happy with it, I believe the name is SPSAB. Or something similar.

 

[n4s]

Thanks for the responses and input everyone.

I actually have the SPS AB schedule that I like myself as well. I just want the T5 to help with the shadowing and to add a little color. I've read good things with the combo.

 

[n4s]

Turn on the acclimation timer on your radion. Set it for about a week. Your only at 50% so you shouldn't have a problem. I run two radions 75% and two T5s on a 4' tank. Enjoy the combo!

Just curious what T5 bulbs are you running?

 

[cginter]

what t5's did you end up going with and what length/wattage?

 

[jsker]

I would suggest going over to a thread that @john.m.cole3 and I created . you can ask a couple of members over there. The link to that thread is the second one in my signature. Use a @ to ask someone directly

 

[n4s]

I ended up going with two 80w Coral Plus bulbs. I will probably be adding 2 more soon.

 

[Keepswiming]

Just curious what T5 bulbs are you running?

t
I was running 2 48" bulbs (blue plus, and coral plus). I have since change to a 36" dimable ATI fixture and two reefbrites and couldn't be more impressed!

 

[john.m.cole3]

6 bulb ATI dimmable here. 10.5 inches off water line, 2x coral +, 2x blue +, actinic, and purple + at around 60% capacity gives me 46k LUX. Dang I love T5 and will never go back! Hybrid solution seems more popular and prob better though. I need to save up another $350 for my reefbrite XHO strip though! good luck!