Aquatic life 48" T5 hybrid schedule

Paleozoic_reefer · Sep 1, 2019

So my LFS had a marineland tank bust it's bottom seal and they unfortunately lost everything. They decided they wanted to go in another direction for that spot in the store so they sold me the 8 month old Aquatic Life 48" (with four new ATI Blue plus' and a Coral plus) they had for it for $200!

I originally had my RSR 350 (primarily LPS) with two Kessil a160's ramping up to 80% intensity (peak was for 8 hrs) with heavy blues all day (never past 20% in color). I had this set up for over a year with great growth. So the set up I have now is; all T5's go from 7am-3pm then the kessils comes on from 2:30-9pm with intensity peaking now at 50%. I know I need to get a par reading done (trying to find someone to do it) but was wondering what you all thought on my my schedule, lighting, and bulb choices?

Angrywalnut · Sep 2, 2019

When I was using that fixture over my reefer 450 with 2 coral + and 2 B+. The bulbs are proven, pick a combo with a color you like.
I had a 80 par boost at the bottom frt of the tank and about 120-140 par 12 inches under the water with the light mounted 10-11 inches above the tank.
I'm not familiar with the Kessil so I can speak for them. I initially turned down my Hydra's about 20 percent.
The coral didn't like that. I found that running my Hydra's where they were at and the T5 was better for color and growth.
Your going to have to observe for changes in your coral until you get a par reading.

Here's a video that may help a bit.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...-led-hybrid-light-fixture-brstv-investigates/

Good luck.

Paleozoic_reefer · Sep 2, 2019

@Angrywalnut yhanks for the advice and link! I've been observing the coral (which seems to open really nicely when the T5 are on) and talking to some local reefers and they said to lessen my T5 time from the 12 hr to just 5 or 6. What was your schedule like?

Angrywalnut · Sep 3, 2019

I run a total of 12 hours 8 to 8. 2hr very low moon light.
T5 on at 9 off at 3.
LED on full 12. Peak 7hrs. 2hr ramp up, 3 down.

tqpolo · Sep 4, 2019

How many inch is your mount apart? I found some studs 18" apart and I'm worried it might be too close.

Kyl · Sep 4, 2019

My tank is 48 x 18 x 16, I run 3 A160's and four Blue+ now. LED are on from 10am - 10pm, T5's from 12pm - 8pm. With the A160's maxing at 40 watts, the T5's become the primary drivers of light for the tank. Go with all blue+ (as you are), and use your Kessils to tailor the white channel for aesthetics.

Here's the ramping my A160's do:

09:55 0%
10:00 20%
12:00 55%
13:00 85%
19:00 85%
20:00 55%
22:00 20%
22:05 0%

I haven't done par in the tank yet to prevent cross contamination, but at the water line it's the following with the Kessils at 100% intensity. Colour changes the par a bit:

Kessil A160 - 100% blue, 8" directly below center light 340
Kessil A160 - 100% white, 8" directly below center light 320
Kessil A160 - 80% blue, 8" directly below center light 350

Plus T5, 8" below middle A160:
100% Blue 420
100% White 410
80% Blue 440

Kyl · Sep 4, 2019

As well, I highly suggest you limit the T5 initially and increase it progressively over weeks if not months.

Paleozoic_reefer · Sep 4, 2019

@tqpolo the studs were way off the center line of the tank so I used these toggle bolts (6 total) to place it where I wanted it. Should be plenty of support!

Paleozoic_reefer · Sep 4, 2019

@Kyl thanks for the great info and your schedule. I do agree I need to ramp up slowly. The first couple of days the corals looked like they were in a bit of a shock on the light period. So I decreased the length of the T5's and I'm slowly ramping the kessils back to normal when they're mixed with the T5's...