Changing from t5's to LEDs. Any advice?

PKibsyo · Sep 30, 2015

Well I currently have a 55 gallon reef. My lighting right now is a 4 bulb coral life t5 with Geissman t5 bulbs. I would like to change to LEDs which I've had for a while, just reluctant to change. I have a 48 inch marine orbit led. I hear a lot of mixed reviews about this light. Some state the late is not strong enough while others say it is almost too strong.

I'm currently housing a few clowns, yellow tang, and a fox face. As for corals I have two large hammers, goniopora, a few softies and zoas and a Duncan. Also I have three anemones. A haddons carpet, a condy and a bubble tip.

Any tips for this transition would be greatly appreciated.

ali.farzinrad · Sep 30, 2015

PKibsyo said:
Well I currently have a 55 gallon reef. My lighting right now is a 4 bulb coral life t5 with Geissman t5 bulbs. I would like to change to LEDs which I've had for a while, just reluctant to change. I have a 48 inch marine orbit led. I hear a lot of mixed reviews about this light. Some state the late is not strong enough while others say it is almost too strong.

I'm currently housing a few clowns, yellow tang, and a fox face. As for corals I have two large hammers, goniopora, a few softies and zoas and a Duncan. Also I have three anemones. A haddons carpet, a condy and a bubble tip.

Any tips for this transition would be greatly appreciated.

As far as I have read and searched, the best light is a mixture of LEDs and bulbs, or LEDs plus metal, best tanks have bulbs, specially SPS tanks.
I recommend using both.

PKibsyo · Sep 30, 2015

See that's what I was thinking. My LFS guy tried telling me otherwise. However his frag tank is super shallow so it get more par. I suppose I should find a way to hang this light then. Because both will not fit.

ali.farzinrad · Sep 30, 2015

U can do it
Cause I'm doing it ;-)
Read these
https://reefledlights.com/ledmytank/<br />

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/have-you-had-long-term-success-with-leds-and-sps.91717/

jcdeng · Sep 30, 2015

led has much stronger spot effects compared to T5s, so initially mount them higher than you would like and slowly lower it to the desired height above tank and then start increasing intensity. Best to make adjustments once a month.

ifarmer · Oct 2, 2015

PKibsyo said:
See that's what I was thinking. My LFS guy tried telling me otherwise. However his frag tank is super shallow so it get more par. I suppose I should find a way to hang this light then. Because both will not fit.

because LFS wants people to use latest technology. they are trying to sell the new light and not the old bulbs type of light.
all nice tanks on the net are lit by bulbs.