Initial LED settings when adding T5 hybrid - what is a good starting point?

[Edp251]

Hey All,

I know that there are lots of variables but am looking for general advice. For anyone that has added a T5 hybrid setup to pre-existing LEDs on a tank, how much dod you initially dial back the LEDs to compensate for the PAR of the T5 bulbs? On the AquticLife hybrid that i have, i have heard things like the initial additional PAR is around 150. Based on this, until i can get a friend's PAR meter, I am guessing I should start with my LEDs dialed back to approximately 50% of the current power.

Thoughts on this? Am i missing anything?

Thanks, Eric

 

[Dave1987]

Just added 2 t5 to my maxspect rsx.

Dialed them back 15%. If you add 4 dial them back 30%.

 

[Waters]

Hey All,

I know that there are lots of variables but am looking for general advice. For anyone that has added a T5 hybrid setup to pre-existing LEDs on a tank, how much dod you initially dial back the LEDs to compensate for the PAR of the T5 bulbs? On the AquticLife hybrid that i have, i have heard things like the initial additional PAR is around 150. Based on this, until i can get a friend's PAR meter, I am guessing I should start with my LEDs dialed back to approximately 50% of the current power.

Thoughts on this? Am i missing anything?

Thanks, Eric

I actually just added 4 bulbs to my two Radios xr30 pros. I dialed them back from 47% to 30% which still allowed me to raise the PAR quite a bit (tested with a PAR meter before and after the new T5s were added)

 

[Edp251]

I actually just added 4 bulbs to my two Radios xr30 pros. I dialed them back from 47% to 30% which still allowed me to raise the PAR quite a bit (tested with a PAR meter before and after the new T5s were added)

Thanks! That is helpful! Did you test par again after adding the T5s?

 

[Waters]

Thanks! That is helpful! Did you test par again after adding the T5s?

Yes.....Par raised roughly 100 after adding the bulbs and dialing down the Radions to 30%. Of course that number jumped around depending if I was under the LED pucks or on the outside but that was the average change. My PAR was pretty low to begin with due to low nutrients.

 

[Edp251]

Yes.....Par raised roughly 100 after adding the bulbs and dialing down the Radions to 30%. Of course that number jumped around depending if I was under the LED pucks or on the outside but that was the average change. My PAR was pretty low to begin with due to low nutrients.

Awesome. Very helpful. thanks!

 

[dwest]

Hey All,

I know that there are lots of variables but am looking for general advice. For anyone that has added a T5 hybrid setup to pre-existing LEDs on a tank, how much dod you initially dial back the LEDs to compensate for the PAR of the T5 bulbs? On the AquticLife hybrid that i have, i have heard things like the initial additional PAR is around 150. Based on this, until i can get a friend's PAR meter, I am guessing I should start with my LEDs dialed back to approximately 50% of the current power.

Thoughts on this? Am i missing anything?

Thanks, Eric

Since I already ran leds, I simply increased the photoperiod of the t5’s slowly. I started at 30 minutes a day and increased every couple of weeks.