LED Equivalent to T5

[timqmana]

I'm planning an SPS/acro dominated tank and I like the look and growth that T5 gives (blanket of light with no shimmer and dense colonies).

What LED lights would get me closest to an all T5 bulb setup?

I like the look and the colony density in Dmitry Tumanov's tank in this video and it looks like he's using just AI Blades:


I like what Luca is doing with the Quanta Helix, but I can't find any photos or videos of tanks that are running just the Helix bars so not sure of the spectrum/spread/shimmer/growth you can get with those.

 

[bobnicaragua]

For a acro tank, why not use T5 or T5 LED hybrid?

People always list a lot of reasons not to use T5, but they never say acropora don’t color up and thrive under them.

 

[tREEFarm]

I like both of my AI Blade Grows if you're set on going LED (only in use ~6 months now).

Could just go T5/LED hybrid and call it a day - I don't think there's a 'wrong' answer - write down the pros/cons for each setup if you're stuck and compare/contrast the lists.

 

[AmateurAlchemist]

ATI Stratons may be what you’re looking for. There’s an 80+ page thread on R2R with lots of FTSs throughout.

 

[timqmana]

For a acro tank, why not use T5 or T5 LED hybrid?

People always list a lot of reasons not to use T5, but they never say acropora don’t color up and thrive under them.

That's always an option, just wondering what else is out there.

 

[timqmana]

ATI Stratons may be what you’re looking for. There’s an 80+ page thread on R2R with lots of FTSs throughout.

Thanks I'll check it out.

 

[Northern Flicker]

I haven't really seen anything that compares well, but the Blades and Photons are the closest imo.

 

[X-37B]

Orphek or4 bars are nice. Each one is equal to 2 T5's.
Also look at Reef Breeders. I run them on 2 systems. The Meridians are new and would work well.
This is my ext 170. I run 2 RB 50's and 3 or4 uv/v bars. Tank is 9 months old and has 50+ acros.
First pic is how I run my system with whites at 30%. Second pic is whites at 100% to show how bright you can make the system.
I run 300-350 par across the scape and can get 500+ if needed.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

The problem I see with the entire t5/LED hybrid thing, is that its kind of hard to replicate what ATI has done with their reflectors as well as their cooling system. I don't understand why companies like aquatic life are not following the proven results of ATI sunpowers if they are still on board with creating a t5 unit. Is it that difficult to add better reflectors and cool the bulbs? Who wants to replace bulbs sooner than you have to because they are not being actively cooled?

 

[bobnicaragua]

The problem I see with the entire t5/LED hybrid thing, is that its kind of hard to replicate what ATI has done with their reflectors as well as their cooling system. I don't understand why companies like aquatic life are not following the proven results of ATI sunpowers if they are still on board with creating a t5 unit. Is it that difficult to add better reflectors and cool the bulbs? Who wants to replace bulbs sooner than you have to because they are not being actively cooled?

I have had great results with retrofit T5 and LED. The aquatic life fixtures are fantastic for SPS tanks. There’s no reason you can’t get 18-24 months out of a bulb. I run computer fans in my canopy, but it’s not necessary.

 

[eggie]

I have an ATI fixture with 2 AI Blade Grows and Im very happy with the Blades they give a little more pop color then the Blue Plus it self.

 

[xiaoxiy]

ATI Straton/Straton Pros or Philips CoralCare are probably your best bet.

 

[ingchr1]

...I like what Luca is doing with the Quanta Helix, but I can't find any photos or videos of tanks that are running just the Helix bars so not sure of the spectrum/spread/shimmer/growth you can get with those.

Have you reached out to him? When I was choosing my bars, he was very responsive in answering my questions.

 

[Hooz]

Either AI Blades or a Quanta Helix combo will work. There are some important differences in the types of strips, though, so you'll need to setup accordingly.

Blades are nice because you can literally lay them on top of the tank, or mount them very low anyway. The drawback is that the blue spectrum isn't as wide or smooth as some other options. They absolutely will grow coral, though. I'd recommend starting with AI's recommendation of 2 Grows to 1 Glow. You can dim and ramp them via the app.

Quantas have reflectors, so they need to be mounted a bit higher over the tank (8-12" would work) for nice, even coverage. The blue spectrum is MUCH more "complete", though. You could do a 3 bar kit... either 2 Meso Blues and one Tropic Sun, or the other way around... depending on how much blue you like. You can dim and ramp them via an add-on 0-10v controller.

 

[Northern Flicker]

The problem I see with the entire t5/LED hybrid thing, is that its kind of hard to replicate what ATI has done with their reflectors as well as their cooling system. I don't understand why companies like aquatic life are not following the proven results of ATI sunpowers if they are still on board with creating a t5 unit. Is it that difficult to add better reflectors and cool the bulbs? Who wants to replace bulbs sooner than you have to because they are not being actively cooled?

I don't find my AL hybrid T5 bulbs produce a whole lot of heat. Maybe it's because my tank is in a cold basement with a lot of air movement.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I don't find my AL hybrid T5 bulbs produce a whole lot of heat. Maybe it's because my tank is in a cold basement with a lot of air movement.

i will take this into account since my tank is too

 

[Reef Wizard]

Hey does anyone here have a 60in equivalent for T5 or or other light thats not the AI blades

The aquatic life fixture doesnt have a 60 in as far as I know

And I wanted to weigh my options

 

[Hooz]

Hey does anyone here have a 60in equivalent for T5 or or other light thats not the AI blades

The aquatic life fixture doesnt have a 60 in as far as I know

And I wanted to weigh my options

Quanta is currently waiting on a restock, but they have a 59" bar as a normal option.