Quanta Helix Meso blues to replace T'5's?

[IPT]

I currently have 4 T5's and I am entertaining the idea of swapping them to LEDs. I run ATI blue plus for all the bulbs and it seems that the spectrum is fairly close and may even bump the violet and UV some (which apparently is good for coral growth).

Does anyone know if the PAR output of one 47inch Helix bar would be equal too (or greater than) the output from (2) T-5's running ATI blue plus bulbs? What about the spread? Currently the T'5's are retro fits with the retrofit reflectors.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

This seems to have gotten lost so i'll bump it.

 

[oreo54]

I currently have 4 T5's and I am entertaining the idea of swapping them to LEDs. I run ATI blue plus for all the bulbs and it seems that the spectrum is fairly close and may even bump the violet and UV some (which apparently is good for coral growth).

Does anyone know if the PAR output of one 47inch Helix bar would be equal too (or greater than) the output from (2) T-5's running ATI blue plus bulbs? What about the spread? Currently the T'5's are retro fits with the retrofit reflectors.

"4' " Helix 80w.
Your tubes are 54w.

Historically due to efficiency of delivery ( focus) and efficiency of turning watts to photons it was measured to be a 1:2 watt ratio.

Unfortunately one really would need to measure both in a set environment to prove that.

That said a 3 helix array for like $700 (240 w)
to replace 216w of t5's would be a prudent upgrade.
More than likely one would dim ( or should during conversion) that output thus extending the bars life (assumed).
Also 3 have better overall coverage.
https://www.quanta-lights.com/products/3-pack-helix-combo
Not to mention one can tweak the " look" if more than 1 " color" is chosen via manual dimmer(s) included.
With the wattage increase you do have headroom to do that.

Or of course one can automate it.

Will 2 work?
Probably...
AI's take for 1 Helix bar:

PAR Output Example: The Helix Tropic Sun, at 100% intensity, produced approximately 240 PAR just below the water line, 140–150 PAR in the middle, and 70–90 PAR at the sandbed

Based on this..


2 of course will " sort of" double that.

Your money your choice and hopefully some more practical experience people will chime in.

$459.49 for 2
Oddly not seeing an advantage to buying the combo pack and "I" might prefer the ability to adjust 3 lights position independently.

Last thing .they will always look different no matter how close the spectrums look.
Be it a bit more dynamic ( more shadows) or the difference in " spiky- ness).

 

[Baldguy]

The Quanta site suggests 4 bars for a 4x2ft mixed tank. I don't have quantas yet but I've always had 4 bars and been happy with the results.

 

[jbrady429]

I have five 4' Quanta Helix bars over my tank--three ReefCrest Daylights and two Meso Blues--and I'm getting 300 PAR on the sandbed (20" high tank, 4' wide, 2' deep, with the lights 8" above the water). I love the blending and spread these produce. In my opinion, they are the closest thing to T5s in blending and spread. I don't know how they look in the tank compared to ATI Blue Plus bulbs, but I would recommend these light bars to anyone considering lights.

 

[IPT]

Thanks for all the input! Very useful.

I should add that this in not my main light source. The T'5 are my perimeter lighting as currently I have a Radion X15 pro, 2 Kessil 360x's and 12" blade in the center between the T5's. All of these lights (except the T5s) are going to shortly be replaced with 3 Meridian 11's which I have on hand. Of course I could also look at the Reefbreeder bars (though they are considerably more expensive) . I'm think down the road since I have one more set of T5 tubes new in the box to swap in and after that I will most likely go LED.

 

[minus9]

I honestly would keep the Kessils (if you like the shimmer/contrast) and go with all Quanta Helix bars over the meridians. The spectrum you're going to get from the Quanta's alone will be better than the meridians all day long. Reach out to Luca @Lousybreed and he'll help you put together a great spectrum combo. The amount of money you'll save with going all Helix over meridians will buy plenty of new corals. Luca is also coming out with a panel style fixture as well. The Kessil/Quanta combo looks awesome!

 

[IPT]

I honestly would keep the Kessils (if you like the shimmer/contrast) and go with all Quanta Helix bars over the meridians. The spectrum you're going to get from the Quanta's alone will be better than the meridians all day long. Reach out to Luca @Lousybreed and he'll help you put together a great spectrum combo. The amount of money you'll save with going all Helix over meridians will buy plenty of new corals. Luca is also coming out with a panel style fixture as well. The Kessil/Quanta combo looks awesome!

That's an idea but I got a great deal on the Meridians during black Friday so have them in hand already. If I don't love them I'm sure I can recoup what I paid easily selling them.

The main issue with the Kessils is I have a canopy so the lights are only about 7 inches off the water. That's less than ideal for light spread with them.

 

[minus9]

That's an idea but I got a great deal on the Meridians during black Friday so have them in hand already. If I don't love them I'm sure I can recoup what I paid easily selling them.

The main issue with the Kessils is I have a canopy so the lights are only about 7 inches off the water. That's less than ideal for light spread with them.

Got it. 7” isn’t bad, but 8-9” is more ideal with Kessil’s. Hopefully it’s a well ventilated canopy?

 

[IPT]

Hopefully it’s a well ventilated canopy?

Well, about that.... :). Actually it's not that bad, as I have an 10 inches wide full tank width opening (wide slot if you will) across the top . That said, my temp still rises about 1.5 sometimes 2 degrees daily. When I put in the meridians I plan on raising the aluminum rigging that holds the lights as much as I can and adding fans to each side of the canopy below the level of the lights. 2 blowing air in on one side, 2 pulling air out on the other. I think that should take care of the rising temp issue.

An another note, back to your other comment, what do you think is better about Helix Spectrum VS the Meridians? One of the big points of discussion in favor of the Meridians has been the spectrum. Maybe wider, with more representation in the Blue and UV range (360-440nm?) as I understand it.

 

[jbrady429]

Here's Luca's measurement of the Quanta Helix Meso Blue spectrum. It's very wide, rather than a narrow 450nm peak or a set of two or three narrow peaks. Some argue that a wide spectrum is more beneficial to the corals as compared to very narrow spectral peaks. A lot of blue lights have a max spectral peak at 450nm, which is where the "windex" look comes from. The Quanta Helix has that covered, but emphasizes the 430nm range. It's just my personal preference, but I like the look of the Helix Meso Blue compared to other lights (I used Kessils before moving to Quantas, and used T5's prior to that). Hope this all helps!

 

[minus9]

Here's Luca's measurement of the Quanta Helix Meso Blue spectrum. It's very wide, rather than a narrow 450nm peak or a set of two or three narrow peaks. Some argue that a wide spectrum is more beneficial to the corals as compared to very narrow spectral peaks. A lot of blue lights have a max spectral peak at 450nm, which is where the "windex" look comes from. The Quanta Helix has that covered, but emphasizes the 430nm range. It's just my personal preference, but I like the look of the Helix Meso Blue compared to other lights (I used Kessils before moving to Quantas, and used T5's prior to that). Hope this all helps!

This is the big difference, besides the overall price comparison. And, when you mix one of the other spectrums (reef crest or tropic sun) the spectrum fills out even more. 99% of the other fixtures in the hobby have a very narrow peak around 450nm, because everyone thinks “pop” is better, but I’ll take a much broader spectrum every day of the week. I also hate fixtures that give you 5+ channels to mess with in order to find something you like. The only two fixtures that have multiple channels that I would ever consider are Reefi’s and GHL (but I can’t stand their software). Meridians are good lights and will most certainly grow coral, but the price is just too much for a limited spectrum (IMO).

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I currently have 4 T5's and I am entertaining the idea of swapping them to LEDs. I run ATI blue plus for all the bulbs and it seems that the spectrum is fairly close and may even bump the violet and UV some (which apparently is good for coral growth).

Does anyone know if the PAR output of one 47inch Helix bar would be equal too (or greater than) the output from (2) T-5's running ATI blue plus bulbs? What about the spread? Currently the T'5's are retro fits with the retrofit reflectors.

I am a big t5 fan. I am also a daylight full spectrum fan. I think his stuff is some of the best built. I went with 2 48” reefcrest. The color is great. The spread and par just fall short when comparing 2 strips to 4 T5 bulbs. I think I would be much happier if I had 4 of the reef crests. But, now you’re talking $1k vs a power bill. I know I need to start thinking about a life without T5s one day. But, today isn’t that day. I love my Reefcrests. But, that’s my side action. I go home nightly to my T5s currently. FYI KZ coral new gen x4.