Question about led lighting vs t5

[Jose Moreno]

I was running hydra 26 on a 40g sps tank and could not get decent coloration for the life of me. Thought it was a nutrient issue but everything checked out.

Made the switch to t5 only a few months ago and everything is coloring up immensely.

The only variable here is the light source.

Any experiences similar to this?

Id really like to switch to leds cause of the programming capabilities but I cant seem to find luck with the hydras at least. Havent tried any others.

Heres my schedule.

 

[Havoks]

How strong are the t5s? Maybe you need more intensity from the hydra 26

 

[Jose Moreno]

How strong are the t5s? Maybe you need more intensity from the hydra 26

Running 6x24watt bulbs over a 40g cube for 144 watts.

2 blue+
2coral+
2 actinic

Seems like I was running pretty intense on the hydras. I know naked eye is useless but it was pretty dang bright in there.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I was running hydra 26 on a 40g sps tank and could not get decent coloration for the life of me. Thought it was a nutrient issue but everything checked out.

Made the switch to t5 only a few months ago and everything is coloring up immensely.

The only variable here is the light source.

Any experiences similar to this?

Id really like to switch to leds cause of the programming capabilities but I cant seem to find luck with the hydras at least. Havent tried any others.

Heres my schedule.

All of those sliders that are down to nothing are what the t5 is providing now.

 

[Jose Moreno]

All of those sliders that are down to nothing are what the t5 is providing now.

So I should crank those more if I switch back to led??

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So I should crank those more if I switch back to led??

It's a choice. I do.
Some only run the warm side depending on the light.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting.268204/#post-3210887

 

[Jose Moreno]

It's a choice. I do.
Some only run the warm side depending on the light.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting.268204/#post-3210887

Hmmm thats a great post to read up on.

No one can question the results at battlecorals thats for sure.

Now you got me thinking of going back to my hydra and trying again.

Just reluctant to make another change to the lighting. Everything is settling nicely with the t5s now.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Oh yea stay w the t5. There sweet.
I don't miss the led ramp. But there's fixes for that.

 

[Jose Moreno]

Oh yea stay w the t5. There sweet.
I don't miss the led ramp. But there's fixes for that.

Yeah but the programmability is so nice.

And buying the dang bulbs each year.

 

[Havoks]

This is how i run my fixtures

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yeah but the programmability is so nice.

And buying the dang bulbs each year.

Oh I know.
I'm thinking four hours peak t5 if I do a retro fit.
Mmmmmmmm.
T 5 should last two years.

 

[Havoks]

I run to prime hds in a 20 gal

 

[Havoks]

Two

 

[Jose Moreno]

Im seeing a pattern with all the big names of reefkeeping who use leds. They run all channels at 100 with no ramp.

Must be something to that. I was always hesitant to ramp up to quickly or put the channels to intense on the hydra.

Maybe I should grow a pair and.just crank em.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

IMO set a peak time and color and intensity
Then cuz we can.
Set a long low ramp up. You can go from pre dawn color to sunrise pink and then morning blue and then peak light. Then do sunset and an hour or so of blue pop.

I call it my summer in Fiji look.

Sounds like greasy kid stuff. But it's called daily light integral. I got it from an old master. Dana Riddle. DLI
Easy Google.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I run to prime hds in a 20 gal

Blasting!

 

[Havoks]

I do blues for 3 hrs and then a 4 hr ramp up, 6 hrs peak, 3 hr ramp down and 3 hr blue. 5 hrs off.

 

[Jose Moreno]

Blasting!

HAHA I read what you wrote about "blasting" on the other thread.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

HAHA I read what you wrote about "blasting" on the other thread.

Lol.

I'm a blaster too!

 

[Jose Moreno]

Oh I know.
I'm thinking four hours peak t5 if I do a retro fit.
Mmmmmmmm.
T 5 should last two years.

T5's with a nuclear reactor ballast. Im onto something.

Ive said too much.