Retro Fit T5's should I do it?

Bmartinez76 · Nov 8, 2016

Hi I have a Deep Blue 150 Gal tank which is 48 long, 30 tall, and 24 wide. Currently using 2 Radions Xr15 GEN3 with the wide angle filter. I've been contemplating adding T5's to have full coverage on my tank and better growth for SPS. The canopy only has about 49 7/8 " of length and about 16 1/2" width for me to work with. I was considering getting this kit from BRS, but I'm kinda new to the hobby and was hopping for suggestions from you guys.

With the kit below I would keep the radions centered and add the t5's in front and back of the radions since I'm limited in space.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/dimmable-t5-ho-miro-4-retrofit-kit-let-lighting.html

They also have a version that is dimmable. Does it make sense to run the t5's dimmed or would it be okay to leave them at full capacity? I have an Apex and if it makes sense I would get the dimmable version to control it via the Apex.

I would also welcome any other kits you feel would work best in my situation.

Thanks for your advice in advance!

Diesel · Nov 8, 2016

Go for it, but IMO don't get the dimmable T5 retro kit as you use your Radions to ramp up and down.
Get as many T5 bulbs in there as you can.
If you can do 3 in the front and 3 in the back, with the right color combo on the bulbs you have almost a hybrid light setup :)

Bmartinez76 · Nov 8, 2016

Thanks for your response. assuming I can only add 2, is it worth it? I kept looking any maybe using these I could fit 2 kits to have 4 bulbs in total as the base would take less space than a standard base and with the V design allow the bulbs to not interfere with the Radions. Assuming I could do this what bulb color combo would make the most sense? This would be the first time running T5's so I appreciate your feedback.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hamil...ho-fluorescent-retrofit.html#tab-full-details

pirate2876 · Nov 8, 2016

Bmartinez76 said:
Thanks for your response. assuming I can only add 2, is it worth it? I kept looking any maybe using these I could fit 2 kits to have 4 bulbs in total as the base would take less space than a standard base and with the V design allow the bulbs to not interfere with the Radions. Assuming I could do this what bulb color combo would make the most sense? This would be the first time running T5's so I appreciate your feedback.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hamil...ho-fluorescent-retrofit.html#tab-full-details

I have the Hamilton kit and the Reefbrite kit on my 120. It's nice that the Hamilton kit is smaller but, the Reefbrite has a better(bigger) reflector. If you have the room, I would use there retro.

Bmartinez76 · Nov 8, 2016

pirate2876 said:
I have the Hamilton kit and the Reefbrite kit on my 120. It's nice that the Hamilton kit is smaller but, the Reefbrite has a better(bigger) reflector. If you have the room, I would use there retro.

Thanks! I looks a little bigger, but I see your point about the reflectors. I will have to measure again, but based on my current setup it looks like I only have about 5-6 inches in between the Radions which are installed on custom rail system I installed. Thanks for posting.

lennyd19 · Nov 8, 2016

I also have 2 XR15pro gen3 over my tank which is a 50 gal deep blue tank. I had some good growth and color. 3 months ago I added 2- t5 2 bulb fluval fixtures cause I do not have a canopy. Since I have added t5's growth is better and color is insane. I agree with diesel no need for dimmable. Also look into the Hamilton Aruba sun V fixtures. In the long run what type of corals are you looking to keep? And What setting are your radions and are they pro's?

Diesel · Nov 8, 2016

I would go for the Giesemann bulbs.
The color depends on all how you run your Radions.
If you go for SPS I would almost positive use one of their tropic daylight bulbs, a Azure, Actinic Blue and Super actinic.

lennyd19 · Nov 8, 2016

Bmartinez76 · Nov 8, 2016

lennyd19 said:
I also have 2 XR15pro gen3 over my tank which is a 50 gal deep blue tank. I had some good growth and color. 3 months ago I added 2- t5 2 bulb fluval fixtures cause I do not have a canopy. Since I have added t5's growth is better and color is insane. I agree with diesel no need for dimmable. Also look into the Hamilton Aruba sun V fixtures. In the long run what type of corals are you looking to keep? And What setting are your radions and are they pro's?

I do have the pro's.

I'm keeping both LPS and SPS, but just started to acquire SPS pieces. My favorite frags so far are the Orange Passion and WD Tenius. I want to ensure my lighting is proper so these pieces grow nicely as they aren't cheap. I'm getting a PAR meter tomorrow in the mail and plan on changing my lighting schedule/settings. The schedule I have now is what the LFS recommended, but while I'm getting nice corals I feel the growth is lacking.

lennyd19 · Nov 8, 2016

If you like those Frags I would definitely add t5 to keep the colors that they have. I have the WD tenuis and it had lost some color till I added t5. But I would also up your intensity but slowly. I did 2% every two weeks till I got to 94%. And my tank is small compared to yours. Since I added t5 I took intensity down to 84% and 1 hour a day for t5. I up it 2% and 1 hour for t5 every 2 weeks. Have you read the coral lab studies on best settings for radions? If not here is the link http://ecotechmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Ecotech_CoralLab_WP1.pdf
Sps ab+ is the one most go with.

Bmartinez76 · Nov 8, 2016

lennyd19 said:
If you like those Frags I would definitely add t5 to keep the colors that they have. I have the WD tenuis and it had lost some color till I added t5. But I would also up your intensity but slowly. I did 2% every two weeks till I got to 94%. And my tank is small compared to yours. Since I added t5 I took intensity down to 84% and 1 hour a day for t5. I up it 2% and 1 hour for t5 every 2 weeks. Have you read the coral lab studies on best settings for radions? If not here is the link http://ecotechmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Ecotech_CoralLab_WP1.pdf
Sps ab+ is the one most go with.

I had not read that, so thank you! I will certainly read it as I'm still learning the best lighting settings to use and was planning to do much more research now that I'll have my apogee meter tomorrow. I just got my dosing pretty much on point, so now just need the lighting right to get the color I want from these frags.

lennyd19 · Nov 8, 2016

No problem. And best of luck. Keep posting pics looks like you are on the right track.

Bmartinez76 · Nov 8, 2016

Thanks. Can you share which bulbs you're currently using with your kits?

rainmaker · Nov 8, 2016

I just added the t5 dimmable miro 2 bulb kit. I have a 150 deep tank to soon for me tell much but have noticed corals have deeper color. I'm useing ATI bulbs Aquablue Special and Blue Plus

ultimatemj · Nov 8, 2016

I'm a fan of the combo, I run y T5s from 11 to 3 to keep shadowing from impacting growth patterns, but you need to consider how you might deal with the part of your hood that hinges up....you are either going to have a bulb shining in your eyes or sitting in your way.

With the LED power you have, I'd put one T5 in back and one in front on the lift up part and either have a kill witch for when you lift it, or some kind of shield that flips in the way.

And don't forget about the added heat...

Mine hinges differently than yours, but you can see the T5 bulbs front and rear and the LED fixtures are can slide left/right on front and rear rails.

Bmartinez76 · Nov 8, 2016

ultimatemj said:
I'm a fan of the combo, I run y T5s from 11 to 3 to keep shadowing from impacting growth patterns, but you need to consider how you might deal with the part of your hood that hinges up....you are either going to have a bulb shining in your eyes or sitting in your way.

With the LED power you have, I'd put one T5 in back and one in front on the lift up part and either have a kill witch for when you lift it, or some kind of shield that flips in the way.

And don't forget about the added heat...

Mine hinges differently than yours, but you can see the T5 bulbs front and rear and the LED fixtures are can slide left/right on front and rear rails.

Thanks for you post. You make good points. I have the apex breakout box and can program the light to go off when I lift the canopy. I'm leaning on getting the Hamilton unit and will have to sort out how to install it. My canopy has a wide opening going across the middle, so I'm hoping heat isn't an issue.

ultimatemj · Nov 8, 2016

Slot is not enough....with T5s you will want fans and vents...in particular if you live anywhere warm/hot.

Check out the accessories page on http://www.rapidled.com ...affordable fans.

Bmartinez76 · Nov 8, 2016

Thanks. I live in Florida, my AC is on all day. Will check into these fans.

Orly20 · Nov 8, 2016

Just fired mine up this week

Hoping to get some good growth and colors using two OceanRevive T247 and 2 CP and 2 BP ATI's

Keep us posted on your results

Bmartinez76 · Nov 9, 2016

Diesel said:
I would go for the Giesemann bulbs.
The color depends on all how you run your Radions.
If you go for SPS I would almost positive use one of their tropic daylight bulbs, a Azure, Actinic Blue and Super actinic.

So in my situation wanting to go more SPS would use those 4 different bulbs together or 2 of a specific bulb combined with 2 of another specific bulb on the list you mentioned?