Thinking about T5 hybrid?

LAreefdude

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 2, 2020
Messages
24
Reaction score
23
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I would like to hear your opinion if that could be to much light on a 65 Gallon, Or would you just stick with LEDs.

This would be used for nothing crazy. Just for Regular Softies, LPS, and maybe easy SPS corals.

Do you think its best to be equipped with a lot of light or just what you need?
 

andrewey

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 9, 2016
Messages
2,659
Reaction score
6,113
Location
Virginia
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
For the corals you are trying to grow, I would say it comes down to aesthetics. If you like the look of T5 lit tanks (e.g. color, diffuse light, etc.), go for it, but if it's for another reason, you're likely to see little benefit beyond reduced shadowing.
 

BighohoReef

A reefer in need is a friend indeed!
View Badges
Joined
Apr 14, 2020
Messages
3,997
Reaction score
11,346
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’d say it comes down to preference on lighting color. Had two 48” T5s coupled with two xr30s over my mixed tank I didn’t care much for the white light color. Corals seemed to do well under them, we saw some good growth in that time. We’ve now moved to the Orphek LED blue bar and the corals looked happy have a few heads growing all the LPS, I’d highly recommend them!

Thought I had a older/better pic with the T5s but I only have one with one light up.

F39A87B7-ADE9-4B03-A4A9-5F076F2A4B71.jpeg 85CF476A-7F34-4057-97F3-BFB395C7B22D.jpeg
 
OP
OP
LAreefdude

LAreefdude

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 2, 2020
Messages
24
Reaction score
23
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Depends on your LED's, tank dimensions, stocking, etc. That being said, in general I would recommend the hybrid. The T5's will reduce shadowing and diffuse the light from the LED's. You may need to dim the LED's, but it is well worth it!

Thank you for your reply
 
OP
OP
LAreefdude

LAreefdude

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 2, 2020
Messages
24
Reaction score
23
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’d say it comes down to preference on lighting color. Had two 48” T5s coupled with two xr30s over my mixed tank I didn’t care much for the white light color. Corals seemed to do well under them, we saw some good growth in that time. We’ve now moved to the Orphek LED blue bar and the corals looked happy have a few heads growing all the LPS, I’d highly recommend them!

Thought I had a older/better pic with the T5s but I only have one with one light up.

F39A87B7-ADE9-4B03-A4A9-5F076F2A4B71.jpeg 85CF476A-7F34-4057-97F3-BFB395C7B22D.jpeg
Wow your tank looks amazing, I have been researching on Bulk Reef and they have dimmable Hybrid systems now.
 
OP
OP
LAreefdude

LAreefdude

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 2, 2020
Messages
24
Reaction score
23
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Welcome! Definitely a preference. T5 spread amazingly for a portion of the cost, however IMO LED provides better colors. I almost went with the Hybrid, however the cord management was the final decision maker.
what brand or should I say which lighting did you get brand and model and how many for your tank. and Tank size
-Cheers!
 

Fred2482

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
5,176
Reaction score
58,279
Location
Gainesville, Ga
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
what brand or should I say which lighting did you get brand and model and how many for your tank. and Tank size
-Cheers!

I'm going with radion xr30 blues. I have 3 - xr15 pros on my 80 and love them. I was hoping to save money by using them with T5 hybrid for my new 180, but decided to go with xr30's. Not sure if I will have 3 or 4 yet. Maybe for now, 2 on the ends and 2 of my xr15s in the middle!!!
 

tautog83

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 25, 2014
Messages
2,358
Reaction score
2,030
Location
albany ny
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
I just got a hybrid I've yet to install it because I'm waiting on bulbs and the mount . I have 3 xr30s with diffusers over a red sea 750 and although im getting growth , definatley running into shadowing and it would have gotten worse as the corals grow. I'm using regular rms which isnt the best option for a tank that big but it's what I had from my old tank . Some of my corals want to grow towards the back wall so I think.the hybrid mounted properly is going to fix a lot of my problems ..will let ya know lol
 

Lizbeli

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2020
Messages
439
Reaction score
758
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Seems like t5/led hybrids are becoming popular. I JUST got my aquatic life fixture delivered today, but im at work. Ill be running it with two kessil a360x leds to keep some shimmer and the pop that Leds give.

My hope is that the T5s will lessen shadowing on my acro frags and help with growth. Im not looking forward to all the cords just for lighting, but I feel like it will be worth it.
 
Back
Top