Time to change T-5 bulbs and want a more blue look

[Shooter6]

The amazon/ebay popbloom blue bars will give you pop without the major hit to your wallet. I use a blue and a full spectrum bre to grow my colorado sunburst nems.

 

[Shooter6]

470nm Led Aquarium Bar Light 21.65"/33"/45" Blue Spectrum Strip Light for Tank | eBay

Spectrum: All Blue color 470nm Wavelength. PopularGrow LED Aquarium Lamp. IP Rate: IP 65. Leds View Angle: 120 Degree. Led with CE/UL/RoHS Certification. Chip Size: 45 Mil. No Risky Led Light. What You Get With PopularGrow LED.

www.ebay.com

Led Aquarium Light 54w/81w/108w MIX Spectrum Strip Light for Tank Fish | eBay

PopularGrow LED Aquarium Lamp. Spectrum: 470nm,430nm,450nm,1000k. Leds View Angle: 120 Degree. Net Weight: 1.5kg/1.8kg/2.1kg. Led with CE/UL/RoHS Certification. No Risky Led Light. What You Get With PopularGrow LED.

www.ebay.com

Links. The blue really give pop the other adds a more balanced white appearance. Together they make a nice look.

 

[t5Nitro]

You can also zip tie the led bars to the ati, which is how I have mine lol.

 

[Shooter6]

You can also zip tie the led bars to the ati, which is how I have mine lol.

You could use two pieces of aluminum angle iron. Cut to reach a little over the front and back of the ati fixture. Then screw the led bar mount brackets to it. The bars will balance each other out, letting them to hang and be angled to best light the system.

 

[glb]

You can also zip tie the led bars to the ati, which is how I have mine lol.

This is for lights other than the reefbrite right?

 

[Shooter6]

These are the 2 21inch ebay bars I have over my sump. As you can see they come with mounting brackets. I ziptied the brackets from each together.
I'm thinking of adding 1-2 more and will use the aluminum angle iron I recommended to mount the lights to when I do add them.

 

[glb]

So for those of you who added an led strip, did you adjust the light schedule so the corals could get used to it?

 

[fishface NJ]

So for those of you who added an led strip, did you adjust the light schedule so the corals could get used to it?

no

 

[mfinn]

So for those of you who added an led strip, did you adjust the light schedule so the corals could get used to it?

no

 

[MIke Wood]

i run a hybrid fixture. i think the best mix for me for pop with t5s alone are 2 blue plus, 1 actinic, and 1 purple blus. the blue plus alone are great but the red in the purple plus helps to balance out the green which helps with pop. but as stated above you wont be able to replicate a pop from led actinics. t5s are very flat looking to be. i love the combo look with leds though.

 

[MIke Wood]

i run a hybrid fixture. i think the best mix for me for pop with t5s alone are 2 blue plus, 1 actinic, and 1 purple blus. the blue plus alone are great but the red in the purple plus helps to balance out the green which helps with pop. but as stated above you wont be able to replicate a pop from led actinics. t5s are very flat looking to be. i love the combo look with leds though.

but if youre not looking for increased par and just the pop. looks at the truelumen led strips. not sure if they are still around but the stunner leds were amazing for pop.

 

[glb]

but if youre not looking for increased par and just the pop. looks at the truelumen led strips. not sure if they are still around but the stunner leds were amazing for pop.

I’m just looking for the pop. Don’t need more par. Thanks!

 

[MIke Wood]

The actinic ones are super purple/blue the pop is insane with them. I think they are made by current usa. They are super thin so they don't take away from your current light.

I’m just looking for the pop. Don’t need more par. Thanks!

 

[glb]

So my T-5’s are about ready to be changed out. I’m thinking add the Reefbrite first, let the coral adjust to slightly higher par, then change out each t-5 bulb one at a time over a few months. Does this sound like a good plan?

 

[t5Nitro]

You can swap them all at once without issue.

 

[Derrick0580]

I know it’s a money making thing, but I am surprised someone hasn’t come up with a t5 led replacement. I’m sure they can get more par and they will last a lot longer. If I can get t5 led’s for my kitchen, they can make t5 led bulbs with the correct spectrum leds for retrofitting aquariums!

 

[glb]

You can swap them all at once without issue.

I did that once and it really affected my corals. But it had been over two years since changed the bulbs. I’m a little overly cautious!

 

[fishface NJ]

I have a 6 light fixture. I switch out every 16 months. One bulb 3 weeks apart

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Interesting...I always thought actinics were what gave the reef its pop. I am running 3 actinics and 1 blue and I am VERY disappointed. Guess I had better jump on a few blues for the fourth of july sale.

 

[Bpb]

3 blue+ one purple+ will cure that green look