Ecotech XR30G4 + Aquatic Life 4 Bulb T5 Fixture

[Sdoutreefer]

I really do love the way that T5s make your tank look, and stumbled across the Aquatic Life Hybrid 4bulb fixture. My tank is the Red Sea Reefer 200. I get fine spread on the tank itself, as it is just shy of 2' wide, and 2' deep. I run my radion at 65% for 12 hours a day, with around 7 hours of peak lighting. Everything looks happy right now.

My main question is, is this worth it? Would it be over kill? Does it make sense to add 4xT5 bulbs to a LED fixture?

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[bobnicaragua]

It makes a lot of sense for acropora, especially as they grow in and shading becomes an issue.

 

[SaltyWalty]

I run a similar set up with AI hydras and the aqualife t5 hybrid and I love it! They corals do too! It provides a really nice even spread of light and fills parts of the tank I never thought were shadowed until the t5s come on.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I run a similar set up with AI hydras and the aqualife t5 hybrid and I love it! They corals do too! It provides a really nice even spread of light and fills parts of the tank I never thought were shadowed until the t5s come on.

You love it?? Ok good. What is your photo period with the T5s in comparison to your hydra?

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I run a similar set up with AI hydras and the aqualife t5 hybrid and I love it! They corals do too! It provides a really nice even spread of light and fills parts of the tank I never thought were shadowed until the t5s come on.

You love it?? Ok good. What is your photo period with the T5s in comparison to your hydra?

 

[SaltyWalty]

You love it?? Ok good. What is your photo period with the T5s in comparison to your hydra?

I run more sps and light demanding corals, but I have my LEDs for 14 hours a day, that includes a one hour ramp up/down, once my LEDs reach their set peak, an hour after turning on in the morning, my t5s come on for 6 hours.
I usually run an AB+ With a good bit more white during the day on the LEDs, then once the t5s turn off I ramp down the whites in the leds to get a few hours of super blue in the evening. So I guess my ramp down is a good bit longer since the whites go down early
I will say some corals look so much better under the t5s than the LEDs alone. It’s brings out blues and pinks really well

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I run more sps and light demanding corals, but I have my LEDs for 14 hours a day, that includes a one hour ramp up/down, once my LEDs reach their set peak, an hour after turning on in the morning, my t5s come on for 6 hours.
I usually run an AB+ With a good bit more white during the day on the LEDs, then once the t5s turn off I ramp down the whites in the leds to get a few hours of super blue in the evening. So I guess my ramp down is a good bit longer since the whites go down early
I will say some corals look so much better under the t5s than the LEDs alone. It’s brings out blues and pinks really well

My tank is currently SPS dominant, and I think I've already bleached out one of my acros accidentally. It is newer to the tank, so hoping it can make a recovery.

What is your setting on your Hydra? What percentage is it putting out at peak?

 

[SaltyWalty]

I run an AB+ spectrum on my hydras, and peak about 75% power.
I’ve always found that t5s tend to be gentler on corals I’ve rarely had them bleach out under t5s. It’s only when I’ve messed with my LEDs that I’ve seen corals bleach out. Plus you can turn them on for an hour or so to begin with, and ramp it up each week.