Mixing lighting technologies: Do you use multiple types of lighting for your reef?

[apb03]

I run 2x XR30 pros and 2x AI Blade Glows.

 

[OG-Goby]

I'm running a 175w 14k halide with some 24w 2ft t5 actinics.. I've tried pretty much every option out there, and have come back around to halides and t5s as my preferred look.

 

[RedoubtReef]

Pulp Fiction.

 

[steveweast]

I run….

3 Orphek Icons
1 Radium XR30
1 Radium XR15
1 Kessil a500x
4 24” T5 bulbs.

Different lights do different things well.

 

[steveschuerger]

All LED, but mix and match set up. ReefBreeder Photon v2, ReefBreeder Lumen Bar and ReeFi Uno 2

 

[TinnysReef]

I have red sea LEDs and Fluval Seas - Fluval Sea was my first light and it's worked really well for me growing corals. I have it on 3 of my tanks solely, and mixed with the Red Sea 160s on my big display. It's a cheaper light, the app is really easy to use (not a fan of Reef Beat tbh), and it's worked great for me.

 

[mfinn]

I have 3 different lights on my 240. CoralCare gen 2, Reef Brite, and Radion.
On my 66 I have T5 and Reef Brite.

 

[Mwatts12]

Aquatic life 4 bulb / 4-XR30 pros and reef brite strips.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I run LED, metal halide & T5. LED 13 hours, T5 8 hours & metal halide 4 hours.

 

[Minifoot77]

I run LED, metal halide & T5. LED 13 hours, T5 8 hours & metal halide 4 hours.

This is what I was planning for sticks hows it working and what mh bulbs are you using?

 

[kindafun]

Using LEDs only, but different vendors and spectrum. A long time ago I had MH, but living in AZ you don't want to add significant heat sources in the house.

 

[bobnicaragua]

This is what I was planning for sticks hows it working and what mh bulbs are you using?

I’m using reef brite fixtures and ballasts and Hamilton 20K bulbs.

 

[ca1ore]

I just run LED now, but have used different combinations over the years. Started out in the 90’s with DE metal halide supplemented with VHO actinic fluorescent. Ran my reef tanks that way for close to two decades. Took a break from the hobby for a bit. When I came back, I still used the same DE halide (though different bulbs) but swapped the VHO for LED. Then, as LED improved, I gradually replaced the MH. Now a combination of Radion G4 and Kessil 360x.

 

[1ocean]

4 Radion XR30 Gen 5 blue and 3 Kessil A 360 X Blue on the 300 gallon. A kessil is in between each two radions.

 

[TCoach]

I have a ATI Sunpower T5 as my main light with an actinic led bar for sunrise/sunset pop.

 

[DIYreefer]

My display tank is lit by halides, T5, and LED. All have their pros and cons, but the three combined can't be beat, IMO.

 

[Minifoot77]

My display tank is lit by halides, T5, and LED. All have their pros and cons, but the three combined can't be beat, IMO.

@bobnicaragua told me his secret sauce whats yours? BTW I am leaning towards 2 super actinic 2 blue plus for the t5s 10 hours, 2 10k coral brights on icecap or 2 20k radiums on hps/mh magnetic ballast for 4 hours, and 12 hours of my hydra26hds on brs spectrum. any thoughts on the combo or which mh set I should use?

 

[homer1475]

ATI powermodule hybrid.

 

[Michael White]

I’m building my light rig now, I have 6 Orphek OR4 sky Blue bars for a “blanket” with 6 kessil ap9x units for penetration, shimmer, and color/spectrum tuning. The tank is 96”x34”x36” and will be sps dominant.

 

[jackson6745]

Running this 72" giesemann spectra with 3x250w radiums, 4x T5's, and 2 blue reefbrites. There's space between the 3 halides where I can squeeze in 2x XR-15. Not that I need more light, but it would be nice to run the radions and reefbrites alone for parts of the photoperiod to make my tenuis look snazzy