Anyone care to share pictures of their T5/LED hybrid setups?

[Photobug]

I bought a Retro T5 light setup that has 8 bulbs in a 12x48" footprint. It seems way too bright when I am only using 4 bulbs so I don't see the need to use all 8 bulbs.

I would like to add some LEDs to get some color variety pop and moonlighting. Anyone care to share their layout of LED and T5s on the same tank? I am interested in the layout and bulb combinations used.

[Jamesus]

Been up almost 3 years with fantastic results.

[straycat]

Originally Posted by Jamesus

Been up almost 3 years with fantastic results.

What's been up 3 years, does it have name?

[Photobug]

Originally Posted by Jamesus

Been up almost 3 years with fantastic results.

Looks nice Jamesus. Can you share the details? Did you build it yourself? What mix of lights are you using?

[zachfishman]

Check out this 120, 4xT5 and two rows of 24 Royal Blue LEDs:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2175051&page=3

LEDs might still be pricey and still trying to nail the best-looking spectrum, but we certainly can count on them to provide great blue supps! I am considering doing the same on a DSA 90 (36"x24"x25"), the savings in bulbs alone compared to an 8-bulb T5 would be great in the long term!

[shawster2141]

That is a sweet light. Is it still holding up?

[zachfishman]

Originally Posted by shawster2141

That is a sweet light. Is it still holding up?

You'll have to contact the OP for that thread. What impressed me was that those two rows of blue LEDs were easily outputting the equivalent of four Blue+ T5s or more. Considering 48x3watt LED = 72 watts less than four 4' T5, the OP is saving around $100 in bulb costs each year (if his T5s last 12 months) plus the reduced electric.

I've calculated that the same configuration on my 36x24" system (two rows of 18 LEDs from RapidLED plus 4xT5) would break even cost-wise at three years compared to running 8xT5.

[Photobug]

Originally Posted by zachfishman

I've calculated that the same configuration on my 36x24" system (two rows of 18 LEDs from RapidLED plus 4xT5) would break even cost-wise at three years compared to running 8xT5.

Hi Zach,
How did you determine your need for 36 LEDs for your setup? I have a 55 gallon that is 48x12x18". My current light has 8 T5s but I am only using 4 of them. I am thinking 4 of them on the outer edges with a mixture of LEDs in the center.

BTW cool name for a Marine Biologist.

[zachfishman]

Originally Posted by Photobug

Hi Zach,
How did you determine your need for 36 LEDs for your setup? I have a 55 gallon that is 48x12x18". My current light has 8 T5s but I am only using 4 of them. I am thinking 4 of them on the outer edges with a mixture of LEDs in the center.

BTW cool name for a Marine Biologist.

Haha thanks, it's actually the original AIM screen name I had back in middle school that my dad chose for me. I've been doing aquaria for a long time.

I based my need of two banks of 18 LEDs solely off of the earlier setup I linked to. He had two runs of 24 LEDs over a 48"x24" tank, so I kept the same density. It's also the exact quantity included in the RapidLED retro kit.

Putting one row of LEDs over the middle of your 55 with two pairs of T5s on each side sounds great. You could pick up a pre-made LED strip from BuildmyLED.com, and add wide angle optics so you get full coverage of your DT. They use more LEDs than a RapidLED kit, but aren't 3watts I believe.

[Spirofucci]

I have my Radion "supplemeted" by the stock RSM "T5" lights, but reconfigured to the edges, front and back. This was done in an effort to help eliminate some of the shadowing caused by the Radion, due to the shape of my rock sculpture.

I think I ended up with much better coverage and a some improvement in the colors.

Here's some not very good pics:

[Photobug]

Originally Posted by zachfishman

Haha thanks, it's actually the original AIM screen name I had back in middle school that my dad chose for me. I've been doing aquaria for a long time.

I actually know someone with the name Fishman. He was a DJ when I lived in Jackson Hole. His nickname was Fish Mon, on the air.

Originally Posted by zachfishman

I based my need of two banks of 18 LEDs solely off of the earlier setup I linked to. He had two runs of 24 LEDs over a 48"x24" tank, so I kept the same density. It's also the exact quantity included in the RapidLED retro kit.

Based on that density my 12x48" should only need a 24pack of LEDs. My problem is trying to fit 4 T5s with reflectors onto a 12" wide board with room left over for a Heatsync somewhere on the board. I currently don't have individual reflectors, but the ones I have seen are 2.5 inches wide, leaving me only 2" left over for LEDs. Woops even worse. I just measured the inside dimensions of my canopy and it is only 10.5". I wonder how efficient a 1/2" wide heatsync is?