LED\T5 Combo - Have there been any studies or first hand experience?

[twiddle]

I have been reading a lot of threads about LEDs missing some light spectrums ie. UV. Also I hear grumbling from different people who have gone back to MH\T5 combo.
My question is have there been any studies or experience with LED and T5 combination of lights. I would think that this combination would work marvelously. Although maybe not have the T5s on for entire day, but maybe just long enough during peak hours to add that missing spectrum or whatever else is missing from LEDs alone. Of course there is the bulb choices as well that may help but that is a different topic.

Overall do T5s work well with LEDs?????

I am days away from setting up an LED combo with 3 Vegas and using my current T5 2x2bulb fixtures.
Any feed back would be appreciated.

[BigAl2007]

I feel like if you have to use T5's to supplement then why bother with LED to begin with. Either go T5 all out or get an LED unit that has the proper LED in the first place to not need to supplement.

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by BigAl2007

I feel like if you have to use T5's to supplement then why bother with LED to begin with. Either go T5 all out or get an LED unit that has the proper LED in the first place to not need to supplement.

What? So is it the same for MH and using T5 or VHO to supplement? The logic makes no sense.

What if I can go from an 8 bulb setup to 4 bulbs and a few LED strips? I use less power still and less bulb replacements. You can even push the T5s a little longer if needed since the LEDs should maintain PAR for you.

I used T5s for years and switched to LEDs about 18 months ago. LEDs have been good and I've enjoyed them but they aren't an end all just yet. Something is missing even with the full spectrum setups (at least to my eyes). So if I can run a hybrid setup, why wouldn't I?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[YoungREEFA]

You wont need t5s if you put in the proper spectrum... Leds dont miss the spectrum, we just dont put it togather in the fixture

[markaren]

Even if you add LED for the ripple effect it would be good. My tank with LED is vibrant and alive like the ocean bottom. My t5's looked sterile and clinical in comparison.

Depends on each individual. I must say I like this thread though.

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by YoungREEFA

You wont need t5s if you put in the proper spectrum... Leds dont miss the spectrum, we just dont put it togather in the fixture

This is actually something I've put quite a bit of thought into.

Let's say you build a fixture with 50 LEDs and you go with like 15 white, 20 blue, 8 violet, 4 red and 3 green. (These ratios are totally made up and only for illustrating my point.) You spread all the LEDs out on a heatsink and try to balance it all out but you are left with MAJOR holes in the spectral plot in parts of the tank. Those 4 reds aren't filling the tank and the violet is limited to where you can find it. Even without optics, LEDs are a pretty narrow beam compared to T5 or MH. They just don't spread out as well.

How do we overcome this? Use more LEDs and cluster them closer together? That makes you use more energy which is what most people try to sell you on, less energy consumption.

Multi chip LEDs really should be the future. There is no reason we couldn't replicate a radium bulb this way. You just have to figure out the ratios.

Just a thought and maybe I should start a new thread on it all...

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[benjc]

If you have some major cash to spend; ATI will be coming out with an LED/T5 powermodule. I was looking for an "affordable" LED fixture with two T5 bulbs but had no such luck finding one. If you already have the T5 fixture; why not see if you like the combo with the LEDs; worst-case you take them off.

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by benjc

If you have some major cash to spend; ATI will be coming out with an LED/T5 powermodule. I was looking for an "affordable" LED fixture with two T5 bulbs but had no such luck finding one. If you already have the T5 fixture; why not see if you like the combo with the LEDs; worst-case you take them off.

The big issue with that fixture is the LEDs used. We don't need red and green LEDs when running T5s. The LEDs should have been used solely for shimmer (white LEDs) and the awesome pop from blue LEDs.

Give me a month and I will have a pretty cool retro fit to show off to everyone.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[reeferlover]

i recently added a lot of sps frags from two tanks. one 100 gal with 3 AI sols and a frag flat with 4 radions. I wasnt impressed with color in the radions AI sols were much nicer IMO. I moved the frags to my tank honestly expecting some color loss. HAHA was i wrong my frags are taking off. colors are better and growth already!! i have never had coral acclumate and grow so fast. im very excited about my t5 setup. Im using 8 bulb tek 48" on my 75gal. im running all new giessmann usually ati but reefgeek had them 50% off. anyway i run 4 bulbs 11 hrs and 4 running 4hrs. all sps are jamming. not switching to leds yet and was very much considering. i know i know maybe my parameters are better but their tanks are very nice. and they are using mp40s and i use mp10s not much different flow

[twiddle]

I am definitely going to see how the LED T5 combo works for me and I can always stop using the T5s.
I spoke to ATI since they are coming out with the LED\T5 fixture and this is what they had to say...
Our True Actinic has the most UV spectrum of any of our bulbs, but all of
our bulbs have a little bit of UV in them and you do not need much UV
spectrum to make your corals happy so a combination of any of our bulbs
should work. I would think a combination of 2x Blue Plus, 1x True Actinic
and 1x Coral Plus should work good, but even your current combination of 2x
Blue Plus, 1x Purple Plus and 1x Coral Plus should be fine.

[rsaha]

Here's a spectacular example using reefbrites and T5

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2123673

[cdivine]

Originally Posted by rtparty

This is actually something I've put quite a bit of thought into.

Let's say you build a fixture with 50 LEDs and you go with like 15 white, 20 blue, 8 violet, 4 red and 3 green. (These ratios are totally made up and only for illustrating my point.) You spread all the LEDs out on a heatsink and try to balance it all out but you are left with MAJOR holes in the spectral plot in parts of the tank. Those 4 reds aren't filling the tank and the violet is limited to where you can find it. Even without optics, LEDs are a pretty narrow beam compared to T5 or MH. They just don't spread out as well.

How do we overcome this? Use more LEDs and cluster them closer together? That makes you use more energy which is what most people try to sell you on, less energy consumption.

Multi chip LEDs really should be the future. There is no reason we couldn't replicate a radium bulb this way. You just have to figure out the ratios.

Just a thought and maybe I should start a new thread on it all...

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

I totally agree with you here. There does need to be a thread on this subject. I have a 220 gallon SPS tank and to make the switch from T5 to LEDS I'd probably need 4 radion or Sol units to cover the tank properly. Light spread is a major issue on larger tanks.

[Photobug]

I actually came here to start a thread on this subject. I have started a previous thread along this subject, asking for samples.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2226071

I am going to be building a fixture now. I have a 4 bulb T5 that I have moved the bulbs outward to make a gap in the center. Currently I have 3 ATI blue plus and a Coral plus T5 bulbs that I like the pop given, just not the overall blue color of the tank.

I am also in the process of swapping out the 55 gallon tank to a 90 gallon. I am going to expand the light fixture to make it 6" deeper, add 2 more T5 bulbs and another LED strip.

What color of T5s should I use. What LEDs should I use in what combination to get the most pop without a murky purple tank?

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by Photobug

I actually came here to start a thread on this subject. I have started a previous thread along this subject, asking for samples.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2226071

I am going to be building a fixture now. I have a 4 bulb T5 that I have moved the bulbs outward to make a gap in the center. Currently I have 3 ATI blue plus and a Coral plus T5 bulbs that I like the pop given, just not the overall blue color of the tank.

I am also in the process of swapping out the 55 gallon tank to a 90 gallon. I am going to expand the light fixture to make it 6" deeper, add 2 more T5 bulbs and another LED strip.

What color of T5s should I use. What LEDs should I use in what combination to get the most pop without a murky purple tank?

My new fixture will be here tomorrow and I will have 7 bulbs to play with and see what I like. I can use 4 in the fixture.

I have 4 blue plus, 1 coral plus, 1 Aquablue and 1 purple plus. I would like to pick up an actinic to try out as well. I'm betting I will end up with something like 2 blue 1 actinic and 1 purple. Then I will have 32 white and 16 blue LEDs. I'm excited to try it all out.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[Beachbw68]

Keep up posted starting up a tank and looking for best lighting option

[Big E]

I believe the LED-T5 combo is going to be common place & have planned to go that way when when I decide to buy LEDs. I hate the shadows/gaps & the overall dim look by LEDs not to mention they don't color acros to my liking.

As time goes on I think we'll see all kinds of combos. I saw a diy MH LED & t5 combo on youtube & the tank looked great........nice and seemless. It had a 250w halide flanked by two led units & a few t5 bulbs for the final touch.

[arc eye]

Bump! Lets see some more examples, I know they are out there!

[Michigan Mike]

Wow,
I don't like LEDs narrow spectrum it emits compared to proven halide & t5ho.
LEDs if properly set up will grow SPS coral.

The ATI t5/led hybrid is available in the USA now, it has crazy high PAR levels and the LEDs will adjust to the T5 lighting if wanted. It pushes PAR levels to another level and is the future IMO especially to people who know what led is missing & I predicted awhile ago this is the future, at least for SPS dominate tanks who want the very best for our coral...bulb changes are a drop in the bucket (spend more on dosing) and although their are some nice SPS tanks run on LEDs, I believe this is the lighting for serious SPS growers.

[twiddle]

Well I have been running 3 vegas and 4 T5 since Dec 1 and I can say that I am very happy with the look and growth. I switched from MH Radium\T5 and after a rocky start from acclimation everything seems to be flourishing.
I really think T5 supplementation is good.
I am toying with the idea of adding a couple oh the MHs back into the mix since my canopy is still wired for them and I have the room..just a thought.

[twiddle]

Just to add to previous thread..my SPS is flourishing as good as it did with the MH