T5/LED combo is the future?! Your opinion on BRS lighting review and choice

moatdaddy · 01/25/2016, 08:43 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTuj5MJCgpc

Episode 19-21 cover T5, Halide, and LED. In this episode they make a choice that faces many reefers. I find the consensus, the actual in depth analysis, and only slight bias refreshing. My only complaint is they limited the review to the products they sell. There is no mention of knock offs or Chinese products for lighting and well... they are running a business. With that being my only complaint i have to say i completely agree with their logical choice.

T5/LED combo.

T5 for shadowing, spectrum, blue lighting coloration, and reliability in great coral growth.
LED for control, spectrum, shimmer, and long term no bulb replacement means less long term costs.

I would do it differently than they did by going with a cheaper LED. Dont get me wrong, I love the kessil AP700 but i cannot afford one, disabled veteran here on fixed income, so i am okay with testing the knockoff.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Populargrow-.../201465783503?

Then i would by one of these for each side.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-sun...ht-supply.html

ATI bulbs of course, blue plus probably, would depend on coloration of the led in the tank for my bulb choice.

I think this LED in the middle of a 4 foot tank flanked by two sets of t5ho on the side will give a nice spread of light and options.

What do you guys and girls think of the brs video review and of my cheap alternative choice.

Brandon

RocketEngineer · 01/26/2016, 10:50 AM

Right now, I'm running a BuildMyLED 14,000K strip between pairs of T5s retrofit kits and LOVE IT. The BML strips have a lens that really blends the colors well so I get the color pop of the LED without the disco ball issues.

For T5s, I use a 4-bulb combo of (2) Blue+, (1) Aquablue Special, and (1) Purple+ with the Blue+ split between the two different plugs.

terry4505 · 01/26/2016, 10:57 AM

I am firmly in the T5/LED combo camp. I've had great success with my Gen3 Radion/T5 combo on my old 12, and am loving my T5/Kessil combo on my new 180:

sixpackgarage · 01/26/2016, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terry4505

I am firmly in the T5/LED combo camp. I've had great success with my Gen3 Radion/T5 combo on my old 12, and am loving my T5/Kessil combo on my new 180:

Functionality aside, that's a sweet looking setup. Well done!

terry4505 · 01/26/2016, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixpackgarage

Functionality aside, that's a sweet looking setup. Well done!

I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. It functions flawlessly for my purposes

oseymour · 01/26/2016, 01:19 PM

Based on that BRS video I decided that T5/LED was the way to go. I have a AP700 on my current 50 gallon tank. I'm about to upgrade to a 4 foot 75 gallon tank. I can't afford another AP700 to cover the tank so i purchased a 2 fixture ATI bulb strip. I'll probably add another soon.

I'm still trying to figure out how to make it look good as I don't have a canopy and it's a rimless tank.

Webmanny · 01/26/2016, 01:31 PM

I'm also 100% in agreement that the best combination for price, heat reduction and functionality.

I built my own out of an Odyssea 4 bulb unit. I just removed the two center bulbs and place two LED pucks there. I'm even growing SPS sticks these days.

Also, Terry... I love how that light looks. Great work.

LED puck on the heatsink:

LED inside the reflector cutout.

The light with all modules on.

If you don't want the light on top of the tank, you can do what I'm trying to find the time to do. This would be the end product.

dlai531 · 01/26/2016, 01:41 PM

Been thinking about this topic alot recently... I know I want some sort of T5/LED combo just trying to decide between T5 with LED supplements or other way around.

Currently running Reefbreeders LED over my 4ft tank but not too happy with the spread and SPS growth.

Debating between
1) ATI 8x54 fixture with Reefbrite LED
2) Two Hydra 52 and supplement with 4 T5 - Saves on electricity and bulb change vs 8 bulb ATI

Leaning towards option 1 since its proven but still unsure.

keychild486 · 01/26/2016, 03:35 PM

Led/t5 is the future. Heres is a set up i did.

sixpackgarage · 01/26/2016, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terry4505

I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. It functions flawlessly for my purposes

sorry, didn't mean that it didn't function.. just that it looks awesome no matter what.. I know it functions for sure

rc1626 · 01/26/2016, 04:17 PM

4 Kessil a360we and 4 T5 on my new 120. T5's are ATI Blue+, Coral+, Purple+ and another Blue+ from front to back. Kessils sit in the middle. I've run similar in the past with success. The new tank has a few coral frags from my old tank and to this point colors look great. Too early to tell how growth will be. Par on my sand bed is easily 200-250 with kessils at about 50-60% intensity and color at about 50%. T5's are on 2 Hamilton Aruba Sun fixtures which have led moonlight strips on them as well.

moatdaddy · 01/26/2016, 06:38 PM

I like to visit the sps forum here and when I look at all the super amazing tanks. I can't recall one that started with small frags to large colonies that was led alone. I pulled the trigger. 8 t5 bulb ati. My inner cheap bastard screemed retro or cheap Chinese t5 the add reflects. The rationalist who say these amazing tanks ATI lights make won me over. So for now I have said no to LED. Its for a top down sps only frag tank build so no concern for shimmer. Mainly growth and color. This is more of an experiment for me than a living room display.

RedStangGA · 01/26/2016, 07:02 PM

I'm tempted to go LED/T5. Have been pretty set on a Hamilton Cebu Sun fixture but I do already have one Kessil A360W. 2 more Kessil's and an 8x80w ATI SunPower and I'd have a pretty nice setup for about the same price. Decisions, decisions...

CrayolaViolence · 01/26/2016, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moatdaddy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTuj5MJCgpc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Populargrow-.../201465783503?

Then i would by one of these for each side.
Brandon

FWIW, I bought two popular grows. I am sending them back tomorrow. Had horrible coral growth under them The mars aqua has done much better. Also when I received the units the plugs were DOA. Emailed the seller they promised me new plugs, but they never came. I should have taken it for a sign. Anyhow, they leave in the morning back to where they came from hopefully so I can get a refund. My halide T5 combo is back up and running.

moatdaddy · 01/26/2016, 07:12 PM

Was it these popular grows I linked the 169w cob type of the 3w 165w.

boostedvq · 01/26/2016, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webmanny

I'm also 100% in agreement that the best combination for price, heat reduction and functionality.

I built my own out of an Odyssea 4 bulb unit. I just removed the two center bulbs and place two LED pucks there. I'm even growing SPS sticks these days.

Also, Terry... I love how that light looks. Great work.

LED puck on the heatsink:

LED inside the reflector cutout.

The light with all modules on.

If you don't want the light on top of the tank, you can do what I'm trying to find the time to do. This would be the end product.

Sorry for reposting the entire post, however what are the name of those swing arms you mounted your light on?

SkullV · 01/26/2016, 07:30 PM

T5/LED for me as well. DIY modified TEK 6 bulb with Rapid LED CREE Actinic Supplement Kit. Also added fans for cooling both the T5 bulbs/Ballasts and the LEDs/Drivers.

Dans85 · 01/26/2016, 07:30 PM

I've been interested in the COB fixtures. One thing I don't like is that the blues, reds, and greens share the same channel.

butters417 · 01/26/2016, 07:35 PM

Here's my hood over a 150DD cube

Webmanny · 01/26/2016, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boostedvq

Sorry for reposting the entire post, however what are the name of those swing arms you mounted your light on?

Look for 80/20 extruded aluminum. They sell all the parts for it.

datsunfiveten · 01/26/2016, 10:08 PM

People have been telling me to add t5 retro to my kessil a360w I get great growth with all lps and montis I have. My acros grow but much slower. So I plan to add 2 or 4 t5s in a few weeks.

moatdaddy · 01/26/2016, 10:18 PM

The problem I found is the high end t5 fixture makers do not currently offer dual light bars. They do offer combo premades but those are pricey. If you or anyone else is planning on doing any sort of combo feel free to link what you are getting. Or pictures. Some great set ups so far

gus6464 · 01/27/2016, 12:45 AM

I run a hybrid although it's more 50/50. LEDs mostly handle my blue spectrum and T5 handle the rest. Light is a custom ATI Powermodule done by nanobox reef.

Each row has 30 LEDs for a total of 60. 40x Luxeon T royal blue, 10x Luxeon Rebel ES cool blue, and 10x Semiled violet (~420nm). Then for T5 I do 2x coral+, 2x true actinic, 1x purple+, and 1x aquablue special.

The LEDs are only running at ~0.7W each but density is so high they put out some serious PAR.

skinsfan1 · 01/27/2016, 09:58 AM

I have a couple questions for the guys running this type of setup. What type of lighting schedule are you running?. Are you running a dusk/dawn setup with the led's running only part of the day or is everything running together all day? And also, What intensity are the led's running? I am currently running 2 kessil 360We's on my 75g and run a 12hr program with my peak intensity @ 80% with color %45 for only 4hrs a day.

Thanks

boostedvq · 01/27/2016, 10:01 AM

On my old setup, I was running dusk/dawn via LEDs, but had my 4 T5s come on midday (12-3) for a peak lighting duration of 3 hours. For me, it worked well. I have since sold that current setup, and will be running a T5/LED combo utilizing some Vertex Illumina LEDs once my new setup is running.

01/25/2016, 08:43 PM	#1
moatdaddy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Panama City beach florida Posts: 848	T5/LED combo is the future?! Your opinion on BRS lighting review and choice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTuj5MJCgpc Episode 19-21 cover T5, Halide, and LED. In this episode they make a choice that faces many reefers. I find the consensus, the actual in depth analysis, and only slight bias refreshing. My only complaint is they limited the review to the products they sell. There is no mention of knock offs or Chinese products for lighting and well... they are running a business. With that being my only complaint i have to say i completely agree with their logical choice. T5/LED combo. T5 for shadowing, spectrum, blue lighting coloration, and reliability in great coral growth. LED for control, spectrum, shimmer, and long term no bulb replacement means less long term costs. I would do it differently than they did by going with a cheaper LED. Dont get me wrong, I love the kessil AP700 but i cannot afford one, disabled veteran here on fixed income, so i am okay with testing the knockoff. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Populargrow-.../201465783503? Then i would by one of these for each side. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-sun...ht-supply.html ATI bulbs of course, blue plus probably, would depend on coloration of the led in the tank for my bulb choice. I think this LED in the middle of a 4 foot tank flanked by two sets of t5ho on the side will give a nice spread of light and options. What do you guys and girls think of the brs video review and of my cheap alternative choice. Brandon

01/26/2016, 10:50 AM	#2
RocketEngineer Space is big. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 3,226	Right now, I'm running a BuildMyLED 14,000K strip between pairs of T5s retrofit kits and LOVE IT. The BML strips have a lens that really blends the colors well so I get the color pop of the LED without the disco ball issues. For T5s, I use a 4-bulb combo of (2) Blue+, (1) Aquablue Special, and (1) Purple+ with the Blue+ split between the two different plugs. __________________ -RocketEngineer "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Current Tank Info: None Currently

01/26/2016, 01:19 PM	#6
oseymour Euphyllia Addict Join Date: May 2012 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 1,424	Based on that BRS video I decided that T5/LED was the way to go. I have a AP700 on my current 50 gallon tank. I'm about to upgrade to a 4 foot 75 gallon tank. I can't afford another AP700 to cover the tank so i purchased a 2 fixture ATI bulb strip. I'll probably add another soon. I'm still trying to figure out how to make it look good as I don't have a canopy and it's a rimless tank. __________________ Just started Red Sea Reefer 350 (75 Gallon) Build Thread - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2555495 Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 350

01/26/2016, 01:31 PM	#7
Webmanny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: 33612 Posts: 2,461	I'm also 100% in agreement that the best combination for price, heat reduction and functionality. I built my own out of an Odyssea 4 bulb unit. I just removed the two center bulbs and place two LED pucks there. I'm even growing SPS sticks these days. Also, Terry... I love how that light looks. Great work. LED puck on the heatsink: LED inside the reflector cutout. The light with all modules on. If you don't want the light on top of the tank, you can do what I'm trying to find the time to do. This would be the end product. __________________ 32 gallon Biocube, DIY LEDs and Triton Method. My N=1 study of me, validated by me, and supported by completely anecdotal evidence, states that my advice is 100% correct, most of the time.

01/26/2016, 07:02 PM	#13
RedStangGA Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Winter Garden, FL Posts: 1,052	I'm tempted to go LED/T5. Have been pretty set on a Hamilton Cebu Sun fixture but I do already have one Kessil A360W. 2 more Kessil's and an 8x80w ATI SunPower and I'd have a pretty nice setup for about the same price. Decisions, decisions... __________________ Marineland 220, Marineland 60 Cube

01/26/2016, 10:57 AM	#3
terry4505 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rochester, Ny Posts: 663	I am firmly in the T5/LED combo camp. I've had great success with my Gen3 Radion/T5 combo on my old 12, and am loving my T5/Kessil combo on my new 180:

01/26/2016, 01:41 PM	#8
dlai531 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Redondo Beach Posts: 113	Been thinking about this topic alot recently... I know I want some sort of T5/LED combo just trying to decide between T5 with LED supplements or other way around. Currently running Reefbreeders LED over my 4ft tank but not too happy with the spread and SPS growth. Debating between 1) ATI 8x54 fixture with Reefbrite LED 2) Two Hydra 52 and supplement with 4 T5 - Saves on electricity and bulb change vs 8 bulb ATI Leaning towards option 1 since its proven but still unsure.

01/26/2016, 06:38 PM	#12
moatdaddy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Panama City beach florida Posts: 848	I like to visit the sps forum here and when I look at all the super amazing tanks. I can't recall one that started with small frags to large colonies that was led alone. I pulled the trigger. 8 t5 bulb ati. My inner cheap bastard screemed retro or cheap Chinese t5 the add reflects. The rationalist who say these amazing tanks ATI lights make won me over. So for now I have said no to LED. Its for a top down sps only frag tank build so no concern for shimmer. Mainly growth and color. This is more of an experiment for me than a living room display.

01/26/2016, 07:12 PM	#15
moatdaddy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Panama City beach florida Posts: 848	Was it these popular grows I linked the 169w cob type of the 3w 165w.

01/26/2016, 07:30 PM	#17
SkullV They Got My Number Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 6,898	T5/LED for me as well. DIY modified TEK 6 bulb with Rapid LED CREE Actinic Supplement Kit. Also added fans for cooling both the T5 bulbs/Ballasts and the LEDs/Drivers.

01/26/2016, 07:30 PM	#18
Dans85 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Montrose, Co Posts: 288	I've been interested in the COB fixtures. One thing I don't like is that the blues, reds, and greens share the same channel.

01/26/2016, 07:35 PM	#19
butters417 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NY Posts: 36	Here's my hood over a 150DD cube

01/26/2016, 10:08 PM	#21
datsunfiveten Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento, ca Posts: 138	People have been telling me to add t5 retro to my kessil a360w I get great growth with all lps and montis I have. My acros grow but much slower. So I plan to add 2 or 4 t5s in a few weeks. __________________ Current Tank Info: 125 gallon 48x30x20 rimless. 2 Kessil a360w, 30 gal sump Reef octopus skimmer.

01/26/2016, 10:18 PM	#22
moatdaddy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Panama City beach florida Posts: 848	The problem I found is the high end t5 fixture makers do not currently offer dual light bars. They do offer combo premades but those are pricey. If you or anyone else is planning on doing any sort of combo feel free to link what you are getting. Or pictures. Some great set ups so far

01/27/2016, 12:45 AM	#23
gus6464 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,079	I run a hybrid although it's more 50/50. LEDs mostly handle my blue spectrum and T5 handle the rest. Light is a custom ATI Powermodule done by nanobox reef. Each row has 30 LEDs for a total of 60. 40x Luxeon T royal blue, 10x Luxeon Rebel ES cool blue, and 10x Semiled violet (~420nm). Then for T5 I do 2x coral+, 2x true actinic, 1x purple+, and 1x aquablue special. The LEDs are only running at ~0.7W each but density is so high they put out some serious PAR.

01/27/2016, 09:58 AM	#24
skinsfan1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Dakota Posts: 67	I have a couple questions for the guys running this type of setup. What type of lighting schedule are you running?. Are you running a dusk/dawn setup with the led's running only part of the day or is everything running together all day? And also, What intensity are the led's running? I am currently running 2 kessil 360We's on my 75g and run a 12hr program with my peak intensity @ 80% with color %45 for only 4hrs a day. Thanks __________________ Do I like reefing because Im a control freak? or am I a control freak because I like reefing?? Current Tank Info: 75RR Aqueon, 20L sump (no baffles), RF octopus NWB150 skimmer, 2 Kessil A360WE. Black Occ pair, One spot FoxFace, few softies and one Large S. Haddoni

01/27/2016, 10:01 AM	#25
boostedvq Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Cali Posts: 311	On my old setup, I was running dusk/dawn via LEDs, but had my 4 T5s come on midday (12-3) for a peak lighting duration of 3 hours. For me, it worked well. I have since sold that current setup, and will be running a T5/LED combo utilizing some Vertex Illumina LEDs once my new setup is running.