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Thinking of switching from high end LEDs to MH with T5
- Thread starter fishmommy
- Start date
If you go MH go with a 250 watt mogul fixture , that will allow you to get some nice high end bulbs and better choices of colors . I am running 14 k Pheonix bulbs now and I'd like a bit more blue , but can't beat the growth on sps What takes months to do with T5s takes weeks with halides . I can't speak for Leds cept for what I have researched and seen on peoples tanks , and the turnover rate of Leds is insane . ( people selling them ) That always made me a bit cautious of Leds , if they are good , then why sell them ?
What intensity do you have them at? Have you measured the par? I'm not sure but are they full spectrum LEDs? I've used LEDs from the beginning and certainly know what you mean but the right combo of lights and water quality really can work, all depends on your desire to tinker. IMO t5 and mh are much more plug and play
OP
OP
fishmommy
Non-member
I have tried everything over the past year. I have a good par meter but have found the numbers to be useless. 150 par measured bleaches IME with these lights.
I have tried different intensities, spectrums, durations. Currently at 40% 14000k for 8 hours, which doesnt seem to bleach but isn't great color either.
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I have tried different intensities, spectrums, durations. Currently at 40% 14000k for 8 hours, which doesnt seem to bleach but isn't great color either.
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Last edited:
myram
MAINEULTRACLASSIC
Get rid of the Mitras.............never have been impressed with them at all. The few tanks I've seen with them have all looked washed out and not good at all.
My Radion Pro has great colors and growth, my tank really pops. I just added 2 T5 to the setup to help with shadowing, and the colors also got even better.
My Radion Pro has great colors and growth, my tank really pops. I just added 2 T5 to the setup to help with shadowing, and the colors also got even better.
dannyp02908
Non-member
Agree. Ive always had great colors with my Radion G2s. As a matter of fact, I switched from T5s to the Radions because I saw how frags from my T5 tank reacted under radions. With the T5s and ATI bulbs, most SPS would brown out for me. That was in a TEK fixture as well.
choff
Non-member
I agree radion g2 pro and above or kessils would be my led of choice. I run kessils with t5 and my color is great.
Actually, I had a recent dip in color on some of my corals and i didn't make the connection right away, but I had just put in 2 fresh ati blue plus bulbs. I think it was too dramatic of a par increase and it caused some corals to fade. I backed off my LEDs a bit to compensate. Hopefully they rebound. Point being you could be running them to high. LEDs are not as visually bright as other lighting and people often run higher intensities than is needed for their own visual appeal. Just a thought.
...stupid auto correct
Actually, I had a recent dip in color on some of my corals and i didn't make the connection right away, but I had just put in 2 fresh ati blue plus bulbs. I think it was too dramatic of a par increase and it caused some corals to fade. I backed off my LEDs a bit to compensate. Hopefully they rebound. Point being you could be running them to high. LEDs are not as visually bright as other lighting and people often run higher intensities than is needed for their own visual appeal. Just a thought.
...stupid auto correct
what is your alk at, just curious?
I have no evidence or scientific proof, just a hunch. BUT I think LED light is taxing on a coral and I keep my parameters low (alk 7-7.5, CA 380-400) so that you're not pushing them even harder. Like I said, just a hunch, not looking for an argument or anything......just something to try if you want
I have no evidence or scientific proof, just a hunch. BUT I think LED light is taxing on a coral and I keep my parameters low (alk 7-7.5, CA 380-400) so that you're not pushing them even harder. Like I said, just a hunch, not looking for an argument or anything......just something to try if you want
dannyp02908
Non-member
I have read a number of times that higher intensity lighting requires alk to be a bit closer to NSW.
