me and led lighting again. This is my thaought

[harleymike]

so im thinking of doing this. I am reluctant too switch too all led. So i thoaught i would take my 48" 8 bulb t5 fixture apart. Keep 4 of the t5's running and add 48 leds. Aquastyle kit. (bridglux).
any thoaughts on colours of leds.
Thanks for the help. I promise this is my last post then im making a decision. LOL

 

[KBennett]

Aren't bridgelux 1 watt?  If so, 48 wont replace 4 bulbs.

 

[curiousphil]

Depends on the led model, they definitely have 3w ones that rival Cree

 

[curiousphil]

I like the layout plan Mike.  Its really nice.  What bulbs do you run?  That will drive what colour LEDs you go with.  Without knowing that and just taking a guess I would say go with mostly royal blues with some violets, maybe in 2/1 mix of RB/violet.

RB LEDs make colours pop like MAD, I love them.

 

[harleymike]

Thanks
I think for the t5s two coral plus and two blue plus. This might be too white. So maybe 3 blue and 1 purple.
Might change the layout to the pic below. Then I dont have too change much in the fixutre.
The bridgeluxare 3w led's
I could go more led's i suppose.
Mike

 

[AdInfinitum]

I am thinking the same way.  I'm not ready to give up my halides but was planning to switch my atinics from t5 ho to rb and violet leds.

Interested to hear from anyone who has done the same.

 

[harleymike]

What is a cool white led.
Is 10,000 k a cool white.

 

[Neopimp]

a string of cool white still comes oout very yellow.

basically it a 2:1 ratio of RB to CW as a starting point.

 

[Duke]

What is a cool white led.
Is 10,000 k a cool white.

Yes. 10k cool white, and honestly I would go 3:1, even blue+ look white if u ask me.. So if it was me I would start with 36 royal blue, 12 cool white, 3 blue + and a purple +

 

[Duke]

And keep in mind I have a smaller tank and I'm running 90 leds and 2 t5s, 60 blue and 30 white, my whites are on about  30% and royal blues on 100%.

Have u thought about just running 6 t5 bulbs and running 48 royal blues? The way u could keep a coral + or 2 in there and let them provide the white light(which I think they might do better than led)

 

[harleymike]

You read my mind Duke. I think thats exactly what i might do.
I am hesitant too go all led or even half.
I don't want too upset the tank after getting everything where its at now.
I was actually thinking of keeping all 8 t5's and putting 12 royal blues in front and 12 in back of the fixture.
any thoaughts

 

[harleymike]

If I just do two strips too suppliment the t5's. And leave all 8 t5's going. I was thinking of doing all royal blue and maybe some actinic. Anyone have actinic led's, how do they look.
thanks and sorry for all the questions. My wife is getting sick of me flip flopping LOL

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

you only want the led for pop?...that will be the blue led. ..yu will want to shut off the t5s and run the all blue led.  ..but wouldnt that be for when company comes?

 

[harleymike]

It should show up with the t5's on. I think.

 

[Duke]

I would do all blues, add an Ati actinic bulb..

 

[harleymike]

Thanks Duke.
I am going to order the 24 let kit from aquastyle
All royal blue.
mike

 

[Duke]

Thanks Duke.
I am going to order the 24 let kit from aquastyle
All royal blue.
mike

Good place to start.. U an always order another kit down the road

 

[curiousphil]

If I just do two strips too suppliment the t5's. And leave all 8 t5's going. I was thinking of doing all royal blue and maybe some actinic. Anyone have actinic led's, how do they look.
thanks and sorry for all the questions. My wife is getting sick of me flip flopping LOL

Actinic = violet LEDs from 410-430 nm, I have some in my tank and they are pretty sweet.  They are very powerful though so you don't need many.

 

[sunnykita]

I posted some photos of Average Guys Reef Breeder LED lights over his tank, in the product review section, poor quality, but it might give you an idea of how they look. Shayne's tank is 30 inches deep and he went with the 120's. Overall he's quite happy with the results. Not DIY, but I thought I'd let you know that the photos were up

 

[Poseidon]

im so tempted to grab some rb LEDS and do what your doing mike... i will be following this closely, let me know how it turns out for you, post pics