Thinking of switching from LED to t5

[joiningsession]

I have only had my tank set up for 3 months and have had the Vertex Illumina 200 fixture on my tank 36 x 18 x 24. I love LED technology and thats why I went this way in the first place. When I bought the tank, I was given 4 bulb retro t5 kit so I have it sitting in the closet, debating if I want to use it and put the money from vertex towards an apex or another mp10 lol

Anyway what is making me debate this is I like the look of actinics. The vertex only uses white, blue, and royal blue so I cant achieve that look with them. But I find myself debating if the 4 bulb retro t5 kit will be good enough for a 24 inch deep tank that will be mixed or will I need to add another 2 bulb kit and make it a 6 bulb t5. Mostly LPS dominate but SPS towards top third of aquarium.

I could supplement the LEDs with 2 bulb t5 but really dont want to go that route...

Any thoughts would be welcome!
Any questions or anything I left out, just ask away.

Thanks!

[Wmich2008]

What brand is the retro-fit?

[SneekaPeek]

supplement with t5. it will be amazing!

[asid61]

I would supplement, or replace the Vertex with something like a Razor. Razors are better, IMO. More colors, and useful ones at that. And they use violets.

[OCCOFNY]

Look into the Ai Hydras. Not bad at $399

[fijisrfr]

Add the UV pad & you'll be amazed!

[nickdo]

vertex + uv is better.

1. no optic means wide spread.
2. close led cluster means strong par.

no optic + close led cluster = wide spread and strong par.

optic create shadow, i hate it.

[fijisrfr]

Ditto on that, here's a pic of my 50 gal cube lit with the illumina sr 200 12" model242123

[chadfarmer]

tried the 2 t5 didn't make much of a difference

don't buy the razor been there done that. my zetlight 6600 made my corals look better under them


still wont swap out my t5 on my main tank

[ghst1203reef]

They have different types of LED light at buildmyLED I just or one from them.

[Doogy]

I personally wouldn't go to a t5 from led. I would look at alternative led fixtures. I have the reef breeders photon 48 and it is WAY better that my old quad t5 setup. Another thing to consider is hear and power consumption. And I get way better coloration out of LEDs not to mention the shimmering. If you're not happy with current lighting, try another LED. Just my opinion.

[kevensquint]

I went from radion back to T5/MH. I really don't find led light gives equivalent results. But why not line either side of the vertex with 2 actinic T5's per side?
FWIW, I finally sold both my mp-10's...good ridence! 5 part replacements on 2 pumps in 11 months. Fisher-price. IME, if you sell the vertex for a pump you may want to consider mp-10's competition.

[A. Grandis]

I like the ATI fixtures.
You won't regret!!

Grandis.

[CBlair]

Just did this myself first tried the ai sol blue but didn't care for the color and corals did not react well to it then I tried a radion and still no Improvement so I sold both and bought an ati 8 bulb sunpower and couldn't be happier and corals are looking good.