Implementing T5 on existing LED-based tank

[DeepBlue45]

I might be going backwards route here but I'm about to add some T5 (ATI coral plus) to my tank that has previously been only LED (2 x AI Prime).  I've been running the LEDs around 50% of max power for 8 hour photo period and 1.5 hour ramp up/down.  Spectrum almost entirely purple/blue/deep blue with a 4 hour mid-day period adding cool white/uv. 

 

Everything I've put in the tank has shown good growth and color but it's mostly zoas, shrooms and LPS (blastos, acans, 2 scolys, fungia, lithophylon and a couple euphyllia's).  Then I started dipping a tow in the SPS water with a couple stylo, birdsnest and pocillopora frags which also seem to be doing well. 

 

Long story short I recently acquired some monti cap frags and two acro's that after a couple weeks still aren't showing much polyp extension, actually it looks like I'm starting to lose my forest green acro.  My parameters are solid and I don't think flow is an issue but I'm probably only running between 50-150 PAR in the tank. 

 

What's the best way to add in the T5 now?  Leave the LED settings alone and start the T5's on a short period of 2-3 hours?  Or should I dial back the LEDs initially to avoid stressing some of the lower light stuff?

 

Thanks for any advice,

Jay

[DeepBlue45]

Wow....lot of views, no replies.  So I went ahead and turned on acclimation mode on the AI Prime's which will keep my current schedule for spectrum/intensity but reduce everything by 50% starting tomorrow and ramp back up to previous settings over 3 weeks.  In parallel I'm going to start with the T5's on a timer for 2 hours for next week and then increasing to 4 and then 6 hours. 

 

Clearly I more on the conservative side as far as approach to this hobby.....but somebody tell me if I'm making this more complicated than it needs to be!

 

J

[Apcoleman]

I added t5 to my mid day lighting schedule to help with some shadowing. They run for 6 hours a day and I did not change anything with my LEDs. Everything responded well at least for me. I already run mine at close to 100%. Why not just turn up your LEDs before trying the t5s if you want more light?

Edited September 9, 2016 by Apcoleman

[GOSKN5]

I added 2 t5 to my leds as well about a month ago... I have my t5s come on for 3 hours right now... going to slowly ramp that up to about 5...

 

I turned my LEDS down about 15% or so.. especially the whites as the T5 seems to fill that more... after a month stuff seems to be doing pretty good overall...

[GOSKN5]

I REALLY wish I had a par meter.. as I am really just guessing here haha

[menglish]

I did the same thing to my 180G tank. I have 3 maxspect razors. I added a pair of 80 T5 fixtures to the front and back of the tank with the LEDs in the middle. I started by running the T5s for 4 hrs and slowly ramp up to 8 hrs (9-5).

I think my sps frags like it. They are really starting to grow and color up

[DeepBlue45]

Awesome, thanks everyone this was exactly what I was looking for.  I'm going to start with 2 hours today.

 

The way I did my scape I have a lot of overhangs and stuff where the LEDs just create shadows and I have some chalice's and other low light stuf under there.  It's a 48" tank but shallow reef style so only 12" deep, not a lot of options for putting stuff higher/lower in the tank for light variation. I think the T5s will also help with reflected light here, and also coloring up my SPS better.

 

Appreciate the feedback,

J