T5ho supplementing for leds

[ripped tide]

jbadd99;780592 wrote: I've been debating about adding some T5 lighting to my LEDs as well. I dont have any UV LEDs in my setup and think, based on what I've been reading, my corals might do well from some added UV.

It depends on what type of corals you intend to grow.

Softies don't build a calcium skeleton, therefor UV is less important.

Hard corals use vitamin d to absorb calcium. Vitamin d is derived from the uv spectrum from the sun and diet.

 

[ichthyoid]

Ripped Tide;780593 wrote: It depends on what type of corals you intend to grow.

Softies don't build a calcium skeleton, therefor UV is less important.

Hard corals use vitamin d to absorb calcium. Vitamin d is derived from the uv spectrum from the sun and diet.

Below is a link to the action spectrum for vitamin D production. As you can see, it peaks around 290-300 nM. That does not happen in our reef systems, even from MH's. Glass blocks it all.

http://www.niwa.co.nz/sites/default/files/action_spectrum_for_vit_d_synthesis.pdf">http://www.niwa.co.nz/sites/default/files/action_spectrum_for_vit_d_synthesis.pdf</a>

Also, those so called 'uv' led's usually are not technically uv anyway (the 405-410 nM one's, I'm referring to). There are uv led's, but they are rarely, if ever, employed in reef lighting systems.

What the 405-410 nM spectrum does is allow for some flourescence, also sometimes referred to as 'pop'.

Our corals and other organisms do require vitamin D, like most life forms. Where they get it is from plankton, most likely zooplankton like copepods that produce it near the sea surface during daylight. One reference-

[IMG]http://www.biochemj.org/bj/028/1516/0281516.pdf">http://www.biochemj.org/bj/028/1516/0281516.pdf</a>

This is one reason why supplementing with vitamin D, natural plankton and/or uv (290-300 nM) irradiated plankton is important in reef systems.

 

[jbadd99]

So, tell me why it is that by RBTA as well as corals I've bought looked like one color when I bought them and, despite similar care, have changed colors over a few months.

There has to be some spectrum of light that causes this that they arent getting with my LEDs.

I get all the pop I want by changing the ratio of whites/blues on my unit, but the color still isn't the same it used to be.

 

[nassar0505]

jbadd99;780613 wrote: So, tell me why it is that by RBTA as well as corals I've bought looked like one color when I bought them and, despite similar care, have changed colors over a few months.

There has to be some spectrum of light that causes this that they arent getting with my LEDs.

I get all the pop I want by changing the ratio of whites/blues on my unit, but the color still isn't the same it used to be.

I think there are several variables that effect color change in corals, such as water parameters and of course lighting. So its hard to say its all directly related to led's, but thats what im kinda getting at as far as the limited spectrum of leds compared to what you get off t5's or Halides.

I realize the higher end leds do try to add these colors to ther setups and seem to work out well (such as the radions have green and it think some red leds) in there fixtures. Do they help or are they just all around better more intense leds hard for me to say.

Though now that i think about it PureReef runs a single led unit over one of ther displays, and it has gnarly growth and color.

Again time will tell with my setup its cheap to add t5's so just waiting on delivery.

 

[gort]

I was surprised to see this thread. Just ordered 2 T5 bulbs and got my old fixture out. Adding them in addition to my two led units. I just am not getting the same results I did with my halides. Adding Geissman 11k aqua blue plus.
(think that's what they were but I know 11k)

Glad to see I am thinking like lots of others.

 

[nassar0505]

Gort;780630 wrote: I was surprised to see this thread. Just ordered 2 T5 bulbs and got my old fixture out. Adding them in addition to my two led units. I just am not getting the same results I did with my halides. Adding Geissman 11k aqua blue plus.
(think that's what they were but I know 11k)

Glad to see I am thinking like lots of others.

I once heard something about great minds thinking a like, now I know its true. lol

 

[no1bubba]

Really glad to see that others share my opinion. Love the look from my old MH but not the heat (had two fans running on the sump) or cost. Bubba

 

[ichthyoid]

jbadd99;780613 wrote: So, tell me why it is that by RBTA as well as corals I've bought looked like one color when I bought them and, despite similar care, have changed colors over a few months.

There has to be some spectrum of light that causes this that they arent getting with my LEDs.

I get all the pop I want by changing the ratio of whites/blues on my unit, but the color still isn't the same it used to be.

Color appears to be related to light and/or environment. Nearby zooxanthellae and food molecules/pigments (amino acids and phytochemicals in particular) have been implicated as well as spectrum. I'm not sure anyone's sure about this one yet. It's a $1 million question for sure!

 

[fishlips]

This thread is what I been needing for awhile. Very good info. Can someone recommend what to add to my 4 bulb t5 ,2 blue plus,1 coral plus,1 aqua blue. Almost all sps in 90 gal. Would like to know more about uv. and is a fixture i can add for that. My growth is ok on most, but can improve with better lighting.

 

[jbadd99]

nassar0505;780652 wrote: I once heard something about great minds thinking a like, now I know its true. lol

Yep... and of course... then there's minds like ours :crazy:

 

[nassar0505]

jbadd99;780809 wrote: Yep... and of course... then there's minds like ours :crazy:

Hahaha indeed there are.. touche!

 

[texhorns98]

I've considered dropping a single 150W halide pendant in between my two LED fixtures. Just don't know if there would be a noticeable difference in the look of the tank. I would want an even spread across the whole 6ft.