Upgrade to LED T5 combo?

[artie1209]

Currently I am running a pair of 175w 14k halides and a pair of T5s 1 12k and one actinic. This is on a 120 with mostly LPS, a few leathers, and some Monti's. I realize that most folks would be using 250s but I have been having reasonable success with this combo. The debate seems to be color. I love how the yellows and greens pop with 10k, but that makes the reds and purples muddy. When I favor 14k I am getting the opposite effect. Just to keep this real I cannot drop lots of cash on this upgrade. I am considering replacing the halides with a pair of AI and supplementing them with a pair of t5s to get that added pop. That should get me more light, (an upgrade to an equivalent 250?) And of course all the associated benefits. As well as controllability to get 10k some of the time and 14k some of the time. Adding the t5s would allow me to supplement the spectrum to get that "pop". Considering a purple and an Aqua blue. What do you guys think about this combo, for me this should be a win win but but would hate to spend 900 bucks and be disappointed instead of just replacing a few bulbs.
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[cdamiano]

This sounds like a very subjective type of decision and will be based on what looks best to you. If you are having success with the current lighting, then I would just try different T5 bulbs and/or halides with your current setup and see if you can find something that works better for you. Another option if you have the room for it would be to add an LED strip to give some extra pop.

 

[Jakef150]

FYI - AI sol blue color is a bit off for some SPS.

I have one...few of my SPS are off color, not great..

i tried to adjust LEd color but not much.
for.example, purple milli i bought it from other guy he has t5 its beautiful purple but in my tank its turns to green/purple..It's good growing.

if I'm upgrade To big tank I'm going to full ATI t5 and get rid of AI sol.

Or wait for it to coming out called Vegas by AI

Jake

 

[FMF0331]

Jake, when are you upgrading ?

 

[artie1209]

Thanks for the input. I am not totally dissatisfied with my current set up but I was thinking that a pair of AI Sols could replace the Halide and save a little electricity and upgrade the brightness. They say they are stronger than 250MH bulbs (an upgrade from my 175MH) and the extra light would allow me to try other corals. With the color controllability I could get the best of both worlds 10k -14k color temps. I have been hearing that LEDs in general have good growth but can be very color specific and lacking in the full range of colors that can be created with T5s. Since If I am running a 14k equivalent led I don't technically need actinic supplementation. I guess What I am asking has anyone tried a combo like this and/or what pair of t5s would be best to fill in the "gaps". Maybe this is more of a T5 question. What bulb combinations are you using to beef up the basic atinic, 50/50, 10 or 12k combs?