T5 vs LED: T5’s secret spectrum sauce? Do LED’s have a chance on our reef tanks?

[@BRStv]

Our light testing series continues with over 20 episodes for you to binge! ➡ brs.li/BRStv_Investigates_Lighting

[@Moontanman]

I started out with metal halides and I think they can't be beat for coral growth...

[@AquaSplendor]

Alright, this video is something close to my heart. It cut a little bit the grass beneath my feet with my plans for my channel ;) but not too much. I can't compete with you but I think I have a slightly different vision that can be complementary with your videos. I tried my best to hold on with Light Review videos because I don't have a Spectrometer (which is ultra important to me), so... I am going to buy one. **** my rent once again, I can pay later right? I'm going to buy one different from the one you use so we can see if our data match or not. I'm thinking to go with the Apogee Spectrometer, what do you think? which should bring my expense on my KZbin channel to the magic number 25 000$ (Canadian) since the beginning, always been transparent with everything so I don't mind other people reading this :) (It doesn't show on my YT I know... I increase the level slowly... slowly...) Right now I'm still waiting for the Render with Kessil and Prime 16HD T5 videos, I notice a mistake so had to redo the render (35h)... kinda slow me down I really loved the comparison spectrum, it confirms exactly what I thought and felt, but didn't have the data to prove it, thank you for those confirmations, love the work behind this! Alright I think I should go sleep before I do (another) mistake. It's a not passion anymore, it's an obsession. I waited 20sec before pressing that Reply Button... kinda open letter lol

[@NeoStorm_401]

Still waiting to hear the best recommendation for ati t5 bulb Combinations ? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@samkeuler9085]

I should be mixing water instead of watching your guy’s experiments. Your stuff just keeps me coming back. Some of the best out there. Good work!!

[@Cbrullo]

You guys are killing me , making me want to go back to T5s.

[@korystrong6541]

T5 with LED supplement, way to go in my opinion. T5 just works.

[@Cbrullo]

I have t5s with led strip now just set up new tank with radions

[@jestronixhanderson9898]

Thank your for covering T5, it’s hands down the best light! Leds are closing in, but I often wonder how much of the spectrum is missing. All those fancy leds use smoothing for their spectrum charts. There could be some parts of the spectrum totally missing, which is why I believe cameras have trouble filming led tanks, even when turned down the blue peaks are too high.

[@pepedelatorrenavas3001]

One of your best videos ever!! Very informative and helpfull.

[@弘茂電子]

Thank you very much for making this series of videos. I have developed spectrometers for more than 15 years in the past, but I have some questions and hope to discuss with you. Do you know why the measured spectrum in the video is so different from the spectrum published by ATI? This is because the spectrometer used is different. The optical resolution of the spectrometer used in the video is about 12nm, and I guess the spectrometer used by ATI should be a laboratory-level scanning spectrometer, and its optical resolution is about 0.1nm. The peak of the spectrum in the video is actually the excitation spectrum of mercury. They should be 404nm, 425nm, 507nm, 546nm, 576nm. The width of this excitation spectrum is very small, almost less than 0.1nm. They are absolutely accurate, but very weak. You can’t take them as important, you should even ignore them. The excitation spectrum looks very strong on your spectrometer, because your spectrometer resolution is 12nm, it will treat all 0.1nm wide spectrum as 12nm. It may be wrong. Perhaps using ATI's spectrum and ignoring the excitation spectrum to compare with LEDs would be more accurate.

[@maceysdaddy5150]

Great video!!! I have the Aquatic Life hybrid from you guys. I have 2 blue+ and 2 actinic to go with a radion G4. Would love a hybrid episode on LED settings to go with T5 hybrid lights.

[@AquaSplendor]

Ive made one but with G5 blue and the pro if your curious

[@alexs7323]

Thank you, this is awesome. I waited for a T5-bulb comparison like this forever.

[@AlphaOmega-vr8ee]

Great video again. Yet still no mention of the Reefleds from Redsea.

[@BRStv]

We are working on an episode for them but I bet it’s a month out

[@AlphaOmega-vr8ee]

Bulk Reef Supply I meant when Randy or Ryan mention possible LEDs, they never mention Redsea. Just think it’s odd. Keep up the great vids guys! 👍🏻

[@mbsurfer04]

@@AlphaOmega-vr8ee it’s because they are the most overrated thing since lebron James. They don’t work with certain WiFi routers, aren’t truly full spectrum. I had 2 90s on my 75 and the 50 on my biocube. They are actually made by AI, and are definitely a downgrade from the primes

[@cache8207]

Quite the Saturday morning cartoon hanger there Randy! Tune in next week same reef time, same reef channel.....

[@Daemiex]

ive never left t5, my ati sunpower dimmable unit keeps on going and going, looking bit rusty now but still working well, nothing better than a bit of refraction for them sps

[@ReeferDave]

Glad to see some T5 love. I have a 6 bulb ATI and an Orphek bar. About 2 months before I replace my bulbs and want to see what you recommend. 😁

[@BRStv]

I'll give you a little secret sneak peak into next week's ATI Sunpower video... (B+, B+, C+, Actinic, B+, B+) ;)

[@ReeferDave]

@@BRStv 👍I'll only have to change a purple bulb to an actinic. Thanks!

[@batusirip8715]

awesome and really helpful videos , thank you brs family , i am going to make my second lighting fixture with t5s

[@sebaseven]

cool that you did an episode about fluorescent lamps. many aquarists are still using them. thank you 👍 I love your channel😍 , Greetings from Poland🇵🇱

[@BRStv]

Thanks for watching!

[@themagicsquid4592]

This video was super helpful! But what would you recommend for a standalone bulb?

[@BRStv]

If you told us that we had to run T5's, but could only run one bulb, it would have to be the blue plus. The ATI blue plus bulb is the closest to the perfect spectrum for coral health and growth. Granted, the tank will look a bit more blue than what you're probably aiming for, aesthetically.

[@themagicsquid4592]

@@BRStv Thankyou so much!!!

[@GazuntaiWorld]

I have 2x Orphek Atlantik v4. What would you recommend as a setting for each of the 4 channels to achieve the best T5 equivalent for SPS growth?

[@SDot-dp9xm]

I think they are the closest to matches spectrum

[@GazuntaiWorld]

S. Dot they are awesome. Would like to know what BRS think in terms of channel settings.

[@BRStv]

I think the combo we came up with in this video is going to get you pretty darn close. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6Wbfn6Bmchqr80

[@GazuntaiWorld]

Bulk Reef Supply thanks guys. The setting at 100% for CH1 makes it too “yellow “ for me. I will need a PAR meter to get true readings instead of just going with what my poor eyes tell me 🤗

[@ShawnComposer]

I know you guys did a review on the black box, but could you test specifically the mars aqua 165w? They are UL listed, unlike the other brands. And If it is still(or is at all) super-focused light, then does a defuser fix that issue?

[@gadamwoll]

Ever try take par readings in the ocean on reef?

[@nickcortese990]

Blue Bulbs for the WIN just turn the cool white up to your liking. Thanks Guys

[@Vrow66]

What about running highbred fixtures??

[@discol76]

Great video. Seemed perfectly fine the first time it was up

[@BRStv]

One line of audio didn’t match the image :)

[@discol76]

@@BRStv perfectionists 😁

[@Njwobrien]

Love your channel so much!

[@marcoattard4403]

any recommendation for 8 bulb ati combination ?

[@clintparsons3989]

I want to make green macroalgae "pop" but while producing bright white light?

[@cheekeongng4608]

When is part 2 coming out??? Super excited!!

[@BRStv]

Should be out next Friday! ;)

[@cheekeongng4608]

really appreciate that brs did so much for the reefing community ! Thank you!

[@angry-white-men]

Ah the good old days of t5 and suction cup powerheads

[@PJ-Max-May]

Im confused now. If ATI blue+ bulb is deemed to be best at provide require spectrum. If reefer with multiple bulbs (t5 8 bulbs or hybrid t5 led) mix blue+ blub and other type bulbs or add led blue spectrum. Will that change the total spectrum of light output all together ? Or the spectrum of blue+ is still there and other light bulb just supplement other channels? I guess my question is. Should we be using blue plus bulbs only since it seems to be the best?

[@BRStv]

Focusing on that wide blue spectrum approach is the key here. On it's own the ATI B+ bulb does this very well. I wouldn't say that there is a "best" because nearly every single light for our hobby targets this same 400-500 blue band. As you saw from almost all the bulbs we tested, they each have targeted peaks somewhere in this range. Mixing and matching T5, LEDs, or different T5 bulbs isn't going to drastically change this blue peak, but rather supplement it to varying degrees.

[@karennation3580]

What about using coral plus. The dutch reefer uses that with a geizeman aurora and it look fantastic! So much color pop without the blue hue! Like the tank you show in the beginning of this and all the investigative series what t5 bulbs and leds are you using in that small cube tank?

[@BRStv]

Coral Plus bulbs are a solid choice if you're not a fan of so much blue. The Blue Plus bulbs really do have the best spectrum for coral growth, but there is certainly an aesthetic side of bulb selection too.

[@mikeywikeybikey]

Amazing to see the.different bulbs over the same tank! Thanks. Would it be fair to assume that if you add up the individual par for each bulb, it would be a good predictor over the units overall par? Eg. 6 bulbs at 50 par = 300 par?

[@BRStv]

Depends on the coverage area . We have a episode on this in two weeks :)

[@Mike__B]

@Mr.Moo not quite, 50 PAR was the location right under the bulb, off center 3 inches would be slightly lower PAR, then 3 inches further from that even more lower, well that represents what would go on with multiple lamps that were say 3 inches from each other. They absolutely do add up (kinda), but each lamp's representation is going to be different for each spot. As an extreme case example to show this off, if you had 2 bulbs, each 50 par, but then separate them by a distance of 6 feet, you'd hardly expect the same PAR contribution from both bulbs everywhere in between that area.

[@ExopMan]

'What makes this light good? Secret: WE THINK IT'S THE LIGHT'

[@nickgoldman6522]

Which video has the recommended bulb mix list?

[@BRStv]

Coming next Friday! :)

[@nickgoldman6522]

Can't wait, Thank You!!!

[@RogueAquariums]

I’m running the ATI blue/coral plus combined with the Reefbrite XHO and like the results 👌

[@BRStv]

I just tested this combo yesterday to see where the XHO fills in that blue spectrum...results are exactly what you think. The T5's wind up with a peak around 440 and that XHO brings in a supplemental spike in that 455-460 range. Solid combo if you ask me!

[@Jornfromtjorn]

Will you make a video of ATI straton LED?

[@BRStv]

I wouldn't be surprised if you see that in the near future 🙂

[@Jornfromtjorn]

@@BRStv nice, it's between that or philips coralcare gen2

[@malinoisnation9392]

Check out the reefbrite killer quanta leds

[@larssloth6220]

Greate video. How about a in depth rewiev of the GHL Mitras LX 7200 Series. One of the best led light in my opinion.

[@raisethereef]

BRS doesn't carry that light. So you won't see a video on it

[@Nick-Magi]

Next video is about radions. Can you link to the actual video re t5 combos.

[@BRStv]

The next part in this series will be uploaded to this playlist soon! :)

[@turbocpt1]

in a quad, using 3 ati blue+ and one actinic. Just so damn awesome, to me, LED's are not as cool as they might be priced.

[@MegaFreefood]

Why can I not share the video? Top right menu will not let me share it

[@anthonyrodriguez2570]

Cool it for reuploaded! What was wrong with the first one?

[@BRStv]

One line of audio didn’t match the image :)

[@Mike__B]

So what's with the ATi lighting information for literally every bulb where they all have that abnormally large spike somewhere in the blue. Does your meter not pick that up? Or was that simply something ATi sensor just picked up with every single bulb, I ask because it makes all the blue area not look as impressive.

[@AquaSplendor]

Interesting comments, would love to know

[@DKfir-re5ec]

Hi BRS team. I have Hydra 32 , can you please send me your complete spectrum schedule, something that I can download and running with my AI application? Thanks.

[@BRStv]

We don't have anything available for download, but you can find our recommended spectrum settings in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nILCYqyHnrN8msU

[@rustyshackleford7288]

L.e.d.s can be great. But it isn't there yet. Greed is in the way. They need wider spectrum and decent parts. Bulbs of any kind is only thing that compares to sun light. L.e.d.s are great mixed in.

[@trureef2319]

4:49. I’m replacing my ati blue+ for Gieseman AB. Scratch that I knew it was a reason I chose what I got. Thanks BRS.

[@dc110770]

Where the next episode in this series please?

[@BRStv]

Should be out next Friday! :)

[@dc110770]

Bulk Reef Supply look forward to it

[@dannycrouch9545]

You do realise the reason they have similar graphs is that they are all made by narva and just branded by the aquarium companies. Red sea also uses narva bulbs.

[@raisethereef]

Pretty sure one of them is Sylvania. I think it's Giesemann. ATI and KZ use the same manufacturer but have different mixtures

[@drdurso3114]

Coral propagationists are using intense blue+ light spectums as photonic force-feeding to render corals little more than aquatic foie gras. Just my opinion. I hope to God this isn't harming the fish living in this environment. Has anyone studied this? I'm not a reefer but used to have a thriving mixed community back in the 80s. I'm a retired biomedical engineer. PS, LED light flickering at an ~11 Hz rate can trigger seizures if you're epileptic. Yes, they flicker and not at an 11 Hz rate, but you must consider the beat note resulting from the mxing of the flickering LEDs. I'd suggest ridding your entire home of all LEDs and going back to incandescent. You'll find yourself oddly calm. lol. Interesting video guys!

[@AquaSplendor]

Nice to bring that up, i have the same concerns but with sound vibration of pump. I know kessil work their light slightly differently to avoid flicker for camera

[@cache8207]

Aqua Splendor never thought about that before... being that Dicon is a filming company. I wonder how they got around the flicker. Some of my older ufo led fixtures had a noticeable flicker when filming the tank. Not to be confused with shimmer.

[@jestronixhanderson9898]

Plasma LEP , no flicker :) constant light source :)

[@absolutecarrot4191]

Mabey my next tank will use t5s

[@XMRNYC]

You just can't go wrong with the gold standard.

[@pedrovfg]

It wasn't T5 it was T8 ✌

[@hishamebrahim524]

So now what 😳 i take off my Hydra32 & take t5s😅😅 or what

[@BRStv]

If you're not getting the spectrum or coverage you think you should be getting, you can always consider supplementing your LED's with T5s.

[@hishamebrahim524]

@@BRStv some corals getting good coverage but some not & also not sure how to do t5s with my 3 hd32? Which Which one i buy & what lens % ? I put if that? & same high at 13" to 14" ?need your guide or take full 8 bulbs Sunpower ati better? My tank 4x2x2... hydras will go to my other tank if that ..

[@leonkoopmansdutchsyntheticreef]

Still t5 best there is.