How effective is MH + T5 light units?

[o2bubble]

Hi bros, I just got my pure mh (no T5) sets and quite satisfied with the results immediately. The difference with T5 is remarkable!

However, I have been reading ADA book that features MH + PL grand solar set that says that turning on PL before and after (2 hours e.g.) MH (6-8 hours) can help to simulate sunrise and sunset and helps to create a natural daylight setting since strong light occurs 4 hours before and after noon and for rest of day, light just reflects from the water surface.

There are many MH sets equipped with MH and T5 and can be controlled independently. Any bro has used such a setting (as mentioned above) and care to comment the effectiveness? will the lower lights simulate Algae instead?

[valice]

With additional T5/FL/PL, the lighting is "soften", as lights from MH is very much harsher than those created by fluorescent (T5/PL/FL) lighting.

For effectiveness what exactly are you looking for?
Personally, I will be using a T5+MH combination fixture for my 3ft. The main advantage I see, is that I can use just the T5 when I do tank maintenance and also cut back a little on the electrical bills.

Your "simulate" is referring to "stimulate"?

Lighting is just a component of the "holy trinity". So high lights, just need to keep up with the other two components.

In the ADA system, if you have good plant growth, natural bacteria (in the substrate, in the filter, in the water column) all stable, algae is not much an issue.

[o2bubble]

ah.. effectiveness as in whether it can provide better plants growth as compare to just using MH only.

[valice]

Think this is difficult to quantify.