Back to T5's for this guy...

StikHedRon · Mar 31, 2014

Yeah, I was new to the hobby 2 years ago and all the hype was LED's this LED's that, so I jumped on the band wagon. Then realized that after a year in that my SPS dominant tank was coloring up well under the LED's so I switched to a MH/T5 fixture and couldn't be happier. I will never run just LED's on my tank again!

Mr. D · Mar 31, 2014

I came from t5s originally and I really liked them too. Since then I've owned some of the economical options for leds. I recently purchased a Kessil a360WE and couldn't be happier. The coloration is probably the same if not a tad better than when I had t5s. The shading I'd love to fix in spots, but that will be another fight with the wife another day lol.

Railcar79 · Mar 31, 2014

Myself, I am hesitant to try leds. Some people see great results, some don't, with the price if leds, and the terrible resale in aquatic equipment, I am happy t5. Till leds get to the point t5 and mh are at, I just can't see a reason to leave proven tech for lights that change daily.

FLipp · Mar 31, 2014

T5 is the way to go.

nola90 · Mar 31, 2014

A local guy had set up a new tank and ran a 6 bulb T5 fixture and switched to the reefbreeders photon 48 and he couldn't be any happier. Lower electricity bill, not having to replace any bulbs, and he got a good deal on the fixtures. He likes the colors more than what the t5s were doing for him as well.

I honestly think its a tank to tank basis. My brother's tank is up and down with LEDs. My tank is perfectly pristine with LEDs with great growth and color. There are spots and places I can't put certain corals because the amount of light is just too much, but overall I couldn't be any happier.

I do hope it goes well for you though!

nova65ss · Mar 31, 2014

T5 with leds for that pop best of both world's! I just upgraded to the Ati hybrid and couldn't be happier. Before that I had a sunpower with reefbrite and it was awesome too.

I have a vega on my office nano and my zoas and lps look amazing but the acros are either pale or all green.

I think if you are going to run leds you will need to supplement by using t5s to prevent shadowing and paling on the underside of the acros.

TJ's Reef · Mar 31, 2014

I do respect some of the above poster's comments and or opinions but it's definitely getting deep enough to need hip boots on reading others. Facts are that photons are photons and does not matter the source, though LED's give us the capability to very accurately create precise blends of needed/wanted spectrum far better than either of other options. Back to my earlier comments stating that most all issues regarding LED's are due to lack of understanding even though all the needed information is easily accessible through this Forum and others. If LED fixture is labeled as a replacement for a 400w MH and you run it at a 100% or close to above a 40B and burn your Corals is this really a fault in the lighting...... NO! But most definitely a fault/failure with the operator. As for 'Full/Broad Spectrum' fixtures go there are several available that are at par (pun intended) or better than most brand new MH Lamps or T5 combo's but will not radically degrade in just 9-12 months. The 'RED' article was very limited and lacking in real life application, and for your information there is more Red spectrum in most MH and T5 setups. The one thing I did find very interesting and useful was their theory on Red Radiation possibly being a measuring tool for Coral to determine overall light intensity and adjust their photosynthetic cycle with.

We're all entitled to our own opinions and most definitely state mine frequently but wish we could get away from all this misinformation and hearsay on LED's in general as makes it very difficult for the people who really are interested in learning useful and factual information about them.

Lastly, really need to get Chris over to my place and Duane's; (trido) to see in person what LED's done correctly really is like.

Cheers, Todd

Dashiki · Mar 31, 2014

I went from radion pro to an 8 bulb ati hybrid

I love the light and my corals are growing better. The t5 also fill the tank with light and remove shadows I had from the led being too directional of a light.

But do whatever works best for you.

nova65ss · Mar 31, 2014

I think one of the drawbacks to leds is the amount of control ability. Not everyone has a par meter or understands in depth where the settings should be I know I don't..... I have had my vega about a year and a half and I think I finally have it dialed in pretty well. I would adjust let it run a few months adjust some more still poor results not everyone is probably that patient.

Buy a t5 hang it and forget it move on to something else....

zwulfke · Mar 31, 2014

nova65ss said:
I think one of the drawbacks to leds is the amount of control ability. Not everyone has a par meter or understands in depth where the settings should be I know I don't..... I have had my vega about a year and a half and I think I finally have it dialed in pretty well. I would adjust let it run a few months adjust some more still poor results not everyone is probably that patient.

Buy a t5 hang it and forget it move on to something else....

It is a personal preface but, its also like a salt water tank it would be easier to dump it and go fresh and forget it. some thinks need time and attention to get just right

nova65ss · Mar 31, 2014

zwulfke said:
It is a personal preface but, its also like a salt water tank it would be easier to dump it and go fresh and forget it. some thinks need time and attention to get just right

I see where you're coming from but for me lights aren't something I want to drop a load of cash on and then "figure out". Especially if I had thousands in livestock to worry about. There is a reason these posts pop up daily on the forums regarding leds.

zwulfke · Mar 31, 2014

I can see that and understand the side of caution for me I did a ton of research and only dumped 300 on a fixture that I deemed to be a
good choice. I will know better when I get it and set it up. For me I have a few hundred in fish and coral so it would not be a huge loss. Also I have done the research and I am confident on success. I still stand by it is a matter of making yourself happy with the choice in lighting

NanaReefer · Mar 31, 2014

Let us not forget the "going green factor"

No more buying bulbs for a while, less energy consumed, no T5 disposal charges, less heat transfer, lower running costs and less evaporation, less water being used for top off.

skinz78 · Mar 31, 2014

Some pic's under my T5's.

nova65ss · Mar 31, 2014

NanaReefer said:
Let us not forget the "going green factor" No more buying bulbs for a while, less energy consumed, no T5 disposal charges, less heat transfer, lower running costs and less evaporation, less water being used for top off.

Realistically I do not see a cost savings. The average t5 is probably 6 bulbs at 20 each that is 120 per year in bulbs. It would take three years to recoup the cost of a 3-400 dollar fixture. As I see it the fixtures being made today with technology will be getting replaced in less time than that costing another 3-400. Not even to mention the average amount of time someone stays in this hobby is probably about 3 years.

Energy savings is next to nothing.

skinz78 · Mar 31, 2014

I actually welcome the evaporation although I don't see any more now then I did with the LED's. I manually dose 2 part in my tank so evap is a good thing for me.