Halide vs. LED vs. T5! Which do you prefer and why?

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

It's an endless debate, but let's discuss this again anyway. Do you prefer halides, LED's, T5's, or a combination of 1, 2, or even all 3? What are the pros and cons of each? Why do you use what you do? Why DON'T you like the others? Be sure to vote in the poll and weigh in with your thoughts.

 

[DaveMorris]

I am a huge fan of halides. Phoenix 14k to be specific. I have augmented mine with a StevesLEDs.com DIY kit with daylight, UV, and blue LEDs.

 

[saltylife]

I'm running 3 x 250 watt xm 20k and 3 China leds over my 220. For almost two years I ran just LEDs but with my particular leds didn't get the best colors in the coral so I added the halides back and couldn't be happier with it.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I'm running 3 x 250 watt xm 20k and 3 China leds over my 220. For almost two years I ran just LEDs but with my particular leds didn't get the best colors in the coral so I added the halides back and couldn't be happier with it.

Sweet! Thanks for posting a pic of your tank, too! I hope others who weigh in to this conversation will post pics of their tanks as well!

 

[DaveMorris]

Here is my tank under Phoenix 14k and LED supplements:

 

[Bps619]

Im new to reefing with three months into my 60 gallon tank. I'm running 2 AI Hydra 26's and so they are doing a killer job. The LEDs don't get that hot and my SPS frags are growing.

 

[760mason]

If I could afford the electric bill Halides with LED's..best of both worlds. I had to switch to 100% LED when I had my first kid. Halide + chiller = $250 + a month electric bill. No chiller smaller tank and LED's brought my bill down to $140. I did what I could to keep a tank in the house.

 

[JDM213]

I am a big fan of t5s i tried LEDs but went back to t5

 

[jackson6745]

400w 20k Radium, 4 T5's, and 2 blue LED reefbrites running on my system. I can honestly say that I have the best lighting available in reef keeping (far from most expensive). Spectrum, intensity, and coverage is excellent. Running a single halide over a large cube is surprisingly efficient as well.

Not the best pic but you can get an idea of coverage and the bright appearance.
IMG_0859 by rich.colombo, on Flickr

 

[SamsReef]

Have gone from all halides to all LEDs to now a combo with metal halide, T5 and LED to supplement actinics. I am getting true colors and several corals who were dormant have really taken off.

 

[wandoshane]

led/t5

I have had all of them and am currently running radions but am thinking about adding t5 for actinics. MH is not an option for me.

 

[Koranangel32]

I was hoping someone could help me I'm new to this hobby I have a t5 light set up that I got from a friend it has 4 bulbs any suggestions on what I should have in it right now only fish in tank and one dunkin which has grown 3 heads since I had it. Any help would be nice

 

[pirate2876]

Just switched to 10k halides from 14K. 2 36" T5's and a truelumen pro Actinic strip.

 

[RDjoeSD]

I ran a 400W Radium 20k over my 36x36x20 112g. I agree with it being just amazing!

400w 20k Radium, 4 T5's, and 2 blue LED reefbrites running on my system. I can honestly say that I have the best lighting available in reef keeping (far from most expensive). Spectrum, intensity, and coverage is excellent. Running a single halide over a large cube is surprisingly efficient as well.

Not the best pic but you can get an idea of coverage and the bright appearance.
IMG_0859 by rich.colombo, on Flickr

 

[tonymission]

400w 20k Radium, 4 T5's, and 2 blue LED reefbrites running on my system. I can honestly say that I have the best lighting available in reef keeping (far from most expensive). Spectrum, intensity, and coverage is excellent. Running a single halide over a large cube is surprisingly efficient as well.

Not the best pic but you can get an idea of coverage and the bright appearance.
IMG_0859 by rich.colombo, on Flickr

What fixture is that?

Here's my 90g under Phoenix 14k / 4 ati t5s and I run an 80g frag tank under radiums only.

We are setting up a 30g softie tank for my wife which we'll run a radion on since she doesn't want a chiller in the living room.

 

[ReeferEric]

I'm a T5 user, but the frag tank with very little LED is changing my mind a little. Frag tank is T5 powered as well with royal blues at 10%.

 

[Koranangel32]

Nice thanks

 

[ReeferRookie]

Led. Why ? The color options. The different lights u can get from a simple switch of a button

 

[RDjoeSD]

S. Filigoi it looks like

 

[Acro]

Two radions with supplemental t5s. Not a fan of the white leds just yet.