Help with Lighting - T5/LED Crossroads

BWilliby

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I have spent the past few days reading tons of posts about lighting and my head is spinning! I currently have a 105 gallon tank running a dual T5 fixture and an Orbit Marine LED. Combined they give me 154 watts when the LED is on 100%, which is the majority of the time. This has worked fine so far because I mainly have LPS and zoas, and they have been growing great! I recently added a few "starter" SPS: green slimer, ponape birdsnest, ORA red planet. They have survived at the top of my rockwork, but I haven't really seen a ton of growth. I am sure its because of insufficient lighting. I want to add more SPS so I plan on upgrading my lighting. After all the reading I have done, I am set on sticking with the T5/LED combo. I wanted some opinions on which one I should upgrade. I can get a 6 bulb T5 fixture and keep the Orbit LED for the sunrise/sunset/moonlight features. Or get two of the less expensive LED's (I see Reef Radiance has a great deal on their new programmable light) and keep the dual T5 that I have for fill in light.

Here is an FTS if that helps. I have only been in this hobby for 2 years so I appreciate any input that I can get!

 
I'd go with the 6 T5 combo. The T5 alone should be enough to keep SPS, the LED unit would just be a bonus.
 
I'm a T5 guy but don't get me wrong, LEDs give corals more pop. My frag tank I am running RapidLED Onyx fixtures with 4 bulb T5 retro kit. The main tank is on 6 T5 bulbs.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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