LED vs MH/T5

[Rjedreski]

Hello
Currently running an 80 gallon reef tank with wide variety of SPS that I consider successful and
Ran out of space to add coral & fish ,so I'm starting a new 190 gallon (60x27x27) with the theme
Being Acropra . I'm currently running the Radion gen 3 Pros and Ecco smart which works very nicely I must admit but for my new build I'm considering trying 400 w radiums / T5s as I've read a number of posts of reefers going back to MH for better SPS growth etc. . My question is what would you recommend for a high octane Acropra reef tank?
I'm tabling the energy / bulb replacement costs as I'm not using that in the equation yet.
Thanks
Rob

 

[Rjedreski]

Hello
Currently running an 80 gallon reef tank with wide variety of SPS that I consider successful and
Ran out of space to add coral & fish ,so I'm starting a new 190 gallon (60x27x27) with the theme
Being Acropra . I'm currently running the Radion gen 3 Pros and Ecco smart which works very nicely I must admit but for my new build I'm considering trying 400 w radiums / T5s as I've read a number of posts of reefers going back to MH for better SPS growth etc. . My question is what would you recommend for a high octane Acropra reef tank?
I'm tabling the energy / bulb replacement costs as I'm not using that in the equation yet.
Thanks
Rob

Whoops I misspelled Acropora !

 

[FoD]

I would recommend MH/T5 with some LED actinic supplementation. ReefBrite seems to be popular pick for MH users. I went with Kessils for my actinic supplements.

Radions will grow Acros just fine, don't get me wrong. But Halides do it better. Period. If you already have the Radions, keep them and add more. I'd run 4 for that footprint, and I've always been a fan of adding a 2x54w or 4x54w T5 retro kit for spectrum fill with LEDs.

 

[Rjedreski]

Thanks good thought on T5 supplement , do you feel it penetrates better or less shadowing ?
On the halide what do you think , 400w vs 250w ?
Rob

 

[FoD]

Helps with shadowing.

I'll be running 250w on my 250DD...same depth as yours. I'm also going to do at least 4x54w T5, and 3 Kessil A360's. I will test PAR with the 250's and make the call if that is good or go to 400. My guess is 250 will be plenty.

 

[kstone2274]

Run your Radiums with your Radions together

 

[rovster]

You asked the unanswerable question lol. If you are a hardcore acro purist, Halide is hard to beat, although LED makes an ok compromise. I've got 4 radions and 2 t5 over a 52" tank. They definitely work. My previous tank was radium with kessil actinic. Both tanks look great, radium tank had 10% better color. Growth is about the same.,..

 

[Rjedreski]

Appreciate the feed back ,the consensus is MH & Acros can't go wrong , but
Radions and T5 will work , maybe it's down to light bulb changes, chillers and
Energy consumption ,tough choice !
Once again I appreciate the feedback and choices provided ,great forum
Rob