LED vs. T5 opions

JWHITESP88 · Nov 3, 2015

Just bought a deep blue 57 gal rimless edge 36x18x20 that will become a mixed reef. I am looking at lights and cant make a decision between the two. I think I lean more in the way of the LED but am not opposed to a T5 setup. I have been debating between the Kessil and the AI. If I am not mistaken I think you can purchase the AI's without having to purchase the controller, am I correct? I think the Kessil's look great but not sure if I have to purchase a controller separate? How many of each light would I have to buy? I think that is a big question, as I am not sure if I would need 1 or 2 lights. Also if you think that I should go a different direction I would love the hear all of your opinions. Thanks for your help and foresight in advance.

twilliard · Nov 3, 2015

What kind of budget are you looking at?

JWHITESP88 · Nov 3, 2015

I would like to keep it around $400-600 or less if I could.

zzzdiver · Nov 3, 2015

Hydra HD line needs no controller, I use two of them on a 36x24x22

JWHITESP88 · Nov 3, 2015

Did you leave T5 and go to the Hydras's? If so are you happy with the switch? also do you think that I could get away with one fixture or do I have to have 2?

twilliard · Nov 3, 2015

jdwhite807 said:
I would like to keep it around $400-600 or less if I could.

Oh dang so close!
Orphek

JWHITESP88 · Nov 3, 2015

I looked at Orphek but they are a little more than I had in mind. What would be your suggestion on size and how many Hydra HD's I would need? How about kessil?

Rpujol85 · Nov 3, 2015

You could do both.

This definitely what I am going to do, whenever upgrade time comes.

http://nanoboxreef.com/retro.html

Granted, you have to find an old fixture to house this in, or maybe build your own custom enclosure.

knukles55 · Nov 3, 2015

I recently switched from t5 to led. I'm loving it so far went from 6 bulb fixture with led supplement to ocean revive t247. Can't really give my opinion yet as its only been a month now.

JWHITESP88 · Nov 3, 2015

Rpujol85 said:
You could do both. This definitely what I am going to do, whenever upgrade time comes.

http://nanoboxreef.com/retro.html

Granted, you have to find an old fixture to house this in, or maybe build your own custom enclosure.

This looks like a reasonable option. Would this unit be controllable?

rjcranor · Nov 4, 2015

Reef radiance lumentek 240

Jimmyb819 · Nov 4, 2015

I have Kessils and love them. You'll need two 350s or 360s over the tank as each only covers 24". You can run them without a controller and just use the analog knobs to set the color and intensity.

You would need to find them used to stay under budget though.

ifarmer · Nov 5, 2015

knukles55 said:
I recently switched from t5 to led. I'm loving it so far went from 6 bulb fixture with led supplement to ocean revive t247. Can't really give my opinion yet as its only been a month now.

a month is not going tell you anything.
after 6 months then you will see most of your acro will begin to fade in color.

Jimmyb819 · Nov 5, 2015

ifarmer said:
a month is not going tell you anything.
after 6 months then you will see most of your acro will begin to fade in color.

Is that the case with all LEDs? I thought I'd seen some very pretty tanks growing under LEDs. Would they just be that much more colorful with T5s?

ECreefer · Nov 5, 2015

ifarmer said:
a month is not going tell you anything.
after 6 months then you will see most of your acro will begin to fade in color.

People underestimate how powerful LED are, especially any of the higher end ones with lenses on them.

Jimmyb819 said:
Is that the case with all LEDs? I thought I'd seen some very pretty tanks growing under LEDs. Would they just be that much more colorful with T5s?

You can have amazing tanks under anything, it's just easier to burn/over light a tank for LED. I feel like a lot of people turn them up higher to get the same bright look of a t5 or MH and they end up nuking the corals. For blues and uv, those are fine at 80-100% but I wouldn't go over 50% on most white channels. I ran a tank with reef breeders black box led with no lenses, colors were great and had great growth. I switched to t5 because I missed the brightness/even spread they output. I had the led with no lenses right on top of a glass canopy, blues 100%/whites 50%

gar732 · Nov 5, 2015

I'd go with both. I have a hydra 52 and am adding 2 24" t5. LEDs can and will grow coral great and bring out colors that other lighting won't bring out but they will also miss some color in my experience. With a couple t5 builds along with a quality LED fixture it'll give you everything you need.

jackson6745 · Nov 5, 2015

I would go with an ATI t5 fixture. Tank results speak for themselves.

Thle009 · Nov 5, 2015

twilliard said:
Oh dang so close!
Orphek

Which model do you have? And how's your growth?

JWHITESP88 · Nov 5, 2015

jackson6745 said:
I would go with an ATI t5 fixture. Tank results speak for themselves.

The ATI is such a nice looking light. I am really leaning toward it. Would 6 bulb be enough light to have a mixed reef one day? I will be starting with a LPS and softy tank hoping to move my way into some "easier" sps.

jackson6745 · Nov 6, 2015

jdwhite807 said:
The ATI is such a nice looking light. I am really leaning toward it. Would 6 bulb be enough light to have a mixed reef one day? I will be starting with a LPS and softy tank hoping to move my way into some "easier" sps.

The 6 bulb is a lot of light for a 57g tank. More than enough for softies, and sufficient for a full blown SPS tank. What ifarmer says is true, you can have faded colors from t5. Not from too little light, but from intense light with the most even coverage possible. The way to counteract this is to have a well fed and stocked reef. 0 nitrates + 0 phosphates + T5 = faded/pastel colors.