Well based on the post this is a sore subject. People go to LED for a number of reasons, bulb replacement, cooling requirements, energy requirements. T5, Metal Halide, LED are all proven lighting systems that work. The problem with comparing the three systems is quality, reflectors, lens, and the variations of the entire setup. The first time I went into a coral reseller that stated that LEDs do not work and that SPS grow strange they were using the cheap Chinese fixtures about 3 feet above the corals, already knew the problem, was wrong spectrum and lack of par. Another LFS I used a lot all he had was led fixtures to save on cooling and energy. All great high quality fixtures are expensive regardless of light type. Correct spectrum at correct levels is what you should be looking at. The same tank with the same lights can grow coral differently just by putting it into different rooms. Individual LEDs have a narrow spectrum compared to T5 or Halide so it requires a mix of different leds to get the correct spectrum but unless leds with a spectrum that is not needed are added they will never look exactly the same as T5 or Halide. I did a lot of research before I went to LED, I went with Orphek Atlantik V2.1b they can definitely be as bright as halide and give great shimmer. There are a umber of led fixtures that will work but they need to be matched to the size of the tank and the inhabitants. you will not be able to use 2 Radions or 2 Hydra 52 on a display tank 72" x30" x 30" and grow SPS anywhere but if you positioned them right you can grow SPS and LPS. My 2 Orpheks will grow SPS anywhere except a cave and will still grow most LPS. I will never tell somebody that any of these types of lights will not work alone or in combination but I will asked them to pick their tank and what they plan to keep before they make a choice on lighting. Can not grow sps with one T5 if the tank is 36" deep or you can not grow LPS in a 10 gallon tank under 400 watt halide.
