LEDs, T5s or HALIDES

ReefCartel · Jun 6, 2014

I know this has always been a big controversy in the reef community and I know everyone has their own preference from price to looks...But which is the best for corals? Growth and Health wise? has any of you well experienced Reefers own all of these lights and compared the differences? Pros and cons? What is the closest to actual sunlight?

StikHedRon · Jun 8, 2014

Go with all three and you'll be really happy, MH and T5s to drive the growth then the LED's for that pop.

pirate2876 · Jun 8, 2014

ronhaskovec said:
Go with all three and you'll be really happy, MH and T5s to drive the growth then the LED's for that pop.

That's what I did.

ReefTankRebel · Jun 8, 2014

Without a doubt its Metal Halide. T5 just behind. And LED last waayy back ther lol. Don't get me wrong I was on the LED bandwagon to. Bought 1000$ Top of the line leds, AI Vega Colors. and color amazing, function ability amazing, some corals can sustain growth or maybe slowly grow. No corals really Thrive like they do under Halides of T5. Sold the Vegas after my corals died, lost color it was always something. Took over half a grand loss but lessoned learned. Stick With What IS Known to Work Halide or T5.

3lusive · Jun 8, 2014

I think it really depends on the type of tank you are running. Zoas , LPS, and SOME lower light demanding SPS seem to do extremely well under just LED alone. the higher end , more finicky (is that even a word) stuff seems to fair MUCH better under the halides or T5. My personal experience with LED only setups with SPS is that you really only have growth on sides facing the light , so if you have a branch that is shaded be prepared to have a naked branch that pretty much does nothing. My Zoas, and LPS on the other hand have never looked better. Those results mentioned were with 2 AI Vega Colors over a 48x20x21. I have since moved to a new house , had a disasterous tank crash after the move, and have started the tank over running a LED/T5 hybrid from Nano Box. The color so far has been great, but I havent had it up running long enough to report on an growth. I personally feel that LED can work alone in some applications, but that it MUST be supplemented in others.

I hope that helps.
-B

quick shot of my setup

Reefing Madness · Jun 8, 2014

The absolute best would be Halides. ALot of LED people out there have gone back to the old tried and true lighting of Metal Halides, but with it comes bulb replacement and heat on the system. But they can't be beat.

StikHedRon · Jun 8, 2014

Yeah, I agree, you do need to decide what type of tank your wanting. Led's do great for some corals but Halides and T5's just do it all! I was also on the LED bandwagon then realized that my sps tank looked like doo doo so I said..... I'll take my hit and go with whats tried and true and I'm so much happier now with my sps growth and color.

Gwitness · Jun 8, 2014

I have 3 Radion and I have been debating on selling them and going with the ATI 8 bulb fixture.....I've had the same complaints and concerns about my acros....really starting to give some hard thought about T5s now

ReefCartel · Jun 8, 2014

Thank you for all the great responses. I will try all 3. (I feel my pockets hurting already) lol So far I heard a lot of good reviews on ATI T5s Supplemented with LEDs. Still looking for what Halides are good. Would it be overkill for a 60 gallon long and a 40 shallow?

Reefing Madness · Jun 8, 2014

2 250w Halides would do over those tanks.
Phoenix 14k lamps

3lusive · Jun 8, 2014

I am running 4x54w ATI with dimming ATI ballasts in the pic above. LEDs are all luxeon Rebels with semi-led uv

ReefCartel · Jun 8, 2014

Any preference on where to buy? any good online retailers for a reasonable price?

ReefCartel · Jun 8, 2014

I was thinking since im using Kessils right now i can add T5s and the Kessil would supplement right?

3lusive · Jun 8, 2014

That is definitely a possibility. I got the ballasts from reef geek , fixtures are cheap fishneedit (sale going now to I believe) bulbs are from local shop.

ReefCartel · Jun 8, 2014

3lusive said:
That is definitely a possibility. I got the ballasts from reef geek , fixtures are cheap fishneedit (sale going now to I believe) bulbs are from local shop.

+1 Im on it. Thanks bud

nickg · Jun 8, 2014

I have them all. Just took the halides of 3 months ago. And they will be going back up in a month it appears. I wanted to do a true 4 month comparison.

ReefCartel · Jun 8, 2014

nickg said:
I have them all. Just took the halides of 3 months ago. And they will be going back up in a month it appears. I wanted to do a true 4 month comparison.

Im following along. Can you share your progress on how that goes?

Gwitness · Jun 8, 2014

Is it true that the radions or LEDs period, affect sps by not hitting every part of the coral?? Therefore leaving it to not color up or not to grow on the entire coral? Or is there no negative affects with LEDs and SPs? Just curious because I have Radions with wide lens and a bunch of acros that are doing good but not great

3lusive · Jun 8, 2014

Gwitness said:
Is it true that the radions or LEDs period, affect sps by not hitting every part of the coral?? Therefore leaving it to not color up or not to grow on the entire coral? Or is there no negative affects with LEDs and SPs? Just curious because I have Radions with wide lens and a bunch of acros that are doing good but not great

IME it is 100% true. What I was noticing is that only the top side (side facing light) was growing / coloring up. the underside of branches, or anything shaded would be smooth skinned, and very dull.