LEDs, T5s or HALIDES

[trido]

Are you having issues with what I call naked undersides on any of your SPS ?



Also, what units do you run ?

Thanks
-B

When I switched from a whole tank covering DIY unit to the more compact factory built fixture I did notice loss of color on some of my coral in the shaded areas. For the power savings and lack of bulb replacement its worth the trade off. My corals are not Naked, but definitely have less color. There are definitely some negetives to LED's compared to MH but there are also some positives.

 

[3lusive]

I heard that the white light burns the corals so you need to keep them turned down?? Also do out have red or green also?? If so what percent do you run those at?

Any light can fry coral if its not used properly.

 

[ReefCartel]

This is mine

Nice tank man! Im gettin excited ready to rebuild! lol

 

[Gwitness]

haha yeah I agree, but I have had these radions for over a year and my corals are not bleaching or anything at all and I have my peak percent going up to 85%, but I have always keep my reds and greens at like 30% or lower and whites never go over 60% just because of what people have told me in the past....."red and green hurt coral or increase bad algae growth" and "whites burn coral easier than any other color" I have just heard this stuff and just trying to debunk the myth I guess or find out that it's true

 

[trido]

Just out of curiosity have you taken any PAR readings ?

I've seen Very good reviews on the Evergrow units, but I've never got to play with one.

I havent taken any PAR readings but when I get a chance with a LUX meter I surely will. My fixtures are custom tuned by my LFS with two colors of white, two colors of blue, UV , red and green. I paid more than if I had bought them on E-bay specifically for the emitter configuration that these fixtures have. I also have an extended LFS warranty on them.

Thanks for the compliments folks. I was not trying to create another debate thread but only show the OP that there are plenty of options. I still have three MH fixtures in my garage "just in case" and they are absolutely a proven way of growing corals just like T-5's. Ive used all three over the last eight years in this hobby and have set up a couple client tanks with all but LED's.

 

[3lusive]

haha yeah I agree, but I have had these radions for over a year and my corals are not bleaching or anything at all and I have my peak percent going up to 85%, but I have always keep my reds and greens at like 30% or lower and whites never go over 60% just because of what people have told me in the past....."red and green hurt coral or increase bad algae growth" and "whites burn coral easier than any other color" I have just heard this stuff and just trying to debunk the myth I guess or find out that it's true

with LED you have to pay close attention to your optics. Obviously the smaller the number the tighter the beam, so it is easy to fry coral with LED's. That can be with any color. Another problem is people expect LED's to be just as bright to the eye as T5 or MH so they crank them up to make that happen , and fry coral. Reds do promote algae growth , but it takes alot of it, so dont worry too much about that one unless you have algae issues already due to nutrient issues.

 

[Gwitness]

okay good to know! I don't know a THING about optics!! I have the Gen 2 radions with wide angle lens.....I think those have a tight beam on it, so that is why I got the 120 degree lens just so it spreads out the par more instead of being ridiculous right under the clusters!

 

[jordan banks]

I have halide on both my tanks. 150 watt on my 24/ 250 watt on my 29 gallon. I won't switch back.

 

[ritter6788]

All 3 have there pros and cons...Ill take a 3 some combo if possiable

+1.

Anyone still arguing that corals (including sps) are going to die or not grow/color under LEDs living are living under a rock. The argument is old and not valid anymore. All 3 are good lighting choices for coral.

 

[trido]

with LED you have to pay close attention to your optics. Obviously the smaller the number the tighter the beam, so it is easy to fry coral with LED's. That can be with any color. Another problem is people expect LED's to be just as bright to the eye as T5 or MH so they crank them up to make that happen , and fry coral. Reds do promote algae growth , but it takes alot of it, so dont worry too much about that one unless you have algae issues already due to nutrient issues.

Good info here.....................I actually hung my fixtures higher (16") for two reasons. A wider spread so I have less dark areas in the tank, and I can run them at a little higher % to make the tank brighter.

 

[ReefCartel]

Good info here.....................I actually hung my fixtures higher (16") for two reasons. A wider spread so I have less dark areas in the tank, and I can run them at a little higher % to make the tank brighter.

I concur, great info man.

 

[ReefCartel]

Wow. Fishneedit does have some great sales right now. Nearly 50% off on most Halides and T5s

 

[jordan banks]

I have the fishneedit 250 watt fixture and love it

 

[3lusive]

The only thing I used were the housings. I stripped them and used all ATI internals.

 

[ReefCartel]

Thats awesome. Did you post a write up on it? i wanna check that out.

 

[3lusive]

Unfortunately no I didnt.

I might be able to snap some pics for you though, what would you like to see ?

 

[ReefCartel]

Unfortunately no I didnt.

I might be able to snap some pics for you though, what would you like to see ?

Most def. We would appreciate that. No rush. Whenever you get to it, that would be cool.

 

[3lusive]

cool , I might be able to get something for you over the upcoming weekend.

 

[ReefCartel]

Thanks 3lusive