lighting dominate sps system

[plattekees]

wanted to start up my tank but my giesmann T5 fixure lets me down so I need some new lighting. wondering what everyone would prefer. t5 or led? what is the best in your minds?

 

[Oldreefer44]

There are very few topics that will get responses more than "what lights are best". Most responses will be from people wanting to validate what they have. IMO, there is no "best" light. Halides, T5's and LEDS and combinations of them all work. just a matter of preference.

 

[kenchilada]

T5 with LED supplement for me.

 

[kenchilada]

IMO, there is no "best" light. Halides, T5's and LEDS and combinations of them all work. just a matter of preference.

Oh if he wants "best", then halides

 

[A Young Reefer]

All of them work tanks can speak for their selves. If it was up to me I would have a t5 x led hybrid. I run leds btw.

 

[jmichaelh7]

My first couple of years i grew SPS with LED. At the very end before i broke my tank down i converted to T5 with LED using a hybrid mount which i'm currently using on my new setup. You get best of both worlds. Throw in some small fans to keep the heat down and you will be good to go!

Of course Metal halides have a good reputation in the hobby

 

[moz71]

Your are asking the question that the responses never end nor confirm! lol good luck!

 

[jmichaelh7]

I would go with Ecotech or Aqua Illumination

 

[X-37B]

I have run them all and they all work if you know what your doing.
With that I do not run T5's anymore. The OR3 light bars are equal to 2 T5's and are high quality, imo.
Currently I run halides, OR3 bars, AI prime's, and a black box led, on my systems.

 

[GarrettT]

The OR3 light bars are equal to 2 T5's and are high quality, imo.

Agreed. Much prefer Sky blue over the blue plus.

 

[X-37B]

Agreed. Much prefer Sky blue over the blue plus.

I have one of each. The sky blue is brighter. They were not available when I bought the blue plus.

 

[rtparty]

Your setup will determine what is best for you. What is the best artificial light available? Halides, then T5s, then LEDs.

 

[plattekees]

I have run them all and they all work if you know what your doing.
With that I do not run T5's anymore. The OR3 light bars are equal to 2 T5's and are high quality, imo.
Currently I run halides, OR3 bars, AI prime's, and a black box led, on my systems.

orphek is hard to get in belgium.

 

[plattekees]

i'm thinking off either the coral care's or the ati hybride.

 

[X-37B]

orphek is hard to get in belgium.

Hmm. You cant order them direct from China? Thats what I did.

 

[Jekyl]

Halides or T5 get the best reviews. Just look at the countless "what settings are you using" posts for LED. You never hear people with halide or T5 wondering if their lights are good enough.

 

[Hugster78]

I switched to T5 with OR3 Blue Plus and have never looked back. SPS growth exploded compared to led only.

 

[ScottB]

i'm thinking off either the coral care's or the ati hybride.

If you are thinking about the coral cares, then look into the Stratons. I run 3 over a 525 liter to avoid shading. Over my basement frag systems, it is all T5 and LED hybrids.

"best" over my systems is hybrid from both performance and value perspectives.

 

[jerl77]

t5 for 10 years

 

[Hugster78]

t5 for 10 years

What combo you running