Need help deciding on lighting

[FisheriesOmen]

Ok I'm upgrading my 10g to a 20L and I don't think the LEDs I currently have will be able to transfer over.
I was wondering what would be the best option for cheap but powerful lighting (have SPS) because it seems like LEDs just don't offer strong enough lighting.
I have had 0 experience with Halide lighting so I would need some helpful tips on that front.

Any help would be much appreciated! I don't want to have to re-invest $300 in lighting again (even though I think it's going to come to that).

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

What lights do you have now?

 

[Kev311]

Ok I'm upgrading my 10g to a 20L and I don't think the LEDs I currently have will be able to transfer over.
I was wondering what would be the best option for cheap but powerful lighting (have SPS) because it seems like LEDs just don't offer strong enough lighting.
I have had 0 experience with Halide lighting so I would need some helpful tips on that front.

Any help would be much appreciated! I don't want to have to re-invest $300 in lighting again (even though I think it's going to come to that).

I'm guessing you meant 20g, I would go with t5's and some ati bulbs

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[FisheriesOmen]

I'm guessing you meant 20g, I would go with t5's and some ati bulbs

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Well 20L meaning a 20 long not a 20 liter

looks like right now its a tie between LED and fluorescent

 

[Dave3112]

T5 without question. I agree with the above poster about ATI bulbs too

 

[Pkunk35]

I really like LED lighting for small tanks (I have a 20 gal long mixed reef), think they are perfect for them b/c of the small foot print and huge reduction in heat from the fixture.

I don't have a wide range of experience for LED, but I currently have a Kessil A350W over my tank and I have been very successful with SPS since switching the light couple of months ago (This is FaviaFreak's thread on his kessil: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/led-lighting-specific/91163-kessil-a350-3.html)

Also, I believe there are some really well priced LED fixtures from the sponsors here on R2R that I think could grow SPS.

T5s are awesome but if sinking cost into lighting is an issue for you, then LEDs will probably save you money in the long run since the bulb costs for T5 are so high.

 

[Kev311]

Well 20L meaning a 20 long not a 20 liter

looks like right now its a tie between LED and fluorescent

I probably should have known that

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[reefinman]

Aquatic life lutes working great for me.

 

[tomstechnic]

I voted LED. I have 2 bio cubes with DIY fixtures, and have no problem growing SPS like crazy in them.

 

[returnofsid]

How long is the tank? The issue you might run into is the length of available Quality T5 fixtures and bulbs. Anything under 24" and you'll have difficulty finding a quality T5HO fixture and replacement bulbs.

 

[sammirooter]

i like both. have leds over my frag tank and t5's over my dt

 

[tinctorus]

I really like LED lighting for small tanks (I have a 20 gal long mixed reef), think they are perfect for them b/c of the small foot print and huge reduction in heat from the fixture.

I don't have a wide range of experience for LED, but I currently have a Kessil A350W over my tank and I have been very successful with SPS since switching the light couple of months ago (This is FaviaFreak's thread on his kessil: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/led-lighting-specific/91163-kessil-a350-3.html)

Also, I believe there are some really well priced LED fixtures from the sponsors here on R2R that I think could grow SPS.

T5s are awesome but if sinking cost into lighting is an issue for you, then LEDs will probably save you money in the long run since the bulb costs for T5 are so high.

I'd hardly call T5 bulbs "expensive" by any means...even the higher end bulbs like ATI and geismann are only 20-22$ for a 24" bulb

 

[shred5]

I would use t-5.

 

[redtop03]

I'd hardly call T5 bulbs "expensive" by any means...even the higher end bulbs like ATI and geismann are only 20-22$ for a 24" bulb

expense is a matter of opinion by the end user,depending on that persons ability to afford certain expenses.....

T5's are not expensive,per bulb,but multiply the bulb cost for 6 or 8 bulbs for an SPS tank and replacing all of 'em every 6 to 8 months and that would be expensive for me and the biggest reason I didn't go with all T5s for my tank...I have yet to see a bad looking tank running all T5s

halides are less costly in bulb replacement than T5s because there's less bulbs to replace and the need for replacement is less often,but halides are gonna be a constant tank heating issue,especially for a 20g tank....

I selected LEDs simple because of less heat in the tank and less money to maintain over the long haul....

with a properly sized fixture,all 3 choices will grow SPS coral,and with the multiple selections of T5 bulb choices available,T5's will give you the most color options,though LEDs are moving forward quickly in that too

it just depends on what you want and can afford,but I would suggest looking at hybrid T5/LED fixtures or DIY LEDs

 

[ghostman]

I voted MH, but I read the tank size wrong!!!! I'd like to change my vote to T5s. They look great, have a wide range of color options, and give a full spectrum. MH is my choice of lighting on large tanks that have chillers, or don't need one. IMO, MH gives the best coral colors and growth, but a nice T5 setup will look great too.

 

[Pkunk35]

There's another reason aside from cost for not going Halide and T5 and that is bulb degradation over time.

I've been very lazy before about replacing my bulbs over tanks and this obviously will have a negative impact on coral. It's also hard to realize that this may be the problem when simply observing your tank or using test kits as a indicator of problems.

I don't know what the lifespan on LED bulbs is but I do know that it is significantly longer than a PC, T5 or halide bulb.

That said, I love T5 and halide tanks...I think with many coral it is a better light than LED to have, but in this small tank application I think you would be very happy with LED.

 

[shred5]

There's another reason aside from cost for not going Halide and T5 and that is bulb degradation over time.

I've been very lazy before about replacing my bulbs over tanks and this obviously will have a negative impact on coral. It's also hard to realize that this may be the problem when simply observing your tank or using test kits as a indicator of problems.

I don't know what the lifespan on LED bulbs is but I do know that it is significantly longer than a PC, T5 or halide bulb.

That said, I love T5 and halide tanks...I think with many coral it is a better light than LED to have, but in this small tank application I think you would be very happy with LED.

But when you need to replace leds whats the cost?.. How long do led last before needing to be replaced? What is the output decrease of leds?. whats the color shift? We don't see much on that do we? I remember when t-5 came out people said 1 and a half too two years before being replaced, we found out that aint true. Fact is no one knows with leds simply because not many have tested them.

It is very important to buy a led fixture from a reptuable manufacuter that uses good led. Not all leds are created equal.

Problem comes when you need to change leds. Some manufactures give you no way to replace them. Some will make you replace a hole bank. The good thing about leds is they are advancing so fast anythnig you buy now will be obsolete in 2 years,

From what we are finding is it aint as long as led manufactures are claiming. Do a search for led degradation or color shift and see alll that comes up now. Big problem is fixture manufactures are not building fixtures right and providing proper cooling which accelerates it.

 

[Wesley42079]

I vote for Kessil a350.

Small footprint, but a lot of light.

 

[Pkunk35]

But when you need to replace leds whats the cost?.. How long do led last before needing to be replaced? What is the output decrease of leds?. whats the color shift? We don't see much on that do we? I remember when t-5 came out people said 1 and a half too two years before being replaced, we found out that aint true. Fact is no one knows with leds simply because not many have tested them.

It is very important to buy a led fixture from a reptuable manufacuter that uses good led. Not all leds are created equal.

Problem comes when you need to change leds. Some manufactures give you no way to replace them. Some will make you replace a hole bank. The good thing about leds is they are advancing so fast anythnig you buy now will be obsolete in 2 years,

From what we are finding is it aint as long as led manufactures are claiming. Do a search for led degradation or color shift and see alll that comes up now. Big problem is fixture manufactures are not building fixtures right and providing proper cooling which accelerates it.

Point well taken, yes I do not know how long LEDs last...upon a really fast search I see that LED degradation is highly dependent on thermal issues so it would be wise to choose a fixture that has some cooling if you want it to last longer.

I would still think LED bulbs last a heck of a lot longer than T5 or halide no matter how you cut it.

To be clear tho, I'm choosing LED more for the heat issues than anything else in such a small tank. Plus LEDs are versatile and could be used very easily in a second application so i think for the OP a LED light would be wise.

 

[shred5]

Point well taken, yes I do not know how long LEDs last...upon a really fast search I see that LED degradation is highly dependent on thermal issues so it would be wise to choose a fixture that has some cooling if you want it to last longer.

I would still think LED bulbs last a heck of a lot longer than T5 or halide no matter how you cut it.

To be clear tho, I'm choosing LED more for the heat issues than anything else in such a small tank. Plus LEDs are versatile and could be used very easily in a second application so i think for the OP a LED light would be wise.

This was just a general point not really directed at you.. I just see the cost thing all the time and was just making a general statement. I think it really depends on how long you keep a fixture. A led fixture when it actually becomes time to get new leds will most likely need a whole new fixture. Question is that in 3 years or 5 years? The same leds that is made now may not even be available in a year or two to replace one with if it burns out or replace all. Allot of fixtures if you dont know how to solder you wont be able to replace them anyway.

Also the intial cost of a led fixture is not cheap.