Good afternoon. This is really a question for BRS. I noticed that the only type of lighting that is "recommended" is LEDs...Radions, Kessils, etc. I'm starting anew after a long hiatus and used T5's and I'm torn. Trying to decide between ATI T5's or LEDs. Is it just as simple as that LED is newer technology? If I choose to stay with T5's will I run into trouble later with them being phased out? it appears that since I left the hobby MH have almost but disappeared. BTW...I read all the discussions on which lighting is best LEDs or T5s (which I actually enjoy) so I'm not going down that path, just commenting on what I observe in the online wholesale market.
Recommended lighting LEDs only?-BRS
- Thread starter YellowScroll62
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drawman
2500 Club Member
If it's for BRS directly I would recommend going to their sub-forum.
That said, I think you'll find things are typically easier with T5 lighting with a nice fixture like ATI. Not that you won't get good results with LED alone but shadowing can be a big concern. ATI also makes a hybrid T5/LED fixture FWIW.
JBKReef
Valuable Member
I currently use LED's and looking to supplement with T5's. The hybrid would have been my first choice if it was out when I originally was putting together my tank. Getting the blanket par with the benefits of the spectrum and coloration from LED's its tough to pass up.
I would suggest going with one of the Hybrid T5's and an appropriately sized Kessil light for whatever you're building.
I would suggest going with one of the Hybrid T5's and an appropriately sized Kessil light for whatever you're building.
mcarroll
10K Club member
Can't say there's anything wrong with T5 per se. Same problems it's always had – nothing new. That's good and bad. 
It'll still cost more to run thanks to power and bulb costs vs LED, for example.
Folks mentioning shading aren't really talking about lights you ought to consider given your tastes....
Some folks who really like T5-type light (a little inert-looking, no shadows) have gotten caught in the hype of LED spotlights. Like if someone stole your T5 system and replaced it with halides back in the day – not the switch you're looking for.
So disregard all that and consider all the different LED strips on offer – Current USA, Hamilton, GHL, Orphek, Reefbrite, etc.....seems like most have strips; all are good options.
The light field should be very similar to T5 with just a tad of shimmer.
It'll still cost more to run thanks to power and bulb costs vs LED, for example.
Folks mentioning shading aren't really talking about lights you ought to consider given your tastes....
Some folks who really like T5-type light (a little inert-looking, no shadows) have gotten caught in the hype of LED spotlights. Like if someone stole your T5 system and replaced it with halides back in the day – not the switch you're looking for.
So disregard all that and consider all the different LED strips on offer – Current USA, Hamilton, GHL, Orphek, Reefbrite, etc.....seems like most have strips; all are good options.
The light field should be very similar to T5 with just a tad of shimmer.
BRS does not really recommend anything flat-out... when they do, the have lots of caveats. Nearly every lighting video with a phrase similar to "if pure performance is what you are after, then Metal Halide is for you..." but this is not a recommendation, per se. Then, they give you lots of detail and nuance to make your own decision including things like "control-ability," "coolness," etc. which may, or may not have any impact on you. Only you can choose which lights are for you based on these things. For me, I am pure performance for the corals... others like to be able to have thunderstorms and change colors on their Android from a couch.
People have been promising the demise of Metal Halide, VHO and to a lesser degree T5s for more than a decade. All that has happened is that Hamilton is selling more MH and T5s fixtures than every before, people are introducing new bulbs and tech and even VHOs are still being made. There is very little risk of you not being able to get T5s for the next decade or two. The bottom line is that LED still cannot do what VHO, T5 and MH can do, so until it can, then there is no risk. There are a lot of good reason to make any decision, but not being able to get bulbs is not one of them, IMO.
People have been promising the demise of Metal Halide, VHO and to a lesser degree T5s for more than a decade. All that has happened is that Hamilton is selling more MH and T5s fixtures than every before, people are introducing new bulbs and tech and even VHOs are still being made. There is very little risk of you not being able to get T5s for the next decade or two. The bottom line is that LED still cannot do what VHO, T5 and MH can do, so until it can, then there is no risk. There are a lot of good reason to make any decision, but not being able to get bulbs is not one of them, IMO.
Mark3
Active Member
I like the best of both....I use three Metal Halide and two current LED strips.... Best combo
...my favorite look is the LED's full blue + 10% white with the MH on.....gives a deep blue light with white shimmer
I think/hope MH is not dead yet
BoomCorals
2500 Club Member
It’s definitely not. In fact some of the MH stuff has been in higher demand and caught distributors off guard. M80 ballasts have been out of stock for weeks waiting for resupply.
Ron Reefman
Lets Go Snorkeling!
Reef Squad
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Tampa Bay Reef Keepers
MAC of SW Florida
I added t5's to my led fixture and hated it. They can't be controlled like the leds can and the white t5 was too white and too bright, washing out the effect of the main led fixture.
So I added 2 led strip fixtures. I used 21ledusa fixtures and they worked well, however, they run hotter that I would like. I'll try some other brand with my new tank. A white and blue mix with dimmers at the front of the tank and an all blue fixture with dimmers at the back of the tank. I lost most of my darker shadow issues which is why I tried adding t5's in the first place. And with a whiter front and bluer back, the tank looked like it was more than 2' thick.
So I added 2 led strip fixtures. I used 21ledusa fixtures and they worked well, however, they run hotter that I would like. I'll try some other brand with my new tank. A white and blue mix with dimmers at the front of the tank and an all blue fixture with dimmers at the back of the tank. I lost most of my darker shadow issues which is why I tried adding t5's in the first place. And with a whiter front and bluer back, the tank looked like it was more than 2' thick.
JBKReef
Valuable Member
Which T5 bulbs did you add? I couldnt imagine the Blue+ or true actinic bulbs would be too much white.
Ron Reefman
Lets Go Snorkeling!
Reef Squad
Excellence Award
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MAC of SW Florida
I don't remember which bulbs I tried, but I know I tried 4 different t5's before I gave up on them and went to led strip fixtures. Here is the tank and how the fixtures were placed on the tank.
You can see the front led strip fixture sitting just above the tank. It actually is just barely above the screen cover over the tank and just a few inches off the front glass. There is a blue one sitting just off the back glass as well.
20170611_121422 by Ron Lindensmith, on Flickr
grassy_noel
Active Member
I wonder if the OP is referring to the "Recommended" badge that BRS puts on some of the products they sell. If so, you're right that several LED fixtures are "Recommended" and there are no "Recommended" fluorescent fixtures. However, BRS does "Recommend" 5 different ATI fluorescent bulbs. So I would say that they've "Recommended" T5, just by way of the bulbs, not the fixtures.
Is that what you meant @YellowScroll62 ?
Is that what you meant @YellowScroll62 ?
