Switching from T5: LEDs or MH?

[14A]

I'm currently running 6x39W ATIs on my 95x60x40H, full SPS tank.

T5 bulbs are getting hard to find in my country. I'm thinking about switching from T5 to MH (250w, I'd probably hoard some 20K bulbs) or LEDs.

My main concern is heat: how much more heat would a 250W MH fixture produce when compared to a 250W LED fixture?

The room is climatized by a mini split since it's usually 25-32°C down here on average.

 

[Spare time]

If you are worried about heat, I woudl probably avoid the metal halide. LED bars would be the most similar to the t5.

 

[Reefering1]

If you're used to good coverage I would probably avoid LED's(or get twice as many as recommended) . Mh only need a small fan, or no canopy to not be a issue at all.

 

[leighton.bingham]

I loved my MH when I had them but had to run a chiller. There is soooo man different bulb selections also.

 

[14A]

If you are worried about heat, I woudl probably avoid the metal halide. LED bars would be the most similar to the t5.

Maybe I didn't express myself properly. What i meant was: I know that T5, LEDs and MH can grow corals really well. It's just the heat part that worries me. I've never run any MH fixture (reef related or not), and I don't know how much more heat it produces when compared to my 6x39W T5 fixture.

Also, do you guys think that 250W would be too much for my 56G tank?

 

[leighton.bingham]

Maybe I didn't express myself properly. What i meant was: I know that T5, LEDs and MH can grow corals really well. It's just the heat part that worries me. I've never run any MH fixture (reef related or not), and I don't know how much more heat it produces when compared to my 6x39W T5 fixture.

Also, do you guys think that 250W would be too much for my 56G tank?

It will produce a fair amount more of heat. But it also shouldn't heat things up more than a degree or two as long as its not sitting on the water. I dont think 250w will be to much. What bulbs are you going with?

 

[Dburr1014]

Maybe I didn't express myself properly. What i meant was: I know that T5, LEDs and MH can grow corals really well. It's just the heat part that worries me. I've never run any MH fixture (reef related or not), and I don't know how much more heat it produces when compared to my 6x39W T5 fixture.

Also, do you guys think that 250W would be too much for my 56G tank?

Probably need 2 MH as one won't span the 36". That will produce some heat going to 250's.
You can get good coverage with LED, not sure why one poster said it won't. They also will produce less heat compared to MH.

 

[14A]

It will produce a fair amount more of heat. But it also shouldn't heat things up more than a degree or two as long as its not sitting on the water. I dont think 250w will be to much. What bulbs are you going with?

If I do, I was thinking about a Radium 250w 20K SE bulb.

 

[rtparty]

You’ll need 2 - 250w halides to cover that tank. The choices for halides suck these days.

There are many LEDs that will work so it will come down to budget, mounting options, what you like the look of. Some fixtures create a horrible disco ball effect and since you’re coming from T5s, you will notice it big time. So the more T5 type LEDs will probably be the better choice IMO.

 

[xiaoxiy]

I would go LED if heat is your concern. When I ran halide (just a 250W giesemann Infiniti) My room felt like a sauna whenever halide was on.

 

[14A]

I would go LED if heat is your concern. When I ran halide (just a 250W giesemann Infiniti) My room felt like a sauna whenever halide was on.

My room already gets pretty hot with T5 . I'm currently running the AC 24/7 almost every single day.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Halide bulbs are, as stated above, becoming hard to get. In your shoes I wouldn't invest in a fixture who's days are numbered. LEDs, properly positioned, would do just fine coverage wise. Just realize that not all LEDs are created equal, in terms of intensity and spectrum.

 

[Spare time]

Maybe I didn't express myself properly. What i meant was: I know that T5, LEDs and MH can grow corals really well. It's just the heat part that worries me. I've never run any MH fixture (reef related or not), and I don't know how much more heat it produces when compared to my 6x39W T5 fixture.

Also, do you guys think that 250W would be too much for my 56G tank?

Yes my point was the metal halide will produce more heat. I think you would most enjoy something like an AI blade which can be mixed with kessils if you want shimmer.

 

[14A]

Hey guys, I guess I will follow the majority's opinion and choose LEDs (2xReefis, xiaoxiy you use these, right?)

I will probably set up a small 150W MH in the future just to see what it is really like.

I'd like to thanks everybody for chiming in! I really appreciate it.

 

[xiaoxiy]

Hey guys, I guess I will follow the majority's opinion and choose LEDs (2xReefis, xiaoxiy you use these, right?)

I will probably set up a small 150W MH in the future just to see what it is really like.

I'd like to thanks everybody for chiming in! I really appreciate it.

Yep! I use Reefi's. I like the Duo Extremes more than the Unos for coverage of acropora.

Another option I've really liked are the Philips Coral Cares. It has the most similar to T5 coverage, out of all the LEDs I've used.

 

[bobnicaragua]

One metal halide would probably produce similar or a little more heat than a 6 bulb t5. A halide would not be enough coverage on a 3 foot tank. I would do a halide in the center with a LED fixture on each side.

There is no a better light than halide for SPS. That’s reason enough for me to run them.

 

[Johnd651]

Mh are going obsolete just like T5. Just a thought

 

[bobnicaragua]

Mh are going obsolete just like T5. Just a thought

They are the best light for SPS and you can buy it right now.

 

[Johnd651]

They are the best light for SPS and you can buy it right now.

Certain Manufacturers have stopped producing bulbs. Just because you can get them today, does not always make it the best investment if you can't use them in a year. Just my honest opinion. If the op has them, don't stop running them. Probably not the best idea to change over to them at this point.

As for best for SPS, as mentioned above, the right mix of leds can be just as good.

 

[xiaoxiy]

They are the best light for SPS and you can buy it right now.

Eh…. I noticed no difference visually when I went from a Halide/T5 hybrid to LEDs only. In terms of alk consumption, I had to increase dosing after I swapped to LED.