t5 or leds

JMSKI333 · Dec 15, 2013

Coming from a T5 owner of 4-5 years, you should go LED. It's the future of this hobby.

Alabamareef · Dec 15, 2013

Do you have an open canopy closed?

reefndude · Dec 15, 2013

Open. I will also be using an open canopy on the upgrade

Alabamareef · Dec 15, 2013

I like an open canopy myself. Will you be hanging your lights from the celling or mounted on the tank

droblack · Dec 15, 2013

Both!

reefndude · Dec 15, 2013

I plan on hanging the lights

inurocker · Dec 15, 2013

I have seen successful gorgeous reefs using everything from MH, T5, VHO, light pipes to LED and combinations of them. IMHO a photon is a photon if they are of the proper wavelengths and intensity the end product will be the same. I also don't think I'm going to far out on a limb saying with regulations getting tougher all the time, very soon these other forms of electric light will be removed from the market. I went DIY LED so I can tune to fit my tanks needs and improve it as the technology gets better and better. In over 40 years of the aquarium hobby I haven't seen much backward movement in technology. No one is setting up there new tank wants 5 gallons of bio-balls or an under gravel filter today. Yet 15 or 20 years ago I had long discussions with people who insisted that it was the best method.

Alabamareef · Dec 15, 2013

I would defiantly consider a fixture with one power cord and that I can put close to the water surface to prevent light spillage.

ronnie · Dec 15, 2013

reefndude said:
What fixture did you end up going with. Im also considering going with a hybrid setup

ATI powermodule LED hybrid.

Alabamareef · Dec 15, 2013

Is your tank 72" long?

reefndude · Dec 15, 2013

Yes new one is

reefndude · Dec 15, 2013

inurocker said:
I have seen successful gorgeous reefs using everything from MH, T5, VHO, light pipes to LED and combinations of them. IMHO a photon is a photon if they are of the proper wavelengths and intensity the end product will be the same. I also don't think I'm going to far out on a limb saying with regulations getting tougher all the time, very soon these other forms of electric light will be removed from the market. I went DIY LED so I can tune to fit my tanks needs and improve it as the technology gets better and better. In over 40 years of the aquarium hobby I haven't seen much backward movement in technology. No one is setting up there new tank wants 5 gallons of bio-balls or an under gravel filter today. Yet 15 or 20 years ago I had long discussions with people who insisted that it was the best method.

Good points