Anyone Thinking of Dumping LEDS and going back to Halides

[Goldcoastreefs]

Hello all, I have a 125gal reef tank with 250W Radiums on it, a little frag tank with a 250W Ushio 20k and a 60 gal frag tank with an ecotech Radion on one side and a DIY Rapid LED set up on the other side. I can't help but notice the corals and the tank just looks better under the Halides. I have never tried the ATI power Module, and am half way thinking about replacing the LED's with the power module, but then I think maybe jsut put 2 more radiums on there instead. am I crazy for wanting to replace the LED's or have any of you noticed anything similar?

 

[bvoss]

I have been playing with LEDs for two years. AI SolBlues and a variety of DIY. nothing comes close to MH or the ATIBPM I replaced. The corals look terrible in comparison.

 

[sirreal63]

I don't think you are crazy and your experience is becoming the norm.

 

[bbsal]

Yep i switched from led to metal halides! I just dont think anything compares to the metal halides i have 2 250watt ushio 14k and my tank looks way better under them then it did with the leds..

The few corals i have are way way healthier looking and have grown and extended the tenticles way farther now with the halides also there color was starting to fade with the leds now there back to normal im sure theres some good leds out there but i think i will stick with the halides!

 

[reefergeorge]

I think about going back to t5s. If it wasn't for the bulb changing I would have already.

 

[aandfsoccr04]

I don't think you are crazy and your experience is becoming the norm.

 

[sirreal63]

Lol @ the spam bot.

 

[Felixc395]

I switched back to T5's, definitely worth it

 

[bbsal]

lol must be spam bot

 

[sirreal63]

The Mods are on top of it as usual.

 

[Allentown]

Changing the bulbs every year is a PITA for me, but you sleep better at night knowing you have what works over your tank...

For my FOWLR/LS set up that i JUST got, i went with LEDS (low power, no bulbs to change, low heat, built in timer) but after seeing other peoples experience, I see the LEDs being resigned to FO tanks and people sticking with MH/T5s for any serious coral keeping.

Im currently torn between running two tanks or more probably, running my T5 fixture in tandem with my LEDS so i can keep corals in the big tank (although ill only be able to really keep them in the center of the tank (which is fine).

 

[bbsal]

Yea i have a 75 gallon freshwater tank with leds there great for fo or fowlr

 

[bbsal]

Changing the bulbs every year is a PITA for me, but you sleep better at night knowing you have what works over your tank...

For my FOWLR/LS set up that i JUST got, i went with LEDS (low power, no bulbs to change, low heat, built in timer) but after seeing other peoples experience, I see the LEDs being resigned to FO tanks and people sticking with MH/T5s for any serious coral keeping.

Im currently torn between running two tanks or more probably, running my T5 fixture in tandem with my LEDS so i can keep corals in the big tank (although ill only be able to really keep them in the center of the tank (which is fine).

Are you from allentown pa or is that just a nickname of yours lol im from phila thats why i was wondering lol

 

[usfpaul82]

Never switched to LEDs because a 250w radium bulb on a magnetic ballast is the best. Period.

 

[James77]

Never switched to LEDs because a 250w radium bulb on a magnetic ballast is the best. Period.

Hard to argue with that one

I switched last year to LEDs, and promptly switched right back to halides. All the coral that were not fairing well under the LEDs-for whatever reason- colored right back up and looked very healthy with a months time of swtiching back.

I had gone back to phoenix bulbs, but am going back to the above one with M80 ballasts and Radiums.

 

[96p993]

Not halide but switched back to T5's....

 

[oscarb]

i have t5 8- 54w running on 120gal aquarium but thinking of switching to leds so ur saying leds suck on growing corals

 

[Jim.mer]

You're not crazy

You're not crazy

Why did most people go with LED? Mostly because of power usage and lack of bulb replacement. I don't think anything compares to MH and T-5 Supplement. I was seriously gonna go with LED but not so sure anymore.. If money wasn't a problem then I'd go 2x 400 MH.

 

[Goldcoastreefs]

Ok I'm glad I'm not the only one. Now the frag tank that I am thinking of replacing the LEDs on is a rimless 48x24x12. Should I try a 6 or 8 bulb powermodule or a couple more radium pendants?

 

[parrthed]

I kept my LED strips on my FOWLR but on my display and frag tank I just made the switch back to halides from AI SOLs. I cant quite put my finger on it but there was something missing with the LEDs. I liked the color adjustability but my corals and their colors sure do love some halides.