As far as I can see, going back to halides is simply throwing in the towel and admitting you don't understand lighting. OK, some of us do find this easier and that is not meant to be negative. Just putting people in the appropriate camps. Both methods work without a doubt. LEDs are more complex, but this complexity offers the aquarist new vistas. Not all fixtures are really suitable for marines. The choice is excruciating! Just screwing in an appropriate bulb is an easy option, expecially for those who do not wish to deepen their knowledge of spectrum and optics. I know little about computers, but I use one daily, as most of us do. Then there are those that live in a virtual world. Different camps.
In a couple of years LEDs will be reduced to plug and play (that actually works), just like everthing else. This coming year will see many innovations, yielded from customer feedback, technical advancements and economy. The more we understand about PAR vs spectrum, the more we realise how limited our knowledge about lighting is/was.
Statistically, about 90% of aquariums sold end up in the cellar in less than a year. Says something about seperating the wheat from the chaff. It is not an easy-peasy or cheap hobby. One should congratulate themselves at having found the appropriate path. Oh, gotta run, my sunset effect is coming on..........
