Aquaticlife T5 or Kessils led?

[Saltwater_Biker]

My 2 choices are either the Aquatic Life HO T5 54Wx4 fixture or the Kessils LED.

Aquatic Life is $369 and the Kessils are $350 each with $100 for the arm attachments. I like LPS corals so which one should I choose? I like the timer on the Aquatic Life with moon lights but also like the look of the Kessils.
If I get the Kessils which model? Will it take couple years to get my money back from the efficiency of the LEDs?

 

[ReachTheSky]

It might take a couple of years. Aside from energy, keep in mind that T5 bulbs need replacement every 6-12 months. LED's don't.

If you're just going to be keeping low-light corals, the Kessil's aren't a necessity. The T5's will be fine. If you do choose to go with the LED's, it will be up to you to decide which model since that's purely subjective. I would personally choose Ocean Blue (15000k) for myself.

 

[rtparty]

Just break it down. The aquatic life is a decent fixture but the bulbs aren't the greatest. I'd run the blue bulbs for about 6 months and then replace. I'd ditch both daylight right from the beginning so plan another $50 right there.

The aquatic life will cost you about $420 up front and then roughly $100/year after that for bulbs.

The LEDs will run $800 up front but should, I emphasize should, be maintenance free after that.

Electricity is equal in my opinion. The LEDs will run around 180 watts and the T5 is 216 watts. Even if you turn the LEDs down the difference is negligible.

So you're looking at year 4 or 5 before your money is made back. I highly doubt you have this tank at that point. Studies have shown the average hobbyist is in the hobby for 3 years.

So it's up to you. I like T5s a lot more so I use them.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

 

[kupadupapupa]

I'm using diy led right now and I think t5 might be better for you. Even though the cost of running led is so low I think they have stunted my soft coral growth due to too much light. The sps are doing great though, so it basically depends on how much light your corals well need.