I've heard 10000 mixed reviews on what kind of lighting I should use. One person says t5's and the next guy says to use, etc... What are some of your experiences with lighting. Keep in mind my tank is 40gallons and 16" tall. I want to be able to do soft corals and hard corals.
led or t5
- Thread starter Bigsteve
- Start date
JonnyD91
New member
Budget?
Are you trying to be energy conscience?
The only T5 I would buy or recommend is ATI.
If you got 1500 bucks, get this and have it all
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/le...le/36-2x75w-led-4x39w-t5-led-powermodule.html
a 36" 4 bulb ATI with bulbs is just under 500.00
Depending on what LED fixture you get you would most likely get 2 for full coverage and to be happy, you are looking at average 800 bucks.
If you deal with pure numbers figure out how long the 400.00 difference will get you in power bills.
LED's give shimmer, do you "need" or like that?
T5's IMO give better color.
The growth difference is prob. negligible.
I would say figure out your most important criteria and base your purchase off of that.
FYI I own a 6 bulb ATI sunpower. I have been very happy with it and did consider moving to LED but could not justify the cost/benefit ratio.
Are you trying to be energy conscience?
The only T5 I would buy or recommend is ATI.
If you got 1500 bucks, get this and have it all
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/le...le/36-2x75w-led-4x39w-t5-led-powermodule.html
a 36" 4 bulb ATI with bulbs is just under 500.00
Depending on what LED fixture you get you would most likely get 2 for full coverage and to be happy, you are looking at average 800 bucks.
If you deal with pure numbers figure out how long the 400.00 difference will get you in power bills.
LED's give shimmer, do you "need" or like that?
T5's IMO give better color.
The growth difference is prob. negligible.
I would say figure out your most important criteria and base your purchase off of that.
FYI I own a 6 bulb ATI sunpower. I have been very happy with it and did consider moving to LED but could not justify the cost/benefit ratio.
JonnyD91
New member
Then I would just go with one of those budget Chinese LED fixtures. I don't know much about them, but there is a pretty big thread about them on here.
I couldn't personally recommend a T5 fixture to fit your tank for that price unless it was used, which may be an option. The reflectors on the ATI's are unmatched. Its a fixture that will last a long time.
Seems to me price is your biggest criteria, so in that case I would go used ATI or look into one of those LED fixtures. Don't over think it.
JonnyD91
New member
To be honest, and this is a personal opinion again, for led I would only look into maxspect razor, ecotech radion, AI Lighting, or that Chinese brand recommended on here. I don't know enough about the lighting to DIY, but some have had very good success when done right.
Don't know anything about the ecoexotic.
Do you have a controller by chance?
JonnyD91
New member
^^
No joke, i just went to search some used fixtures for you and this was at the top of the page:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2272627
That's a great deal
Its the most cost effective you will get
No joke, i just went to search some used fixtures for you and this was at the top of the page:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2272627
That's a great deal
Its the most cost effective you will get
Drae
RAIDER NATION!
T-5 T-5 T-5! especially if money is an issue. tried and true
JonnyD91
New member
<--------has been using the same bulbs for 3 years
DISCLAIMER i dont recommend that
Either way the fixture alone is worth more than 250.
Dapg8gt
New member
LEDs at that price point check out reefbreeders or a DIY kit but IMO its hard to get a DIY to look as good as the reefbreeders set up for that price . If you do go LED read up on acclimation if you haven't already you can toast everything really easy .T5's are gonna work along with MH they are tried and tested but they have some cons along with them also like heat and bulb swaps,It's all about what you want. I have all of the above and like everyone of them. I have the reef breeders value fixture (evergrow D120)on my frag tank and 14k Phoenix MH with ATI blue plus on my DT.. They all work it's about how much you want to spend.. Also your electricity won't go down with LEDS that much if at all. I have my heater running almost 24/7 now when it used to not run with the halides were on FWIW.. Only savings is on bulb swaps..
At your price point I would say used if you do go the T5 route you will get a better quality product. I have a cheap odysea fixture that now is just an odysea shell LOL.. All ballast's are upgraded to name brand and also the lights. For what I have into it so far I could have went with a name brand all in one light and saved a few bucks, but it did take me years to do all of that I think I've had the light for about 5 years and started having issues a few years in with the MH ballast.. Then I changed out the T5 ballasts cause I found a good deal on them.
At your price point I would say used if you do go the T5 route you will get a better quality product. I have a cheap odysea fixture that now is just an odysea shell LOL.. All ballast's are upgraded to name brand and also the lights. For what I have into it so far I could have went with a name brand all in one light and saved a few bucks, but it did take me years to do all of that I think I've had the light for about 5 years and started having issues a few years in with the MH ballast.. Then I changed out the T5 ballasts cause I found a good deal on them.
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