led or t5

[Michigan Mike]

Wow..

Okay, for $300...
It depends what corals you will keep.

Softy/LPS will be fine with a 150w halide or...
6x24w T5 (TEK & ATI) will do well for SPS under the fixture & LPS/softies outside the fixture.
A 4x39 T5 will be better for a mixed reef/ softy & LPS tank.

Apollo makes a led fixture for 40breeder tanks.

It really depends on what coral you want.

You can find used 6x24 T5 TEK or ATI.
Or 150w halide.
Or a LED made for a 40g breeder like Apollo, evergrow/reefbreeders.
Good luck.

Look and see what you like & what is best for the coral you want to kep.

 

[Andy305]

I would go with T-5. LEDs are still new and cost more upfront. Listen to these guys because they have had success! Good luck

 

[Phishguy]

see the thing is im 18 and i don have that kind of money, i want to do everything right and im really interested in the saltwater game, i need something cost efficient and long lasting. the best bang for my buck

No one has asked what you plan to keep for corals etc.. Either led or t5 will work well. T5 can have a low startup cost but yearly bulb replacement cost.. There are more bulbs available and you can tailor your color to your liking... At 16" depth, 4x t5 will be plenty for anything you'd want to keep.. Led has a higher startup cost but no yearly replacement cost. Also, generally lower operafing cost.. It is a proven technology and becoming more widely available. There is also starting to be more of an ability to tailor color.. A big thing people don't understand about led is its intensity.. It is a very directed light energy so it may seem dim on the outside looking at it but not inside... Anytime you increase light intensity, acclimation is needed..

~Jon~

 

[MBMtech]

BigSteve,


http://www.reefbreeders.com/it2060.html


check that out. Reefbreeders is an authorized sponsor of these forums. I myself have just placed an order for two Photon24's for my upcoming 150gal build.

1 of these 24" Photons at the proper height should do you just fine starting out. 329.00 shipped. You may want to ask Logan (Reefbreeders) which optics he would recommend.

 

[HippieSmell]

I think the OP already chose, didn't he? If not, AquaMedic has some seriously affordable MH fixtures on their website. A couple of their 150W halides on a 75 breeder will be plenty.

 

[Chris Lakies]

led or t5

I love the controllability of my DIY leds. 4 channels, Neutral white, Royal, blue, true violet. Running off a Apex VDM 10-100% dimming each channel. Was cheaper to put together than a 36" 6 bulb ati fixture. I can get 250 par on the sand if i wanted with 80 deg optics.

 

[Chris Mills]

I have used both and have been much happier using T5 HO. Great color! Good growth.

 

[that Fish Guy]

I would say a Kessil A350 LED.

It is supposed to cover a 3 foot by 3 foot area.

It is also one of the cheaper LED's but one of the best.

They are no gimmicks like computer hookup, thunderstorm, etc like say a Radion but it is a good solid affordable light.

If you don't care about bells and whistles get the Kessil.

You will not get bells and whistles with any T5 or Metal Halide either though.

 

[rodneyri]

the ATI Hybrid has the bells and whistles

 

[that Fish Guy]

the ATI Hybrid has the bells and whistles

It is not a strict T5 system though.

And he is not looking to spend 2,000

 

[sirreal63]

Bells and whistles do what for the corals?

 

[toofrigginswt]

Bells and whistles do what for the corals?

It doesn't do anything for the corals. It does however allow you to showoff to your friends during drunk parties and gatherings.

 

[sirreal63]

Well that's helpful.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Only if the opposite sex is into techie reef stuff.

 

[Bigsteve]

thanks everyone for the input i still have plenty of time to make up my mind and now i have a lot more to think about lol