LED question

[Foody]

I am considering purchasing a Marineland Reef Capable 36"-48" (expandable) LED set up. Here is a link with specs: http://www.marineland.com/products/...ghting/reef-led-aquarium-lighting-system.aspx
I currently am using a 36" T5, 4 bulb, 156watt light over my 48", 55gal tank. Would the Marineland provide the same or more light? Would it use less energy? (than my current T5)

Thanks and blessings!

 

[Foody]

Or would I be better off with the 48"-60" version?

 

[Stusdesktop]

Honest opinion, less light than you currently get and not enough for most corals. You'll probably be able to keep mushrooms and some softies but anything more demanding is probably out. Yes it'll probably consume less power than your current fixture but over a year you are probably only talking $20.

1 watt emitters are not reef friendly unless you're adding them in massive amounts. The blue/white combo is looking to be less beneficial to corals than the fuller spectrum mixes showing up. A reasonably priced T5/MH fixture will out perform a similar priced LED fixture. It's not until you get into the higher end models or DIY your own that you are even going to come close to the better T5 or MH fixtures (and some say not even then).

 

[zooman72]

The Marineland fixture is not well-regarded, and for good reason - it just does not cut it in terms of color-rendition quality or total output.

You are better off sticking with your current T5 light, or biting the bullet and using a pair of better LED fixtures. A pair of Maxspect 20" Razors would work quite well for a tank that size...