LED? T5? or PC?

[magdelan]

Looking for the best light to share asthetics and PAR. I'll be putting it ove a 7g bowfront that is 10" high. My options include the following fixtures:


LED
I like the asthetics of the LEDs, but they are pricey and I have heard that they aren't the best at growing coral.


T5
I like Coralife T5 mini but I'm unsure of the 2x6w bulbs and the 11" width. Would I need to hang/suspend/mount this light to get a full light spread through the tank?


PC
I like that the Coralife Aqualight because the PC bulbs are 2x18w but, I do not like that they are 50/50 splits with one on/off switch making it impossible to ever enjoy only the actinics.

What are your thoughts?

 

[SkiFletch]

LED all the way. On a little nano like that, you don't need the expensive high-powered ones, and you have ULTIMATE control over color temp if you want. Just raise or dim the whites or blues to get the color you want. Plus, you can have that halide shimmer

 

[eamike261]

In my opinion....absolutely NO to the PC lights, you will probably only be able to keep soft corals and they'll still want more light...the T5 will work (you'll be replacing bulbs every 6-9 months) for softies and LPS for sure, maybe some SPS....you definitely do not need an AI nano for a 7g tank, but if you bought that you could keep any SPS or clam, but you could do a DIY LED system for much cheaper and still have plenty of light for SPS

basically depends on what you want and how much youre willing to spend...

 

[GMaquarium]

I would go with the ecoxotic nano led light.

 

[spinoleo]

leds are the way to go I have them and coral growth is great clams and anemone are also doing great

 

[mr86mister]

LED's all the way. You know my choice. Though you don't need to go to a super expensive. A nice array of 1w LED's on the small aquarium would work well. My AI Nano grows coral like crazy and the best part is, I can choose EXACTLY what color I want my tank to look all with the one fixture. I do like the Ecoxotic Panorama Pro's as well. I think 2 of them over your system would do well for growing everything but the super light demanding corals. HTH

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

400 watt halide all the way

400 watt halide all the way

illuminate the tank and the whole neighborhood while keeping run time on your furnace down and as a bonus get a whole lot of vitamin E!

You'll never bee depressed until a sunburn develops.

 

[magdelan]

Funny, Gary.

I am really leaning toward the T5's! I'm just a bit concerned with the 2x6w bulbs. Will this be enough light?

I'm also looking at 2x ecoxotic panorama modules with 12k whites and 445nm blues.

 

[Soccernut5824]

look into a par38 they are great i have one on a 12g aquapod and its amazing. ill try to find a nice site with them hang on.

 

[Soccernut5824]

http://www.rapidled.com/par-bulbs/
http://www.ecoxotic.com/aquarium-led-lights/led-par-lights/ecoxotic-par38-aquarium-led-lights.html

this guy is prob a beast!!
http://www.amazon.com/Dimmable-Power-Par38-Aquarium-Corals/dp/B004KW1T2C

 

[Soccernut5824]

http://www.boostled.com/products/reef-lamp-lamp-clamp

 

[Outlets710]

LED's all the way. You know my choice. Though you don't need to go to a super expensive. A nice array of 1w LED's on the small aquarium would work well. My AI Nano grows coral like crazy and the best part is, I can choose EXACTLY what color I want my tank to look all with the one fixture. I do like the Ecoxotic Panorama Pro's as well. I think 2 of them over your system would do well for growing everything but the super light demanding corals. HTH

Mike,
I'm getting a 30x14x16 made do you think the ai nano wii be sufficient enough for complete coverage and get good growth out of sps. I have always gone w t5's but love the look of the LEDs, I just don't know much about them, plus I agree i love the fact u can adjust color, any reccomendations if it's not enough coverage. Thanks

 

[Ellery]

Hey Mike - Glad to hear you're jumping back into it. It's tough to stay away for sure! I'd personally go with the LED then you won't have to upgrade any time soon in the future.

 

[WLDOR]

My advice? Look for reviews before parting with cash for the Coralife mini T5... My 10-day old unit for my refugium quit this evening, and it seems my experience is not 'out of the norm' (start with the reviews on amazon.com and go from there...)

 

[Eastamherstbias]

I have three kinds of LED Tech.

Evolution 120w G1, 2x Radions, 4 par 38's.

Good growth, no complaints. I have been on the LED bandwagon for the last 17 months.

Go LEDS.

 

[SquidwardTentacles]

My 1st experience with LEDs is only a couple months / positive. I went from MHs & VHOs on a 125 to LEDs on a JBJ 28 Nano. I've worked in seven Ecoxotic Stunner Strip blues on the stock LED hood. Low heat, great shimmer, and incredibly low power consumption for the light output. Like I stated... only a couple months in but everything seems to be doing well with the LED lighting.