LED vs. metal Halide

Even at 24 months it's going to cost you more to run and replace bulbs on a MH then LEDs. If you have no way to check the bulbs then are you going to take a chance and let them go for the max amount of time? Most people would say no and are going to replace them sooner rather then later. As far as heat that is a byproduct of wasted energy from the light which means wasted money. Your advantages are more of a disadvantage to most people which is why you see people looking at other light solutions in the first place.
 
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SFish said:
Even at 24 month it's going to cost you more to run MH then LEDs. As far as heat the is a byproduct of wasted energy from the light which means wasted money. Your advantages are more of a disadvantage to most people which is why you see people looking at other light solutions in the first place.
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Again, it's not that black and white. I get it, you like LEDs. I think for some they are a great choice. It's not as simple as most make it out to be
 
I went with a T5/MH combo strictly for the reason that as a beginner I needed to learn how to keep my parameters stable and proper husbandry without needing to figure out how to dial in my lights.
For a beginner, I have to say "plug & play" was the best route for me. I have so much to learn that I just wanted to take lighting out of the equation.
That being said, once I have a handle on everything's else, I will be researching leds.
 
SFish said:
Even at 24 months it's going to cost you more to run MH then LEDs. If you have no way to check the bulbs then are you going to take a chance and let them go for the max amount of time? Most people would say no and are going to replace them sooner rather then later. As far as heat that is a byproduct of wasted energy from the light which means wasted money. Your advantages are more of a disadvantage to most people which is why you see people looking at other light solutions in the first place.
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Since you did an edit I'll answer that question...

If you don't have a way to check, LEDs become harder IMO
 
You proved nothing.

Even if the bulb on a MH last 2 years I can buy T5 bulbs for the same price or less to last the same amount of time and the fixture will consume less energy.
 
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SFish said:
You proved nothing.

Even if the bulb on a MH last 2 years I can buy T5 bulbs for the same price or less to last the same amount of time and the fixture will consume less energy.
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No T5 bulb is lasting 24 months. Plenty of tests to show that as well.

Technically, a T5 bulb will light for years. For our use, you see a decline in PAR and spectral shift after about 12 months if properly cooled.

Look, you're trying to argue a point I already agreed with. LEDs are a great choice for some. They aren't the end all be all though. Too many factors to say one type of light fits everyone.
 
LOL
That's not what I was saying. I can buy 4 T5 bulbs to last the two years for less or the same amount of money as you MH bulb and that assuming your bulbs last that long which they won't most likely. Your just trying to justify the money you're spending on MHs. There is no magic light the best option we have right now is an LED.
 
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SFish said:
LOL
That's not what I was saying. I can buy 4 T5 bulbs to last the two years for less or the same amount of money as you MH bulb and that assuming your bulbs last that long which they won't most likely. Your just trying to justify the money you're spending on MHs. There is no magic light the best option we have right now is an LED.
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LED is the best option for YOU. I'm not trying to justify anything. When I decided to get a Geisemann MH/T5 fixture I knew exactly what I was getting: the gold standard in reef lighting. What do you think EVERY LED fixture has been trying to replicate?

Yep, it comes with bulb replacements. $60 for a Phoenix bulb every 18-24 months? One coral costs more than that.

Slightly more electricity? Negligible seeming that I would have a heater running non stop if I went with LEDs on this setup.

4 T5 bulbs are $80-100 and won't last 2 years. Show me one study or test where T5s have lasted a full 2 years and lost little, if any, PAR and almost zero spectral shift. BTW I love T5s and have used them the most over the years.

It's clear you think LEDs are the best thing since sliced bread and the ONLY light we should be using in the hobby. That's cool. It's your choice. Some of us know better. We know that every tank and situation is different. The best lighting we have is whatever we prefer. Be it LEDs, MH, T5 or even naturally lit by the sun.

It's just best to not spread false information to further your opinion and agenda
 
rtparty said:
led is the best option for you. I'm not trying to justify anything. When i decided to get a geisemann mh/t5 fixture i knew exactly what i was getting: The gold standard in reef lighting. What do you think every led fixture has been trying to replicate?

Yep, it comes with bulb replacements. $60 for a phoenix bulb every 18-24 months? One coral costs more than that.

Slightly more electricity? Negligible seeming that i would have a heater running non stop if i went with leds on this setup.

4 t5 bulbs are $80-100 and won't last 2 years. Show me one study or test where t5s have lasted a full 2 years and lost little, if any, par and almost zero spectral shift. Btw i love t5s and have used them the most over the years.

It's clear you think leds are the best thing since sliced bread and the only light we should be using in the hobby. That's cool. It's your choice. Some of us know better. We know that every tank and situation is different. The best lighting we have is whatever we prefer. Be it leds, mh, t5 or even naturally lit by the sun.

It's just best to not spread false information to further your opinion and agenda
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+1
 
LOL
What ever

T5 bulbs last 6 months so you would go through 4 of them in 2 years and try more like $10 to $15 not $80. Also most people don't need a heater running non stop year around like for example in summer so the cost is not slightly higher. All you can do is argue. I didn't say one light fit all I said it's the best option for most people. Did I say T5s won't work? No I didn't. Moving on your just wasting my time.
 
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I've been up since about 5:30am mountain time. It's now about 8am and I just finished enjoying a beautifully replicated sunrise supplied by my Prime LED light. Life is good! :)

Guess I ought to go feed'em, eh? :D
 
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