LED vs. metal Halide
- Thread starter PDXreefer
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OldReefGuy
Well-known member
I went from MH to LED and going back to MH
You'll get varying opinions on it and honestly this topic has been debated several times in the lighting forum. :deadhorse1:
I still love MH and T5 myself. I don't think LED's are the total solution yet, but I think in 5 years they will be even better than what we see today. I think you'll see a lot more hybrid types of lighting in the next few years.Yes, there are some hybrids out there but they are very expensive. I think LED's require more tweaking to get the proper spectrum to where corals are happy and thrive.
I think some people think they should be able to just hang a light over the tank and turn the dial and everything will be 100% okay. However, don't think you'll see a mass exodus of people going back to MH or T5 or a combo. Yes, some people are going back but on a large scale, I would guess more people are using LED's currently vs MH or T5. Again I have no facts but this is purely just a guess by reading the forums currently. I'm not sure you could accurately gauge how many people use a certain lighting tech.
I still love MH and T5 myself. I don't think LED's are the total solution yet, but I think in 5 years they will be even better than what we see today. I think you'll see a lot more hybrid types of lighting in the next few years.Yes, there are some hybrids out there but they are very expensive. I think LED's require more tweaking to get the proper spectrum to where corals are happy and thrive.
I think some people think they should be able to just hang a light over the tank and turn the dial and everything will be 100% okay. However, don't think you'll see a mass exodus of people going back to MH or T5 or a combo. Yes, some people are going back but on a large scale, I would guess more people are using LED's currently vs MH or T5. Again I have no facts but this is purely just a guess by reading the forums currently. I'm not sure you could accurately gauge how many people use a certain lighting tech.
Ron Reefman
Active member
I've used all 3 and over 4 tanks and 2 refugiums I now use all leds. It's not that there is anything wrong with MH or t5, but for me, the features of the led fixture like 6 channel color control, instant mode change from custom to sunny to all blue. sunrise/sunset control, no bulbs to replace, a very slimline case and virtually no heat are all advantages I want. I can live with deeper shadows and I don't have any 'disco ball effect'. And I don't care what anybody says, I only sell corals (mostly sps & lps) because they get too big for my tank!
MH look great, but there is no ability to adjust color without buying expensive bulbs, almost no ability to do any sunrise/sunset (and no ability to do a smooth one) and given I live in SW Florida, I really don't need the extra heat.
I don't have any statistics to back this up, but I'd bet money that more new systems get set up with leds than MH or t5. And that's a trend I see only getting more dominate in the future.
MH look great, but there is no ability to adjust color without buying expensive bulbs, almost no ability to do any sunrise/sunset (and no ability to do a smooth one) and given I live in SW Florida, I really don't need the extra heat.
I don't have any statistics to back this up, but I'd bet money that more new systems get set up with leds than MH or t5. And that's a trend I see only getting more dominate in the future.
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billdogg
Well-known member
What Ron said. Although I live in (not so sunny) Ohio, I don't miss the heat from other types of lighting. Both my DT and frag tanks are 100% LED, the only issue I have with them is that the DT is doing so well I've run out of room in the frag tank.
Wanna buy some frags? :wave:
SaguaroSteve
Moved On
I prefer LED's, due to less heat, energy used, and controllability. But with anything it's personal preference.
Thanks for the feedback, sorry if this has been beaten to death already. I only have a nano 10 gallon so I bought the AP Prime. Not sure I understand the app yet and cannot find any tutorial on it.
Considering buying a small pendant MH light for it but they are sooo pricey.
Considering buying a small pendant MH light for it but they are sooo pricey.
OldReefGuy
Well-known member
For 10G....stay with LED's.
monkeysee1
Member
I have the Current Orbit Marine Pro LED bar on my tank. They give then top of my tank a nice, sleek look. That's about it.
I've found that, as far as corals go, I can't keep krap with them. Or anemones. Not even softies. No clams. DEFINITELY NOT SPS.
That's ONE reason why my tank is FOWLR, baby!
The best technology in lighting if you want to go reef is the oldest: HALIDES!!!
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TheOtherDB
New member
PDX Reefer ...
Maybe there's something here that will help with your Prime ... ?
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2614692
Any deficit from using LEDs is more than compensated for over any other lighting approach, in my humble opinion of course...cost, power consumption, heat, color flexibility. I see every sort of coral under LEDs at my local fish store and across my home state, and have a pretty broad range of corals in my 35g using an older Prime ... not the HD. They are all doing quite well [SPS, LPS, Zoas, 'nems ..., growing ... yah ... I'll be keeping my LEDs.
Maybe there's something here that will help with your Prime ... ?
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2614692
Any deficit from using LEDs is more than compensated for over any other lighting approach, in my humble opinion of course...cost, power consumption, heat, color flexibility. I see every sort of coral under LEDs at my local fish store and across my home state, and have a pretty broad range of corals in my 35g using an older Prime ... not the HD. They are all doing quite well [SPS, LPS, Zoas, 'nems ..., growing ... yah ... I'll be keeping my LEDs.
GoVols
Cobb Webb - 1989
Get ya the new Kessil a80.
I've got a bigger reef and holding out for the Philips "Coral Care" to hit the US.
IMO: MH/T5 is still the gold standard in reef lighting.
Orr2003
New member
Yep
GoVols
Cobb Webb - 1989
TheOtherDB,PDX Reefer ...
Maybe there's something here that will help with your Prime ... ?
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2614692
Any deficit from using LEDs is more than compensated for over any other lighting approach, in my humble opinion of course...cost, power consumption, heat, color flexibility. I see every sort of coral under LEDs at my local fish store and across my home state, and have a pretty broad range of corals in my 35g using an older Prime ... not the HD. They are all doing quite well [SPS, LPS, Zoas, 'nems ..., growing ... yah ... I'll be keeping my LEDs.
I expect you to keep me laughing in 2017 :spin2:
Ron Reefman
Active member
I stated the other day, and I've seen others say it as well; leds seem to be far more popular than t5 or MH now, but I have no real statistics to prove it.
But then yesterday a catalog from Drs Foster & Smith showed up in my mailbox. It has 7 full pages with about 25 led fixtures listed, 1 page with just 2 t5 fluorescent fixtures listed and NO metal halide at all. That should tell you something!
But then yesterday a catalog from Drs Foster & Smith showed up in my mailbox. It has 7 full pages with about 25 led fixtures listed, 1 page with just 2 t5 fluorescent fixtures listed and NO metal halide at all. That should tell you something!
SFish
New member
Like it or not LED's are going to take over. The only drawback right now is it might take some tweaking to get them dialed in because you have so much control over them. Just the cost of not buying bulbs alone is an instant savings. LEDs are only getting better. I have seen lots of tanks with all kinds of coral running LEDs only. It is not the light that is the problem. I think metal halides are the worst option of all 3 styles because of the size and cost of them. I remember being at a friends house and seeing a set he had. It took up his whole canopy and he had to have the power box thing below which is big and clunky. How much does it cost for one MH bulb $50 or $70? You do the math...
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SFish
New member
PDX Reefer ...
Maybe there's something here that will help with your Prime ... ?
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2614692
Any deficit from using LEDs is more than compensated for over any other lighting approach, in my humble opinion of course...cost, power consumption, heat, color flexibility. I see every sort of coral under LEDs at my local fish store and across my home state, and have a pretty broad range of corals in my 35g using an older Prime ... not the HD. They are all doing quite well [SPS, LPS, Zoas, 'nems ..., growing ... yah ... I'll be keeping my LEDs.
+1 on this
sde1500
Active member
Out of general curiosity, if you don't keep a reef tank, how can you claim Halides are better? I know all of this thread is pure opinion based, but not sure how you could claim one light source is better than another to grow something you don't keep?
Personally I have only used LED's on my system, just turned one. I'm seeing decent growth out of most corals. Can't say one is superior to another, but I am pleased with my lighting.
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