Led vs t5. Are they really worth it?

[stlcard]

Hey guys, I know this has been debated a thousand fold on the main site, but I'd like to hear thoughts from locals. I've been debating moving from t5 (2x39w + 2x24w + 1 trulumen pro led strip actinic 20") to -> 24 Cree DIY setup from rapid led.

Are LEDs really worth it? Will I notice a considerable difference in coral growth?

I hate the "disco ball" effect. Too much shimmer on the sand bed tends to be dizzying for me. ... But I guess we all can adjust.

Is it better t clump DIY LEDs into pods like radions? Or just run as strips on a long heat sink? Would it be better or worse to use 80 degree optics? I understand color banding, but don't want to sacrifice par. My tank is not very deep. 16" I believe. Could I go without optics?

Is anyone wishing they hadn't ditched halide or t5s?

Right now, disco ball effect is the only thing holding me back.. Should I just suck it up? Btw I have a 33 mixed reef. But I want to move towards sps dominated.

 

[Blindside]

halide. I run kessils on frag tanks but halides still too tough to beat. my .02

 

[BassandReef]

I have been using LEDs exclusively every since I started my saltwater tank. I had T5s on my freshwater tank.

This is my experience. LEDs are not better that halides or T5s. They are simply different. They are convenient, cheaper to operate, and extremely flexible. They run cool, and my corals do fine under them. I have received corals from other tanks and if the tank was running halides, the colors change under LEDs. Tanks that run T5s don't really look different in my tank. Now that my intensity is up to 65% my corals are really coming to life.

The nice thing now is that a lot of corals are coming from tanks running LEDs. Now I truly get WYSIWYG.

In a weak moment, I considered going back to T5s, but once I really learned how to tune my LEDs, I am happy with them.

Be sure to get dimmable LEDs, I went through 3 LED systems. I should have gotten the dimmable LEDs in the first place.

I run 2 AI Sol blues. I will likely add one more for better coverage in my 48" tank.

I currently run my Sols. 35% white. 25% blue 65% royal blue.

 

[stlcard]

thanks guys. Anyone please chime in as well.

 

[jabo]

Do you research and spend the money to get good ones. AI or ecotech

 

[Reef264]

If I was going to grow SPS under an LED light, there would be 2 fixtures that I would believe could match up or potentially Surpass Metal Halides in Growth and Color.

1.Ecotech Radion

2.GHL Mitras

I am sure others can Grow SPS successfully, but those are the 2 fixtures I have put thought into.

T-5's, the TEK light seems to be the best, they have the best reflector design by far, and the Fixture can flat grow Colorful SPS Corals.

I currently run 20k Metal Halides and am sticking with them for now, I get great Color and Growth out of my Acro's, Monti's and my LPS seem to triple in size every Month.

-Cody

 

[69SSLS6]

I switched from two 250 watt MH with 4 PCs. I now have to A350 Kessils on a 150 bow front. I did add one 36" blue led strip. I really like the look of the light. The corals are all doing great. I did have to arrange a couple to adjust. Mostly down. Strange though, the anemonoes seem to have moved upward. I know longer have to run fans or a chiller in the day and a heater at night. Just the heaters and the lights. It really cleaned up the look of the tank