Led vs t5

[King Nikon]

I've been using LEDs for years now over all my tanks. I'm happy with them, color is great, growth is good, and the price point is amazing. It costs more to start up, but within a few months they pay for themselves in less energy usage and then in the long run of having no bulbs to change it's awesome. There's no need for a chiller either, just a fan keeps the tank nice and cool even on a hot day with no A/C in your house.

I have 5 tanks running and my electric bill is less than $70 a month (unless we had a TV or PC heavy month then it goes up to about $85-90), and it's all thanks to LEDS.

A lot of people say you are missing some of the spectrum with LEDS, and this is true. But if you build your LED array right, you can get really close now.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

I do have both as well.





Note if you do want to mount like mine you need to custom order Reefbrite stip as the power modules are 1.5" shorter than the Reefbrite strip that corisponds to your length.

I know Mike I still need to cut you out a set

I'm running 270w LEDs and 320w t5s.

What are u running? Aren't those led fixtures not that bright? (I'm not dissing them, I'm just wondering if u even notice them with 6-8t5s on?). I could probably do another 40leds to make my fixture perfect


Also what is that first t5 bulb in the pic? It looks really dark blue. Or is it purple?


Hot Dogs are Good!

 

[solitude127]

I'm running 270w LEDs and 320w t5s.

What are u running? Aren't those led fixtures not that bright? (I'm not dissing them, I'm just wondering if u even notice them with 6-8t5s on?). I could probably do another 40leds to make my fixture perfect


Also what is that first t5 bulb in the pic? It looks really dark blue. Or is it purple?


Hot Dogs are Good!

I'm pretty sure it's an actinic

 

[pciscott]

The Reefbrites are under driven 3 watt Leds and with 6 bulbs you can still see the Pop, infact I peeled a few Acros when I added them and underestimated their intensity. The front bulb is a UVL Super Actinic, low par, but reminds me of VHO. They make my chalice corals extra happy and I highly recommend them. I only run the Reefbrites for 1 hour in the morning and 3 at night, the last 2 hours Led only. My new 400 has 20 48" T5 bulbs and 225 watts of Reefbrite XHO led's. I believe in the actinic pop, but grow my coral under T5.

 

[christygirl]

Well, I have to tell all of you that I value your opinions and I have really been going back and forth about this

I have experience with t5 and my fixture is only a 6 bulb aquatic life fixture with 2 LED strips for moonlight type of light. I have had great experience with it.

Then, anyone who has seen mike's tank (solitude) just simply can't argue with his success.

I have been really looking at the ATI fixtures. They make a nice dimmable fixture, but not in a 60" fixture.

So I looked at the sun power fixtures. They have a 60" 6 lamp and 8 lamp fixture. Reasonable price as well.

Scott, I like your idea with adding the LED strips.

I am leaning towards t5 again. Hard to decide.

The thing is, I really want to go SPS with a few zoas ricordeas and acans.

Many of you really seem to trust the t5 fixture for SPS.

I really do appreciate the info and the discussion.

Stay tuned to my build.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

If u plan on keeping SPS, I think long term u will be happier with t5s. (Or a hybrid). I think color and growth will be a lot better.



Hot Dogs are Good!

 

[NVTE]

Well, I have to tell all of you that I value your opinions and I have really been going back and forth about this

I have experience with t5 and my fixture is only a 6 bulb aquatic life fixture with 2 LED strips for moonlight type of light. I have had great experience with it.

Then, anyone who has seen mike's tank (solitude) just simply can't argue with his success.

I have been really looking at the ATI fixtures. They make a nice dimmable fixture, but not in a 60" fixture.

So I looked at the sun power fixtures. They have a 60" 6 lamp and 8 lamp fixture. Reasonable price as well.

Scott, I like your idea with adding the LED strips.

I am leaning towards t5 again. Hard to decide.

The thing is, I really want to go SPS with a few zoas ricordeas and acans.

Many of you really seem to trust the t5 fixture for SPS.

I really do appreciate the info and the discussion.

Stay tuned to my build.

Randy. You can get away with 48" fixture on 60" tank.
here is my old 150 (60") with 48" ATI fixture no LED. LED will make color pop more.

 

[solitude127]

T5s are tried an trued. Once they stop coming out with new LEDs and new LED fixtures every month, then I'd consider switching. IMO, the LED technology is still evolving and you're going to see many changes in the near future.

Also, according to ReefGeek, the reason why they don't make a 60" dimmable fixture is because there's not a good dimmable ballast for 60" bulbs

 

[solitude127]

I do have both as well.

Those are nice

 

[29reef]

For 2 years I have been running a pair of IC660s on 8x54w for my 4' 150 and I just got an ATI 8x54w PM for it, like many of the others in this thread I will be adding LED to it eventually. The t5 put out crazy even par without having it so high off the tank. With the LED the dark spots you get with the AI and Ecotech lights are lame IMO. I'm going to stick with T5 because even if you factor in the "savings" the fixture will be obsolete and possibly broken by the time you've made up the up front cost of buying complete spectrum LED modules.

I keep an sps dominate system.

 

[Jmason95]

I'm considering switching from my halides to the new ATI hybrid T5/Led fixture.

Does anyone have an opinion on this fixture vs going with a SP fixture and adding Reefbrites to it as Pciscott has done? Cost wise it's about the same. I'm just looking to add some shimmer to the T5's. I figure I'll just go with the new hybrid fixture but I'm curious if there's an advantage to doing it one way or another.

TIA...

 

[solitude127]

I'm considering switching from my halides to the new ATI hybrid T5/Led fixture.

Does anyone have an opinion on this fixture vs going with a SP fixture and adding Reefbrites to it as Pciscott has done? Cost wise it's about the same. I'm just looking to add some shimmer to the T5's. I figure I'll just go with the new hybrid fixture but I'm curious if there's an advantage to doing it one way or another.

TIA...

I saw the ATI hybrid at Reefapalooza last year and it's very nice. The interface to control the lighting is pretty detailed as well.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Yep. I'd go with the ATI led powermodule. The LEDs are probably more powerful which will equal more shimmer.


Hot Dogs are Good!

 

[westminsterfrag]

Everyone talks about saving on their electricity bill and not having to use a chiller. Doesn't it work the same way around that we dont have to run the heater all day during the winter? My bill went up by 15$/ month during the winter while running 8 54w 8 hours a day. I was using a 200w heater.

 

[keepLearning]

Depending on your usage. $15 if you are in Tier 2 or lower. $30 more if you cross into Tier 3. Will cost $60 if you cross to tier5.

I use the heater in the winter and that 500W blower is pushing me into Tier 3 right away.

Vu

Everyone talks about saving on their electricity bill and not having to use a chiller. Doesn't it work the same way around that we dont have to run the heater all day during the winter? My bill went up by 15$/ month during the winter while running 8 54w 8 hours a day. I was using a 200w heater.

 

[turtlespd]

Everyone talks about saving on their electricity bill and not having to use a chiller. Doesn't it work the same way around that we dont have to run the heater all day during the winter? My bill went up by 15$/ month during the winter while running 8 54w 8 hours a day. I was using a 200w heater.

Well, logically one would think. It is a lot cheaper to heat a tank cause your house temp is usually around 78 anyways. Many run their tanks cooler in the winter and a little warmer in the summers. I know guys who don't even run heaters cause they keep their homes at 78. I run my tank 77 in the winter and 83 in the summer. This helps the me keep things affordable.

 

[pciscott]

I would have to run 2 4 ton units all night to heat my house to 78 in the winter, I keep my thermostat at 72 and have them kick on for a hour in the morning to take the chill off the house. I used to keep them set at 76, but that buried me about $200 into tier 5. I have the same problem in the hot months of the summer with AC, and we do tend to sacrifice tier 5 to keep the house cool in July and August. My tank heaters spin the meter pretty good and I have often thought of building a natural gas water heater heat exchanger system to heat the tanks. A long loop of thin wall Pex style tubing with a special pump on a controller to flow water through this coil of pipe in the sump. This is how Steve Garret keeps over 2000 gallons heated in his outdoor system and is much more efficient than electric heat. I think many of us do not realize how often the heaters are on, the controller log opened my eyes for sure. Anyways I just bought over $2500 in Led bulbs for my house and dropped my bill about $200 a month so I can use a little more power on my fishy friends. I like the Spectrum of the Ecosmart 2700k in the house and replaced 89 50 watt bulbs with 10 watt Led, and 22 90 watts with 18 watt units. You cant look at the bulbs because they are much more harsh, but they light the house quite nice. I long for the days of a $20 swing in the bill, mine can have a $500 swing.

 

[keepLearning]

Hi Scott,

So why have you not gone to solar? You seem to be the perfect candidate for that. You might need 2 sets of solar due to the size of the house

Vu

I would have to run 2 4 ton units all night to heat my house to 78 in the winter, I keep my thermostat at 72 and have them kick on for a hour in the morning to take the chill off the house. I used to keep them set at 76, but that buried me about $200 into tier 5. I have the same problem in the hot months of the summer with AC, and we do tend to sacrifice tier 5 to keep the house cool in July and August. My tank heaters spin the meter pretty good and I have often thought of building a natural gas water heater heat exchanger system to heat the tanks. A long loop of thin wall Pex style tubing with a special pump on a controller to flow water through this coil of pipe in the sump. This is how Steve Garret keeps over 2000 gallons heated in his outdoor system and is much more efficient than electric heat. I think many of us do not realize how often the heaters are on, the controller log opened my eyes for sure. Anyways I just bought over $2500 in Led bulbs for my house and dropped my bill about $200 a month so I can use a little more power on my fishy friends. I like the Spectrum of the Ecosmart 2700k in the house and replaced 89 50 watt bulbs with 10 watt Led, and 22 90 watts with 18 watt units. You cant look at the bulbs because they are much more harsh, but they light the house quite nice. I long for the days of a $20 swing in the bill, mine can have a $500 swing.

 

[pciscott]

I would need a 20KW system and my cut up roof will not support it, as there is little roof facing South. I have had several guys out, and they all move on after seeing my roof and my bill.

My average bill is $770 with added Medical Baseline, I think with me converting to all LED lights in the house and taming the thermostat with some new trick Nest thermostats. I can cut that down to $500, and when I dump the garage system that eats up the heat in the winter and the chiller in the summer I can drop another $100 off the bill. I have been buried in tier 5 ever since I got in this hobby and going from 3 seperate systems to 1 large system should save me as well.

I have a large home with 4 children burning the lights and going LED in the house lights I think shaved off more than solar would have at a fraction of the cost.

 

[dwolson2]

If you were to go solar though, even if it didn't completely cover your usage, wouldn't it at least drop you teirs?