Lighting dilemma.... (T5 vs LED)

[Mussin]

Slowly moving forward on my 90G build.. Lighting..... No MH for me, Ive narrowed it down to A nice quality T5 set-up (tek or ATI) or led units.. In my tank I have no plans for SPS corals. Mostly softies, lps, maybe clam ect. ect. I know the leds are more money up front but how much would they save me monthly over a T5 set-up? How many bulb set-up would I need for a 90G (4,6 or 8) in T5? Maybe give me a list of pros/cons of each? I plan on running the Ebay Cina LEDs if I go that route.

Any T5ers on here???

Thanks

Jeremy

 

[gonebad395]

there are pleanty of t5ers out here i have a 4 bulb t5 jbj unit on my 55 gallon and keep everything in it clams, sps, lps and softies. Im building a 75 gallon and am ordering a tek 6 bulb unit with Ati bulbs and im sure ill be able to grow anything in it also. Leds are great if you want to fork over the money for them alot of my friends have Leds and their tanks look great the shimmer is awsome. But for me and for the time being im staying with the tried and true T5s. As for saving money sure leds you dont have to replace bulbs every 6 to 8 months but they are also double sometimes triple initial cost so there are pros and cons all the way around

 

[60Cubed]

I was an old school MH guy then forced myself into t-5s. I've been outta the hobby for about 2.5yrs and getting back into the hobby and going with LEDs. I've read a lot about them and am amazed at what they have accomplished with the technology in 2+ yrs!!!! Getting the apex controller. It had just come out when I got out. Wanted to wait it out anyway for them to get the bugs worked out of it. I cant wait to get everything in and get my tank back up and running with all the new technology in this new equipment. Really looking forward to it.

BTW I love T-5 lighting. Had two IC 660's pushing 8 36" bulbs. Awesome color and could keep anything alive. But they use more electricity than LEDs and u gotta replace the bulbs about every 6months or so. They use less than halides but a lot more than LEDs! I think the long term savings make the upfront cost of LEDs a better investment IMHO.

Lance

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

Read a bunch of the threads on leds. Some like them and some don't.

You can't go wrong with good ATI or Tek T5 lighting. The T5 bulbs should last around 12 months in a good fixture like the ATI before you need to change them out.

 

[sjfishguy]

If you aren't going to go SPS I would go with the chinese LEDS no question. Its probably similar cost to the ATI fixture for that size setup anyway and no bulb changes and much more efficient.