Lighting Help

[tntdsol]

I am in the process of setting up a SPS 40 breeder. Over the past couple weeks I got a deal and 2 diffent light options(and of course I bought both). Now I am unsure which to go with.
36" 6Bulb Tek Fixture
Bulbs - ATI Blue+ x 4
KZ Fiji Purple
GE 6500K

AND

2x eShine 60w cree dimmable fixtures.

I have seen both these fixtures and setups get great reviews. My question is which would you go with and why. Keep in mind I have already bought both and have them in my possession.

Thanks
TNT

 

[Mark Bianco]

IMHO I like led's especialy the ones that are dimmable. What happens in some cases people will just blast the corals at 100% causing corals to bleach and or die. Led's to the eye seem dimmer then other forms of lighting, but when in reality the par readings are more then what our eyes precieves them.

I switched to led's and started at 15% then each week moved them up by 10%. I currently run them at 50% and have no plans on going any higher. The light for my eyes are just as bright as my former fixture of MH / PC combo All corals and clams are doing great.

A couple of other issues the cost of running led's are less considering the wattage needed and the heat may or not be a factor. Not to mention the cost of yearly bulb replacement for T5. If you can belive the manufactors specs of led's have a life of 50,000 hours and you run the lights for 10 hours a day the led's will last 13.6 years...

Please T5 owners don't think I am bad mouthing T5 they are great fixtures as well.

Hope that helps and did not confuse.

Mark

 

[tntdsol]

Thanks for the info. I am going to try both and see which I like better. I have a feeling I am going to go with LEDs.

 

[kieffer_5]

tek fixture will be reliable and easy to change out bulbs if youre feeling different colors or whatever

leds are cool too just cause the dimming and effects
either way youre in good shape but i say tek and if you wanna sell it send me a pm

 

[tntdsol]

PM sent