OK.I've had a 6 bulb T5 hood for past 6-7 years. Worked great and all I did was change bulbs every 1.5 years. Now my middle 3 sockets broke/died so I only have 3 working (1 actinc and 2 12K). I opened it up, switched out bulbs --no go, they're dead jim. The fish seem happy but apparently not enough light for the few leathers I had and they slowly died off. (Tank is a 36x18x24" 65g high).
Well, I am putting time back into my tank and am considering getting 1 or 2 LED fixtures to replace the dying T5 hood. I will eventually start restocking it with softs/leathers (as I like them).
The cheap and medium priced fixtures dont list the PAR values-- only the higher end ones BUT those are out of my price range. Most are multi color LEDs. Only a few say saltwater use, most are advert as freshwater use. What is the difference? I've also heard that too much LED lighting can burn out corals -- what's the correct amount for a tank my size.
Or... should I not bother and take the old t5 hood completely apart and try to replace the connectors.(I still have 3 new bulbs + the 6 that are still in the unit).
Thanks for all your help.
Well, I am putting time back into my tank and am considering getting 1 or 2 LED fixtures to replace the dying T5 hood. I will eventually start restocking it with softs/leathers (as I like them).
The cheap and medium priced fixtures dont list the PAR values-- only the higher end ones BUT those are out of my price range. Most are multi color LEDs. Only a few say saltwater use, most are advert as freshwater use. What is the difference? I've also heard that too much LED lighting can burn out corals -- what's the correct amount for a tank my size.
Or... should I not bother and take the old t5 hood completely apart and try to replace the connectors.(I still have 3 new bulbs + the 6 that are still in the unit).
Thanks for all your help.
