I'll offer up what you need to consider if you want to buy an led system. MH & t5 systems work just as well, maybe even a bit better for growing coral, but they have drawbacks like heat, bulb replacement, lack of easy color control, use a bit more electricity and lack of sunrise/sunset control (except for one t5 fixture which is pretty expensive. I live in Florida and don't need more heat in the house, I hate the hassle and cost of buying new bulbs (I have 4 tanks and 2 refugiums) and I really like being able to have all kinds of color control at my finger tips (a remote) rather than having to change bulbs (t5 and MH). But that's just me, you may not feel the same way.
There are several questions regarding led fixtures that you need to answer, then you can get some real help.
The first point about led fixtures is: beware of fixtures that use less than 3 watt leds. There are a few brands out there that use 0.5 watt leds and they are OK for 12” deep tanks and maybe even 18” deep tanks with easy, low light corals.
Questions:
1) Do you want 1 or 2 long fixtures (up to 48”) or are more shorter fixtures (16") or multiple pendant fixtures OK with you?
2) Do you want hanging fixtures or do you want fixtures with legs? And do you have a canopy over the tank?
3) Do you have a budget in mind?
4) There are basic Chinese black box led fixtures (2 channel color control and manual dimmers) which need timers from the hardware store ($10 each) to turn them on/off. Chinese black boxes work very well, grow coral very well and come in several sizes. MarsAqua, GalaxyHydro, Euphotica, and more. ($100ea. to $200ea.)
5) There are a few that have built-in timers to turn the 2 different channels (white & blue) on and off. They also offer digital dimmer ability (not sunrise/sunset control, just like dimmer knobs only digital) Ocean Revive, Reef Breeders, ViparSpecta. ($140ea. to $200ea.)
6) Do you want sunrise/midday/sunset/moonlight control? These come in several sizes. At this level you can still get a less expensive black box or spend a bit more and get a better looking fixture (just remember, good looks don’t help coral grow). Euphotica. ($250 to $400)
7) Do you want more than 2 channel color control (like 6 or 8 channels)? These have sunrise/sunset ability as well. Reef Breeders, Aqua Illumination, Maxspect, Eco Tech. ($300 to $900+)
8) Is a remote control good enough to set the lights or do you want WiFi or a computer to help set the lights?
9) Do you want an led/t5 fluorescent hybrid fixture? They work very well for growing coral but there are very few currently being made and they are crazy expensive. Pacific Sun is the only one I know.
If you are just getting started, I'd go basic Chinese black box and keep it simple. Especially if you are using a canopy so what the fixture looks like is far less important than if it is exposed over the top of a pretty reef tank for everybody to see. They can grow any kind of coral in your tank, even at 30" deep. Once you know better what you are going to keep and you figure out what features you really want, then buy what you want and sell the used ones (or hang on to them as backups).
BTW, none of the features discussed above grow coral any better than the inexpensive Chinese black boxes with 3 watt leds (98% true IMHO). They give you the ability to make the tank look better (for your pleasure), but do very, VERY little if anything for the coral.
I like the control of sunrise/midday/sunset/moonlight because I'm home a lot and I like to watch the tank change as the day progresses. And I like having 6 channels of color control so I can fine tune the look in my tank. A simple remote is all I need to set my lights, I don't care about WiFi or computer help setting them. I also have a fairly good budget so I could afford $900 for 2 fixtures ($600 for the big one and $300 for the small one... when they were on sale).
Did I need these to grow healthy coral? Heck no. I used Chinese black boxes over my previous tanks that cost way less and they grew coral just as good as my new, more expensive ones. And mine are FAR from the most expensive. I’d need at least 2 and more likely 3 Eco Tech Radions at $900 each (that's right... $2700 total) and they won't grow coral any better either!
And there is no best fixture. People who tell you their's is the best are really telling you their's is the best for them. But it could be way off the mark for you.
You need to buy what is best for you.
