Supplemental Lighting- T-5 vs. LED

gofor100

gofor100

New member
Hey Guys,

I'm at a crossroads here... planning an upgrade (approximate dimensions will be 84"L X 36"D X 24"T) that will use 4X250-watt Metal Halides as the main lighting source (which I already have), but I'm planning on placing some supplemental lighting towards the front of the tank (because of how front-to-back deep the tank is) and want to see what the consensus is on which would make better supplemental lighting... T-5 or LED?

My main criteria is basically whatever one will make the colors "pop" more in the corals (I'll be keeping everything from SPS to Zoas to LPS) while running 14,000K MH bulbs (Phoenix bulbs to be exact).

If I go with T-5's, then it will likely be two 36" 4-bulb fixtures. However, I know that LED's are the latest and greatest "craze", but wasn't sure if they offer as much flexibility as far as bulb color and visual appeal as T-5's do (and if it is outweighed by any additional cost for an LED fixture).

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chad
 
I can't really say which will be better as I have limited experience with LED's but if I had to guess the LED's might get washed out by the halides even though LED's actually do put out a lot of light. Another thing to keep in mind is with all the heat the halides put out how will that adversely affect the LED's or their electronics.
 
schoch79 said:
I can't really say which will be better as I have limited experience with LED's but if I had to guess the LED's might get washed out by the halides even though LED's actually do put out a lot of light. Another thing to keep in mind is with all the heat the halides put out how will that adversely affect the LED's or their electronics.
Click to expand...

Those are great points. I guess this is kind of why I am leaning towards T-5 units since they will likely give me more flexibility as far as color enhancement (since I can play with colors of the 4-bulbs). Not to mention the heat build-up reducing the life of the LED bulbs.

Any other thoughts out there?

Thanks,

Chad
 
I thought that LED's would be washed out by halides but it's not true. I asked the question in the lighting, filtration and equipment forum before putting this light over my 240. Those are just 4, 3 watt royal blues. I'm using it as a test right now and after my results I will be adding two DIY 36 inch led's on each side of the reflectors. It is very noticeable when I turn on the led's after the halides are already on.


e12d1b0d.jpg
 
tcwayne said:
I thought that LED's would be washed out by halides but it's not true. I asked the question in the lighting, filtration and equipment forum before putting this light over my 240. Those are just 4, 3 watt royal blues. I'm using it as a test right now and after my results I will be adding two DIY 36 inch led's on each side of the reflectors. It is very noticeable when I turn on the led's after the halides are already on.


e12d1b0d.jpg
Click to expand...

I was actually thinking of doing something very similar... do you have the specs or any "step-by-step" threads anywhere?

Also, any tank pics that show the coloration you get with that set-up?

Thanks,

Chad
 
Yes, LEDs are not washed out by halides. There is a great difference in my color when they are off, and I am using very bright white halides. I use one ReefBrite 36" on my 4x2x2 tank. It does well, a second would be ideal, but I am about to switch completely to LEds with my own LED fixture anyways.

The cost for a couple LED strips is not going to be stupidly more than the T5s. But with those T5s, you will be repalcing $200 worth of bulbs at least once a year, more like every 10 months. Over 5 or 6 years, that is where the LEds will save you the money, plus less electric usage and heat, and also less of a PITA.
 
gofor100 said:
I was actually thinking of doing something very similar... do you have the specs or any "step-by-step" threads anywhere?

Also, any tank pics that show the coloration you get with that set-up?

Thanks,

Chad
Click to expand...

I just put it over the 240 on Saturday night. I'm moving everything over from my 120 this Saturday. So I'll see soon. Here's a link from a local guy that made that 4, 3 watt led in the center.


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1950575
 
The plan is to go back to 14k bulbs from the 20k radiums and supplement with the LED's. I want the growth back that I got from Aquaconnect 14k's.
 
James77 said:
Yes, LEDs are not washed out by halides. There is a great difference in my color when they are off, and I am using very bright white halides. I use one ReefBrite 36" on my 4x2x2 tank. It does well, a second would be ideal, but I am about to switch completely to LEds with my own LED fixture anyways.

The cost for a couple LED strips is not going to be stupidly more than the T5s. But with those T5s, you will be repalcing $200 worth of bulbs at least once a year, more like every 10 months. Over 5 or 6 years, that is where the LEds will save you the money, plus less electric usage and heat, and also less of a PITA.
Click to expand...

Well, I wasn't exactly looking to use only strips. I actually would have the MH fixtures (which are approx. 12"X12") placed towards the middle of the tank, then place either two 36" T-5 fixtures or 36" LED fixtures in the front of the tank. Then maybe place some strips with Blue LEDs in between the MH like tcwayne did above to act as moonlights (probably won't run all night, just an hour or so before and after the main lights come on- sunrise/sunset).

So when you start talking about 2 36" LED fixtures vs. 2 36" T-5, that's where I start seeing some price difference. But like you said, the long-term price difference sides with the LEDs.

Thanks for the input,

Chad
 
Anyone know how heat generated from the MH would effect the LEDs, and whether this would be any different than any effect on T-5's?

Thanks,

Chad
 
I'm told they don't like heat so I plan on installing two fans in the fixture. I've got to play with it a little. I may not need it at all. It all depends if the LED's will supplement the 14k well enough. Otherwise I'll do like you were saying, dusk till dawn effect. There's more than enough blue with just the radiums now.
Here's the light over the tank, what I'll do is take a pic with the LED's off and one with them on when I get home. Ignore the little that's in there, like I said I'm moving everything from my 120 this weekend.

00311b17.jpg
 
I can't tell a difference in the pics, definitely can in person. I'll have a better idea when I make the 36 inch ones and get the 14k bulbs.
 
T5 supplement lighting doesnt add as much shimmering nor pop as LEDS, not sure which is better for growth, or should we even care, since its not the main source of light.
 
Does anyone have any experience with how well LEDs penetrate the water when used as supplemental lighting?

My tank will be approximately 24" tall, and the LED's or T-5's at the front of the tank will probably be the main source of light for the corals/inverts towards the front of the tank (although I'm sure light from the MH will also indirectly reach these points), and I'm not sure if clams on the sandbed would be provided with sufficient light (since I've heard that LEDs do not have the same "penetration power" as some other lighting).

Just asking... even though it seems like LEDs might be the choice.

Thanks,

Chad
 
Okay... if no feedback on my last question, how about this...

What LED Fixtures (DIY or premade) are people using these days? Suggestions? I'd be looking for probably 2 36" fixtures or at least something that would cover approximately 84"L as supplements.

Thanks,

Chad
 
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