what do we reefers use to light our tanks?

[freshstart2008]

i was just wondering what we use to light our tanks--so i decided to try a poll

mh only?
t-5 only?
vho only?
pc's only?
mh and t-5?
mh and vho?
mh and pc?

just wondering

 

[MrRyanT]

I use MH only, but you left off LED's which of course could be used for main lighting or moonlight simulation.

 

[pjbusby]

just PC here, for now anyway.

 

[just dave]

I like MH but LEDs are probably the future and I'm sure we will see a rapid development of that technology with the fluorescent light ban by EU countries ( Tungsten bulbs baned by 2012 and fluorescents by 2016.)

 

[Rendos]

I am a big fan of T5's. Low power consumption, great bulb selection, low heat. All in all a great option.

 

[ducklabdad]

I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To both what Richard and Dave have to say, they both Know there "STUFF"

I have T-5's and really like them on my 55, I like the color and the lower energy consumption as Richard said.

I also very much agree with Dave in the look and shimmer from MH is great but LED's will most probably be the wave of the future. I would really like to try them now but the cost of a good setup is very, very, prohibitive for a poor ole country boy like me.

You can do the DIY bit with LED,s and there are some good build threads out there, but I do not have 1000 extra hours to sit soldering and running little tiny wires. The cost of the LED systems has gone down considerably and I really feel it will come way down in the near future. (At least I hope so)!!!

 

[ihavtats29]

i have halides, t-5's and pc's between the 3 tanks

 

[alkamar]

PC only.

 

[Grendel0501]

I have one of the Odyssea MH/pc combo fixture.

If I ever get my tank up and running , I may gut out the pc's and put in a t5 retrofit.

 

[Reefdiver77]

250w MH on 2 tanks. 70W MH on 1 tank and straight pc on the 3 pico.

 

[Mako Shark II]

1 Hr. - 2 each Coralife 1w Moonlight LEDs, then off after the T-5’s fire.
- 10 Hrs. â€"œ 2 each, T-5 54w Giesemann (1) Power Chrome + (1) Pure Actinic, which remain illuminated until 1 Hr. after the MH’s kick off.
- 9 Hrs. â€"œ 2each, 250w 20,000k XM MH’s, w/ Coral-Vue electronic ballasts
- 1/2 Hr. later â€"œ the T-5's switch off, followed by
- 1 Hr. - 2 Coralife 1w Moonlight LED

Of course what do I know.... I've got a cyano infection....

 

[MarineFlake]

Vho's here, love the even coverage, energy efficient and ez to diy.

 

[Goibot]

T5's only - using 2 fixtures of Nova Extreme Pro's. Thats 12 tubes total.

 

[mempho reefer]

LEDs have suffered a huge setback due to a patent infringement lawsuit. PFO the primary manufacturer for the Solaris unit has shut down and isn't even servicing or honoring warranties on units that have already been sold which, many are finding, have some major issues.

http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/02/03/big-trouble-brewing-future-aquarium-leds/

This will likely cause other manufacturers to slow down or even cease production of their LED systems.

Orbitec, the company that holds the LED patent claims to be developing an LED unit for aquariums but they currently have nothing on the market as of yet. Here's a press release that was posted on their web site earlier this week.

http://www.orbitec.com/LEDaquarium.html

BTW, I use T-5s

 

[just dave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14342631#post14342631 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mempho reefer


This will likely cause other manufacturers to slow down or even cease production of their LED systems.

Only in the US and only as it pertains to aquarium and horticultural use. European and Asian companies will make aquarium units and they will be marketed in the US.

 

[PhilTheEel]

2 250w MH with 2 110w VHO's Super Actinic on my 55 and love the growth and colors i get.

 

[Mako Shark II]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14342631#post14342631 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mempho reefer
LEDs have suffered a huge setback due to a patent infringement lawsuit. PFO the primary manufacturer for the Solaris unit has shut down and isn't even servicing or honoring warranties on units that have already been sold which, many are finding, have some major issues.

http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/02/03/big-trouble-brewing-future-aquarium-leds/

This will likely cause other manufacturers to slow down or even cease production of their LED systems.

Orbitec, the company that holds the LED patent claims to be developing an LED unit for aquariums but they currently have nothing on the market as of yet. Here's a press release that was posted on their web site earlier this week.

http://www.orbitec.com/LEDaquarium.html

BTW, I use T-5s

See? You were listening to Joe Birch before the weather report.

I knew there was more to you just looking sideways while pointing behind you.

 

[mempho reefer]

Yeah Marty, LED lighting is a popular topic of conversation amongst most TV folk during commercial breaks.

 

[Mako Shark II]

LOL!:lolspin:

 

[mim37204]

I plan on LED's for my build, mainly for the startup cost for a "shallow" small footprint tank. Parts-priced-out, I can do a LED build for $250 or less. Vs buying a 20" sunpod and burning through bulbs over time, it seemed lime a much better option. Coupled with the ability to directly integrate it into the design of my microcontroller, and the ability to PAR equal to a MH without my roomate massacring me over a power bill; I was sold.