Which type of lighting?

[Gondore]

So after a four years away from the hobby I am back. I had a 90 gallon sps tank up for 4 years that did well. I initially ran mental halides and then T5s. I had success with both. I am now setting up a 48 x 30 x 22 rimless tank and trying to decide mh, t5 or led. Whatever I go with it needs to be a fixture. My primary goal is coloration and Then growth.

What fixture would you pick?

 

[toothman]

If you as me I would still put 2 400 watt 20k halide, electronic ballast , with 4 t5. You can get a million different answers to this question.

Led are very nice and you can not beat the timers. Just a bit harder to dial in. Especially if you are going rimless, led would look very nice.

 

[Guygettnby]

MH/T5 combo I feel gives the best of both worlds when it comes to color and growth, but I switched from that setup to LED and love them. I have noticed some differences between the 2, but I don't miss having to replace bulbs all the time, the extra heat and the extra energy cost.

 

[trueblackpercula]

Mitras LX 6200 HV LEDs

 

[Gondore]

MH/T5 combo I feel gives the best of both worlds when it comes to color and growth, but I switched from that setup to LED and love them. I have noticed some differences between the 2, but I don't miss having to replace bulbs all the time, the extra heat and the extra energy cost.

What leds are you running?

 

[Bill Nye]

Depends on your budget. The ATI hybrid Powermodules seem like the best of both worlds.

 

[Guygettnby]

What leds are you running?

Ocean revive arctic T247 and I'm using 2 of them. I have a thread reviewing them under the oceanrevive section and in the lighting section. Go there or search under my threads.

 

[vanbro1]

I just made the swit from 175w 20k MH and T5 to led. I went for 4 Kessil a360we over a 6' long and absolutely love them.

 

[rodneyri]

What are you trying to achieve?

Ive had MH+T5...Giesemann Infiniti, LED...Vertex Illumina, GHL Mitras, T5+LED...ATI Hybrid, T5...ATI Powermodule and currently Giesemann Matrixx2.

All were GREAT, had different results but had results. For some reason I tend to go back to T5. Im a fan of T5 because I like a fully lit tank, and the color is smooth. Its like the light floods all areas of the tank. And with tube combo you can get a look you like - Oh and my corals look the best under T5 with my tanks too.

 

[swk]

Which type of lighting?

I started off with leds and did well with Lps and Zoas, but I could never get the sticks that happy. Switched to an ati t5!and couldn't be happier. The fixture looks great hanging above a tank and the results speak for themselves.

If I were to venture to leds again it would be the ati hybrid or simply adding reef brite strips to my current dimmable sunpower

Incidentally - around here I see people having most success with radions and hydra 52s. Just my observation.

 

[trueblackpercula]

I am getting good color and great growth with my LEDs

 

[sahin]

Mitras LX 6200 HV LEDs

Sorry but out of all the 100% LED fixtures out there, this is one that I would NOT go for.

I have seen very good SPS colouration from Ecotech Radion's and AI hydra52's. Havent seen anything worth talking about from tanks lit with the Mitras. I like my German reefing products, but this is one light I just havent seen good SPS colours; either in person or online.

If I were to go for 100% LED it would be Radions or Hydra52's.

I use the ATI LED Powermodule myself, but my main preference for lighting where cost and heat isn't the main issue would be a mixture of Halide, supplemented by T5 ATI Blue+ and then topped off with Royal Blue LED's.The Royal Blue LED's are not essential, but nothing beats the crazy pop from those little LED's. T5+MH combo cant be beat for great SPS colours and light coverage. Unless one was going for a purely single lighting system, I would always try and include T5's for the light coverage and "fill in" factor.

 

[rovster]

I have Radions over my tank and they work. Color and growth is there. If I had to do it all over again, I'd get a Spectra, add some blue LEDs and call it a day, LOL! Its too soon to tell. I've had success with both LED and Halide. Never tried T5 but have seen them in action and they do look nice. Light is very even and profuse. I'm not giving up on my LEDs yet. I'll give it a year and re-evaluate. Personally, I believe success with SPS has more to do with water quality and management of that than lighting, although I do believe lighting plays a significant role. Hope this doesn't confuse you any more. Bottom line, check out all the options, weigh out the pros and cons, and make your decision. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, its just figuring out what compromises you are willing to live with.