kidkaos520
New member
I am setting up a 40 breeder and am going to use a reef radiance dm155-e and plan to supplement it with some t5. I don't know if I should use 2 bulbs or 4. Anyone have experience that can help.:bounce2:
zoa lighting
- Thread starter kidkaos520
- Start date
A. Grandis
Active member
I would use only T5s. All the way!
Get the best fixture you can afford, perhaps the dimmable ATI. :thumbsup:
The more coverage the better. Maybe a 6 bulb, 24inch fixture?
:bounce1::bounce3::bounce2:
Grandis.
Get the best fixture you can afford, perhaps the dimmable ATI. :thumbsup:
The more coverage the better. Maybe a 6 bulb, 24inch fixture?
:bounce1::bounce3::bounce2:
Grandis.
kidkaos520
New member
I was thinking that but I could have I swore I read somewhere that t5 led combo is good. However I have had great results with just t5 on previous tanks. I want my zoas to be at their best. Also this will be in a canopy if that makes a difference.
A. Grandis
Active member
No, it doesn't make a difference. It can be in a canopy. My ATI dimmable is in a canopy. The dimmable ATI is less expensive, has the nice cooling system with fans, isn't that heavy, and has the computer with dimmable features. Very nice!! No problems. I've got another Power Module ATI in a canopy as well, and one more ATI PM with no canopy. It doesn't matter, as long as you leave some space for air circulation. The fans need to have fresh air so it can cool the bulbs/fixture. You could help your canopy with an external little fan directing the air inside the canopy too.
We all read somewhere... They can say what they want. That's the free speech we've got, and it's good... You have to grab info and decide for yourself.
If they buy an expensive LED system, you would think they have to say it's good at least for a while, right? They try to convince themselves too, you know...
Too much money for a fairly new type of system IMO (began in 2006/07 for aquariums ?). It is still hard (or perhaps impossible) to find a LED system that you can say it's better than T5 and/or MHs, period.
I've been talking to lots of people and asking questions about the LEDs for a while...
At least I don't know of any, do you? Better then t5/MH? I ask this question and nobody would be able to tell me the LEDs are actually better for the long run, besides saving money for electricity and the computer stuff associated with those expensive fixtures. But it's fun, has *thunders*, *clouds*, *colors*, and everyone has his/her own choice. I'm just telling you mine. :thumbsup:
Another thing people say is about the shimmering, but MHs have that too, so...
For zoas the best is still T5s IMO. There is a huge ability of spectrum combination with T5s too. That's a plus! T5 light is very uniform. No comparison with any of the LEDs I've seen. Even if you make your own fixture, it's not going to be better than the T5s. Sorry.
The T5s I'm talking about are the HO T5s.
There is a hype for the LEDs in the market *$$$$*. Truth spoken! Almost every week we see a bunch of new stuff coming out for LEDs. Hopefully one day soon the will figure out and finally get what we need. Too many choices and prices, but nothing actually better than the T5s/MHs yet.
In regards to the PM: The difference between the retrofit kits and ATI fixtures is the way the ATI is built for the better performance of the bulbs, with the particular cooling system (channels for more efficiency). If you've got the money to invest... No regrets!
There are many more people going back to T5 and/or MHs from LEDs than the other way around. Have you noticed that? Why? :reading:
I hope others can find some time to give their own opinions here too.
I want to hear about their experiences with the LEDs and comparison for long periods of time please, as aways...
Please search for that...
By the way, I do not sell fixtures nor bulbs. :hmm5:
I do wish my electricity bill could be cheaper, but I don't want to give to my zoas less than I do now.
It isn't my intention to bring any type of crazy discussion or arguments here, of course. My opinions towards T5s and/or MHs is just the way I see. If you've heard me before you know...
Just my US$.02.
Cheers,
Grandis.
:beer:
We all read somewhere... They can say what they want. That's the free speech we've got, and it's good... You have to grab info and decide for yourself.
If they buy an expensive LED system, you would think they have to say it's good at least for a while, right? They try to convince themselves too, you know...
Too much money for a fairly new type of system IMO (began in 2006/07 for aquariums ?). It is still hard (or perhaps impossible) to find a LED system that you can say it's better than T5 and/or MHs, period.
I've been talking to lots of people and asking questions about the LEDs for a while...
At least I don't know of any, do you? Better then t5/MH? I ask this question and nobody would be able to tell me the LEDs are actually better for the long run, besides saving money for electricity and the computer stuff associated with those expensive fixtures. But it's fun, has *thunders*, *clouds*, *colors*, and everyone has his/her own choice. I'm just telling you mine. :thumbsup:
Another thing people say is about the shimmering, but MHs have that too, so...
For zoas the best is still T5s IMO. There is a huge ability of spectrum combination with T5s too. That's a plus! T5 light is very uniform. No comparison with any of the LEDs I've seen. Even if you make your own fixture, it's not going to be better than the T5s. Sorry.
The T5s I'm talking about are the HO T5s.
There is a hype for the LEDs in the market *$$$$*. Truth spoken! Almost every week we see a bunch of new stuff coming out for LEDs. Hopefully one day soon the will figure out and finally get what we need. Too many choices and prices, but nothing actually better than the T5s/MHs yet.
In regards to the PM: The difference between the retrofit kits and ATI fixtures is the way the ATI is built for the better performance of the bulbs, with the particular cooling system (channels for more efficiency). If you've got the money to invest... No regrets!
There are many more people going back to T5 and/or MHs from LEDs than the other way around. Have you noticed that? Why? :reading:
I hope others can find some time to give their own opinions here too.
I want to hear about their experiences with the LEDs and comparison for long periods of time please, as aways...
Please search for that...
By the way, I do not sell fixtures nor bulbs. :hmm5:
I do wish my electricity bill could be cheaper, but I don't want to give to my zoas less than I do now.
It isn't my intention to bring any type of crazy discussion or arguments here, of course. My opinions towards T5s and/or MHs is just the way I see. If you've heard me before you know...
Just my US$.02.
Cheers,
Grandis.
:beer:
Last edited:
kidkaos520
New member
Very good post. Makes me a lil sad I had a RR led fixture come in today.
nanoreefer1000
Active member
LED's are great, especially with proper spectrum. JMO I'd take my Razor over my Halide ANY day. I can only imagine an Evil Cluster.
A. Grandis
Active member
Yes, I've heard about that too!
Some people say that when you move the corals or zoas just a bit makes a big difference. That's a hard and risky way to do reefing, I would think.
Grandis.
A. Grandis
Active member
What would you think the "proper spectrum", say for the Razor, would be?
What metal halides do you have and for how long?
How long do you have LEDs?
Why do you think the Razor IS better than your halide?
Aren't your zoas growing like crazy under the halides?
What halides do you have?
Do you know anyone that has experiences with the Evil Cluster?
Thanks,
Grandis.
charliet21
New member
Just my info.... I had a DIY led with creeds. Ran i:worried: for about 3 months and sold it. In my opinion led wash out corals. I took a pic when I first hung my LEDs. Then I took a pic 3 months later. The following day I went back to my mh. Now I will add this some things look better under LEDs. But just because they look better doesn't mine it is better. Met halide and t5 are tried and true. Led aren't there yet maybe another 5 yrs.... Who knows...
palygirl
New member
For those interested in the science behind the evolution of LEDs and the drive to match the spectrum produced by MHs, Sanjay Joshi has a group of articles in Advanced Aquarist Magazine reviewing different lights. His most recent article reviews GHL Mitras, Echotech Radion Pros, and AI Hydras. The article can be found at:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/8/review
I've been growing my zoa dominated reef under a diy LED fixture for approximately a year. I've got great growth, color that pleases my eye, and a electric bill that works for me. I'm fortunate that my husband has done extensive reading on the subject and put together a fixture for me that holds the variety of LEDs I need to match the spectrum produced by MHs
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/8/review
I've been growing my zoa dominated reef under a diy LED fixture for approximately a year. I've got great growth, color that pleases my eye, and a electric bill that works for me. I'm fortunate that my husband has done extensive reading on the subject and put together a fixture for me that holds the variety of LEDs I need to match the spectrum produced by MHs
A. Grandis
Active member
I would really appreciate if your husband could publish here the combo he uses to match the spectrum produced by MHs. And please tell us what was the spectrum chosen. Would be great if he also could tell us some info on the DIY LED fixture he built for your zoas. I really like to learn anything related to zoa keeping and that would be great!! Other info like: size tank, number of LEDs, wattage, photoperiod, etc... would be really good to know. That type of info will also help other zoa keepers with LEDs.
That is a great article!! Thanks for posting!!
I have a great respect for Dr. Sanjay.
I do want to invest in LEDs, but want to have something as good as MHs or T5s, or even better, spending much less electricity.
It doesn't make sense to me to invest lots of money now and still have to figure out what would be the best way to deal with it, testing on my zoas, once there is not really a set proven schedule to be the safest and with the full coverage for the tanks. Those fixtures don't have a coverage like the T5s. If you want full coverage you need to buy lots of them and use only a fraction of the power, as we know.
The conclusion of the article was:
"Conclusion
LED lighting has come a long way and the new generation of LED fixtures is delivering on the promise of LED technology, and control features. As usual, the users need to consider their own applications to determine the best one for the situation. Hopefully this data will be helpful in making your decisions."
That article is a tremendous help for those who want to venture into the LED world, but still doesn't tell me that the LEDs are better than MHs and/or HO T5s. The article also helps the people who has LEDs to understand about the graphics related to light for reef tanks.
Besides, with all the weekly "inventions", all we do today is to test equipment and spend the money when buying LEDs. Generally speaking, we get more frustrated with the LED failures and knowing that days from now there will be a "better deal" or "updated fixture" just to overrule the one we just got? Tests, tests and more tests. Sorry, that's how I feel. Nothing really solid for now. But it's all valid, right? That is what will bring the real deal, I guess. I just don't have the money and time to be part of it (and I don't think many do) and won't risk loosing my zoas either. That's one of the reasons I prefer not to suggest LEDs for now.
I'm just expressing myself, not judging/flaming no one here, please.
I would need a LED as good as MH and/or HO T5s, or better, to change my fixtures. Yes, less electricity would be great!!!!
Light is to resemble the sun. MHs are still the best bet. HO T5s follows that.
My point.
Grandis.
Last edited:
charliet21
New member
+1 yeah what he said.
I am a fan of a combo T5/LED for Zoas. I have a 8 bulb ATI (not dimmable) with reefbrite led strip on each side (Blue). I believe the T5's contribute to growth the best and the Blue LED's give the zoas the etra "pop" for my viewing pleasure! Each lighting stage has something different to offer on my corals. Just the LED's, the LED's and just 2 bulbs on, and then LED's with all 8 bulbs on.
