Lighting Upgrade Questions (Halide to LED)

[new2u]

So, a little background.

The tank is a 120 (4 x 2 x 2) and I'm currently running 2 250 halides and 2 110 VHO actentics. I keep mostly LPS, some softies, very few SPS (caps almost exclusively) and a truck load of RBTAs and BTAs. I noticed today that only one bulb was firing today, and went to switch out the bulb with an extra to see if perhaps the bulb had gone out. No dice. I put the original bulb back in and switched the ballast connections and the opposite bulb started working. Great, my ballast is broken

Here's my conundrum, I could get a new dual 250 ballast or possibly even just a single 250 ballast, but I kind of feel like that would be a bandaid. Its almost bulb replacement time too, so moving to LEDs wouldn't be the biggest burden in the world. I also plan on upgrading in the future (1-2 years from now) to a 180, so I could likely utilize the setup with the addition of another 2 foot setup. What types of LED setups would be viable for my situation? I can't seem to find much in the 48" range, am I likely looking at two 24" setups? I don't really care much for SPS, but I don't want to hurt the anenomes and LPS too much by getting something that can't handle the 24" depth of the tank.

[bigtslape]

i think the MARINELAND REEF CAPABLE LED would work good if your not big on sps stuff

[bigtslape]

and it come in a 48 " set up

[blackhawks423]

Originally Posted by new2u

So, a little background.

The tank is a 120 (4 x 2 x 2) and I'm currently running 2 250 halides and 2 110 VHO actentics. I keep mostly LPS, some softies, very few SPS (caps almost exclusively) and a truck load of RBTAs and BTAs. I noticed today that only one bulb was firing today, and went to switch out the bulb with an extra to see if perhaps the bulb had gone out. No dice. I put the original bulb back in and switched the ballast connections and the opposite bulb started working. Great, my ballast is broken

Here's my conundrum, I could get a new dual 250 ballast or possibly even just a single 250 ballast, but I kind of feel like that would be a bandaid. Its almost bulb replacement time too, so moving to LEDs wouldn't be the biggest burden in the world. I also plan on upgrading in the future (1-2 years from now) to a 180, so I could likely utilize the setup with the addition of another 2 foot setup. What types of LED setups would be viable for my situation? I can't seem to find much in the 48" range, am I likely looking at two 24" setups? I don't really care much for SPS, but I don't want to hurt the anenomes and LPS too much by getting something that can't handle the 24" depth of the tank.

Take a look at the Maxspect Razor... just picked one up for my 48" tank. Easy upgrade path and with the 90 degree optics, you should be ok to run it on your tank size as long as you have it cranked up a bit.

http://coralvue.com/r420r/

[alpinestar]

Don't do it I switched and tried multiple led set ups the pop was nice but for the money and color that halides and t5 produce keep what you have it's tried and true. IMHO

[Drew707]

If u don't mind the bulb cost and energy cost of nh then don't change...nh and good led setup is pretty equal Imo ..led cost more up front but save in the long run.. +1 led