LED vs T5???

Meggie2409 · 06/28/2010, 08:44 AM

Ok so I was going to post this on the lighting forum but it seems almost to advanced for a. me being a girl and man talk goes over my head and b. much larger tanks are talked abt.

Sooo my question is there are a lot of advances on LED lighting and also t-5, which is better? I was thinking of doing a combo, LED stunner strips and t-5 actinic with 2 metal halide light with built in lunar LED lights. I have a 55 gal tank that is mainly a coral tank, but do have a LTA and abt 5 various fish. Thoughts?

chimmike · 06/28/2010, 08:53 AM

depends on the corals you have. If you have softies, you really can get away with anything.

There's still not a lot known about the LED's regarding reef tanks with SPS and LPS, and there are no good pre-made fixtures right now. T5's are pretty well proven and you have a lot of options regarding light spectrum via different bulbs.

Meggie2409 · 06/28/2010, 08:56 AM

Sorry shld have put what kinds of corals, I have softies but also have a sps and what to do lps. I LOVE all corals and want tons lol

Monkeyfish · 06/28/2010, 04:25 PM

t5s are good for most corals (place the more light demanding species towards the top of the tank). I use a 6 bulb t5 set-up on my 75g SPS reef. I liek the color of the tank and am getting decent growth.

However, the future most likely belongs to LEDs as they are cheaper to run and put out minimal heat. The drawback is that LEDs are very expensive; something that will change in the coming years as the tech improves and the production costs drop. Either is sufficient for your needs, it just depends on how much you want to spend.

Reef Aquatics · 06/28/2010, 06:50 PM

Actually Im getting ready to build my own DIY LED array and replace my T5s
with them. If you search on this site...there are several people who have
documented their success with their DIY LED arrays and growing SPS.

Actually Monkey LEDs are not as expensive as you make it sound. Not sure if
you researched the cost in making a DIY setup...but the cost of the 3 watt star
leds,drivers,heat sinks, have came down and you can find good deals if you
search around and know what your looking for...Plus you would save money in
the long run on electricity and bulb replacement.

But for you Meggie I would highly suggest getting a good T5 setup.. Cause it
sounds like your not a DIY person... ATI are nice..but slightly expensive,
depending on what your looking for.

06/28/2010, 08:44 AM	#1
Meggie2409 Moved On Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 195	LED vs T5??? Ok so I was going to post this on the lighting forum but it seems almost to advanced for a. me being a girl and man talk goes over my head and b. much larger tanks are talked abt. Sooo my question is there are a lot of advances on LED lighting and also t-5, which is better? I was thinking of doing a combo, LED stunner strips and t-5 actinic with 2 metal halide light with built in lunar LED lights. I have a 55 gal tank that is mainly a coral tank, but do have a LTA and abt 5 various fish. Thoughts?

06/28/2010, 08:53 AM	#2
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	depends on the corals you have. If you have softies, you really can get away with anything. There's still not a lot known about the LED's regarding reef tanks with SPS and LPS, and there are no good pre-made fixtures right now. T5's are pretty well proven and you have a lot of options regarding light spectrum via different bulbs. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

06/28/2010, 04:25 PM	#4
Monkeyfish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Long Island (NY) Posts: 4,077	t5s are good for most corals (place the more light demanding species towards the top of the tank). I use a 6 bulb t5 set-up on my 75g SPS reef. I liek the color of the tank and am getting decent growth. However, the future most likely belongs to LEDs as they are cheaper to run and put out minimal heat. The drawback is that LEDs are very expensive; something that will change in the coming years as the tech improves and the production costs drop. Either is sufficient for your needs, it just depends on how much you want to spend. __________________ Eric "One thing that humbles me deeply is to see that human genius has its limits while human stupidity does not." Current Tank Info: Taking a break

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06/28/2010, 08:56 AM	#3
Meggie2409 Moved On Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 195	Sorry shld have put what kinds of corals, I have softies but also have a sps and what to do lps. I LOVE all corals and want tons lol

06/28/2010, 06:50 PM	#5
Reef Aquatics Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Florida...at some point will be Melbourne Australia.. Posts: 93	Actually Im getting ready to build my own DIY LED array and replace my T5s with them. If you search on this site...there are several people who have documented their success with their DIY LED arrays and growing SPS. Actually Monkey LEDs are not as expensive as you make it sound. Not sure if you researched the cost in making a DIY setup...but the cost of the 3 watt star leds,drivers,heat sinks, have came down and you can find good deals if you search around and know what your looking for...Plus you would save money in the long run on electricity and bulb replacement. But for you Meggie I would highly suggest getting a good T5 setup.. Cause it sounds like your not a DIY person... ATI are nice..but slightly expensive, depending on what your looking for.