PowerBrite LEDs vs T5 Actinics

MarlinHooker · 01/12/2009, 12:18 PM

While designing the light setup for my new 150g mixed reef my LFS suggested I go with 2 x 250 MHs, 2 T5 actinics and 2 strips of the PowerBrite blue (420nm) LEDs. My orginial plan was to go with MHs and then 4 T5s vice the LEDs. Anybody ever use these? What are the pros and cons of these LEDs as a substitute for the T5s? (other than cost ...) thanks

scrapz · 01/12/2009, 12:50 PM

powerleds are bright, they put out a dim light at over 50+ft from my garage all the way to the front of my driveway.

but they suck as actinic supplement, once you throw on the metal halides you can't even notice them, use them as moonlights & stick with t5 or vho supplement.

brianx45 · 01/12/2009, 01:23 PM

same here, I use them with my actinics then I shut them off once the metal halides come on, then I put them back on as moonlights later in the day. They make awesome moonlights, but you can't even notice them once the metal halides are on. I'm also using 14k bulbs so they are a little blue by themselves.

01/12/2009, 12:18 PM	#1
MarlinHooker Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Indialantic, FL Posts: 690	PowerBrite LEDs vs T5 Actinics While designing the light setup for my new 150g mixed reef my LFS suggested I go with 2 x 250 MHs, 2 T5 actinics and 2 strips of the PowerBrite blue (420nm) LEDs. My orginial plan was to go with MHs and then 4 T5s vice the LEDs. Anybody ever use these? What are the pros and cons of these LEDs as a substitute for the T5s? (other than cost ...) thanks

01/12/2009, 12:50 PM	#2
scrapz Saturation+100 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,555	powerleds are bright, they put out a dim light at over 50+ft from my garage all the way to the front of my driveway. but they suck as actinic supplement, once you throw on the metal halides you can't even notice them, use them as moonlights & stick with t5 or vho supplement.

01/12/2009, 01:23 PM	#3
brianx45 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56	same here, I use them with my actinics then I shut them off once the metal halides come on, then I put them back on as moonlights later in the day. They make awesome moonlights, but you can't even notice them once the metal halides are on. I'm also using 14k bulbs so they are a little blue by themselves.