Need lighting advice please

Ston3 · 05/20/2010, 09:04 AM

Hello everyone, I'm thinking about buying some of the ecoexotic LEDs. I have a 37 g (22" tall) fowlr which I will be slowly converting into a reef tank. I know I need to upgrade the lighting so I am strongly considering some LEDs.

I want to keep softies, lps, and maybe a few sps near the top. I was planning on placing two of the strip modules on each side (4 total) plus one white and one blue stunner strip on each side.

I wanted to mount it on a diy canopy and have it maybe 5" from the water.

Since my tank is 30", my other option I'm considering is the current USA sundial t5ho fixture which houses 4 24w bulbs.

What do y'all think?

Thanks

esco · 05/20/2010, 09:20 AM

Either the LEDs or T5HO will be a good choice. What is your budget? Have you looked at power consumption of the two lights you mentioned?

Personally, I would go T5HO for the short run (1-2 years) for a few reasons. The first being that T5HO is very customisable. You can mix and match bulbs to get the coloration you want and bring out the most of your corals. These fixtures can also keep SPS/LPS/softies without problems. With a T5HO fixture, you wouldn't need a canopy and can hang the light via light-bars or from the ceiling (I've always found canopies to trap heat). I also find T5HO to be cheaper (initially), but keep in mind that bulbs will add up depending on what type and how often you switch them out.

With LEDs, it seems as if technology is constantly shifting especially most recently in 2010 with more manufacturers diving into the LED fixture market. With that said, in 1-2 years, you will have a LOT more choices via LED fixtures with probably newer, more efficient LEDs and nicer designs. If I were to buy a brand new LED fixture right now, I am almost certain that I'll regret it in a few months because of some other fixture that is shinier, cooler, neater than mine.

If you still can't decide, it wouldn't hurt to go hybrid with some sort of DIY fixture (if you were still debating a canopy this would be a very plausible choice). You can supplement with T5HO while having some sort of LED fixture as your main source of lighting.

Ston3 · 05/20/2010, 10:00 AM

Thanks for the reply.

Budget and energy consumption aren't much of a concern. I figured I would spend about $700 on my proposed led setup vs the sundial t5ho listed at $300. The sundial also has timers and moon LEDs with only one cord. I'm leaning heavily on the t5s. I agree about the youth of the LED technology so I guess the safe bet would be the LEDs. Just wanted to make sure the current USA sundial fixture is worth it.

05/20/2010, 09:04 AM	#1
Ston3 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 330	Need lighting advice please Hello everyone, I'm thinking about buying some of the ecoexotic LEDs. I have a 37 g (22" tall) fowlr which I will be slowly converting into a reef tank. I know I need to upgrade the lighting so I am strongly considering some LEDs. I want to keep softies, lps, and maybe a few sps near the top. I was planning on placing two of the strip modules on each side (4 total) plus one white and one blue stunner strip on each side. I wanted to mount it on a diy canopy and have it maybe 5" from the water. Since my tank is 30", my other option I'm considering is the current USA sundial t5ho fixture which houses 4 24w bulbs. What do y'all think? Thanks

05/20/2010, 09:20 AM	#2
esco Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 388	Either the LEDs or T5HO will be a good choice. What is your budget? Have you looked at power consumption of the two lights you mentioned? Personally, I would go T5HO for the short run (1-2 years) for a few reasons. The first being that T5HO is very customisable. You can mix and match bulbs to get the coloration you want and bring out the most of your corals. These fixtures can also keep SPS/LPS/softies without problems. With a T5HO fixture, you wouldn't need a canopy and can hang the light via light-bars or from the ceiling (I've always found canopies to trap heat). I also find T5HO to be cheaper (initially), but keep in mind that bulbs will add up depending on what type and how often you switch them out. With LEDs, it seems as if technology is constantly shifting especially most recently in 2010 with more manufacturers diving into the LED fixture market. With that said, in 1-2 years, you will have a LOT more choices via LED fixtures with probably newer, more efficient LEDs and nicer designs. If I were to buy a brand new LED fixture right now, I am almost certain that I'll regret it in a few months because of some other fixture that is shinier, cooler, neater than mine. If you still can't decide, it wouldn't hurt to go hybrid with some sort of DIY fixture (if you were still debating a canopy this would be a very plausible choice). You can supplement with T5HO while having some sort of LED fixture as your main source of lighting. __________________ -- Daniel -- Current Tank Info: 125G Cubish, ELOS Mini

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05/20/2010, 10:00 AM	#3
Ston3 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 330	Thanks for the reply. Budget and energy consumption aren't much of a concern. I figured I would spend about $700 on my proposed led setup vs the sundial t5ho listed at $300. The sundial also has timers and moon LEDs with only one cord. I'm leaning heavily on the t5s. I agree about the youth of the LED technology so I guess the safe bet would be the LEDs. Just wanted to make sure the current USA sundial fixture is worth it.