Need help with lighting!!! - Page 2

tero64 · 06/28/2012, 10:26 AM

kagetaro99: Would this work? What else would i need for it? http://www.innovativelights.com/ret-t5-280.html

tero64 · 06/28/2012, 10:29 AM

theres also a 4x80w kit that costs more, but i want to get this right the first time. is 4x80 too much for my 80 gallon or just right?

noj3333 · 06/28/2012, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponger0

Ahhhh you have fallen victim to "LEDs are the only way"

I have T5s and have no issue with my electricity bill.

So according to your math....lets do this. Quality LEDs for the OPs tank would cost roughly around $5-600 . So used fixture 200. $120 for bulbs every 9 months. For 18 more months it would cost roughly 240. So thats close to the price of LEDs for this tank. so 27 months or roughly 2.5 years.

But lets look into some variables around that. So in 2.5 years you dont expect the new and improved lighting to come into play? No one ever considers this. Technology changes and it changes fast. Also, next year, LEDs will be even more affordable most likely.

Oh and also....who is to say the OP is going to be in the hobby for that long?

Unless you know you are going to be in the hobby for a long time, why waste so much money? Especially for someone new in the hobby.

People need to stop believing LEDs are the only way to go. T5s and MH are still true proven ways to light a reef tank, but not saying LEDs arent. I do plan on going LEDs with my next tank but will never tell someone new to the hobby they need to go spend $600 to light a tank.

I'm not looking to argue with you... I bow out on the simple idea that you, more then likely, have years, and years of experience on me in this hobby.

I will state the reason I picked LEDs
-The power consumption is far less with LEDs then with T5 bulbs or MH... it just is, I don't think there's much to argue there.

-A quality used T5 fixture may be hard to find, I know, I looked locally, but couldn't find one. If, at the time, I had access to the 'for sale' section of this site I may have been willing to trust someone with a used fixture I couldn't inspect in person.

-I like 'the new thing', and I'll like DIY, that's part of the enjoyment I get from this hobby... I like to tinker and build things.

-My tank is small, a 45 gallon cube, and I believe the LEDs will be saving me money before the year is out... a nice DIY multichip LED light fixture can be made for $250-$350... I'd be hard pressed to match that with a MH or T5 light fixture...

sponger0 · 06/28/2012, 12:28 PM

I dont have years and years...but this is simple. Its technology. It will change. The biggest argument is LEDs will last 10 years and during that time span the latest and greatest thing wont come out. I have a hard time believing that.

Nothing is wrong with LEDs but you need to spend the money to do it right. And thanks to the economy, not everyone has that kind of cash just for lights.

sponger0 · 06/28/2012, 12:28 PM

I dont have years and years...but this is simple. Its technology. It will change. The biggest argument is LEDs will last 10 years and during that time span the latest and greatest thing wont come out. I have a hard time believing that.

Nothing is wrong with LEDs but you need to spend the money to do it right. And thanks to the economy, not everyone has that kind of cash just for lights.

kagetaro99 · 06/29/2012, 09:24 AM

Tero,
That is basically what I bought and am still using. What I like about it is like I said before it gives you the chance to customize it to your liking. The wiring is simple especially if you look at their diagram in the paper work. and basically the only thing else you would need it to make/buy a canopy or something to mount the kit on and the bulbs. If you would like I can try and get a pic of my setup later tonight to give you more of an idea.

sammy77 · 07/04/2012, 07:30 AM

Just received my lighting and put them up. Not to bad for a FO tank...

TJDaddio · 07/04/2012, 10:18 AM

Hi there

I am fairly new to this hobby as well, so like others have said, take my advice with a grain of salt, as I do not know everything... just yet anyways

I was in the same boat as you, trying to decide between T5s and LEDs. I did my reserach for about 2 weeks looking online, and in stores, at both types of lights, the advantiages and disadvantages, prices, life of each, etc.

I ended up going with the T5s because not only were they cheaper, but LEDs are constantly changing and being updated. T5s it seems are the best they can be, and they are not at a ridiculous price. T5s you might have to replace a bulb or two a year or so down the road, and the LEDs you wont, but it will all basically add up to the same in my opinion. The difference to me is with T5, you're putting $200 down now and going to have to put $40 or so into it down the road for a bulb, and the LEDs you're dropping a lot of money at once but you're guaranteed it will have no upkeep for years to come.

I purchased a Coralife T5 High Output Quad Fixture that also has 2 LED Moonlights in it, which you can position at anything in the tank, and I absolutely love it. I have a few friends who have Coralife and are very happy - whatever you choose just don't impulse buy - do your homework and research. My LFS sold my light fixture for $339, and I found the same one on Amazon for $198! I actually emailed the link to the LFS and they matched the price!!!!!

I have an awesome LFS, I know

. So whatever you choose, make sure you research it first, I did, and I'm so happy with mine!

07/04/2012, 07:30 AM	#32
sammy77 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: IL Posts: 373	Just received my lighting and put them up. Not to bad for a FO tank... __________________ 220gal FOWLR When you're down....look up....get up....and don't ever give up! Current Tank Info: 220gal FOWLR

06/28/2012, 10:26 AM	#26
tero64 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 16	kagetaro99: Would this work? What else would i need for it? http://www.innovativelights.com/ret-t5-280.html

06/28/2012, 10:29 AM	#27
tero64 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 16	theres also a 4x80w kit that costs more, but i want to get this right the first time. is 4x80 too much for my 80 gallon or just right?

06/28/2012, 12:28 PM	#29
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	I dont have years and years...but this is simple. Its technology. It will change. The biggest argument is LEDs will last 10 years and during that time span the latest and greatest thing wont come out. I have a hard time believing that. Nothing is wrong with LEDs but you need to spend the money to do it right. And thanks to the economy, not everyone has that kind of cash just for lights.

06/29/2012, 09:24 AM	#31
kagetaro99 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 35	Tero, That is basically what I bought and am still using. What I like about it is like I said before it gives you the chance to customize it to your liking. The wiring is simple especially if you look at their diagram in the paper work. and basically the only thing else you would need it to make/buy a canopy or something to mount the kit on and the bulbs. If you would like I can try and get a pic of my setup later tonight to give you more of an idea.

07/04/2012, 10:18 AM	#33
TJDaddio Moved On Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Delray Beach, FL Posts: 201	Hi there I am fairly new to this hobby as well, so like others have said, take my advice with a grain of salt, as I do not know everything... just yet anyways I was in the same boat as you, trying to decide between T5s and LEDs. I did my reserach for about 2 weeks looking online, and in stores, at both types of lights, the advantiages and disadvantages, prices, life of each, etc. I ended up going with the T5s because not only were they cheaper, but LEDs are constantly changing and being updated. T5s it seems are the best they can be, and they are not at a ridiculous price. T5s you might have to replace a bulb or two a year or so down the road, and the LEDs you wont, but it will all basically add up to the same in my opinion. The difference to me is with T5, you're putting $200 down now and going to have to put $40 or so into it down the road for a bulb, and the LEDs you're dropping a lot of money at once but you're guaranteed it will have no upkeep for years to come. I purchased a Coralife T5 High Output Quad Fixture that also has 2 LED Moonlights in it, which you can position at anything in the tank, and I absolutely love it. I have a few friends who have Coralife and are very happy - whatever you choose just don't impulse buy - do your homework and research. My LFS sold my light fixture for $339, and I found the same one on Amazon for $198! I actually emailed the link to the LFS and they matched the price!!!!! I have an awesome LFS, I know . So whatever you choose, make sure you research it first, I did, and I'm so happy with mine!