LED vs T5

Indigoblue12 · 07/27/2014, 08:41 PM

Was wondering about lights..
I'm new to salt water hoby and was hoping
To get some advice on lights ..
I have a 90gallon tank.

My old freshwater tank had led lights

I wanted something that was close to the
Tank not those lights that hang up real high
I have seen due to the tank being in a bedroom
I might actually get a canopy for it to hide
The lighting in the future..

My question is what is the advantage/disadvantage
Between the 2 lights... In the past led actually did not
Feel warm (as in ambience) and bothered my eyes..
Are t5 HO still concidered to be ok or is led the new thing ?
Do led lights bring out more colors?

currentking · 07/27/2014, 09:16 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2427731&page=3
Check this out. Look for the response by WMilas

Indigoblue12 · 07/27/2014, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by currentking

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2427731&page=3
Check this out. Look for the response by WMilas

Hey thanks

that's great

Indigoblue12 · 07/28/2014, 10:27 AM

I like fixtures that sit close to the tank..
Can you get a t5 fixture close to water?

GroktheCube · 07/28/2014, 11:23 AM

I was originally using just two BML strips over my 120. I ended up adding an ATI T5 fixture. I needed more coverage, and I was getting far too much shading on the sides and undersides of corals.

If you don't want a hanging fixture, and you're building a canopy anyway, you could pick up some high quality reflectors along with some LEDs and build the into the canopy. I think aesthetically an LED/T5 or MH combo looks better. You get some shimmer, and the light just seems to look more clean and crisp than T5 alone. There's no "Windex" look.

Reef Frog · 07/28/2014, 11:34 AM

Both LED & T5 fixtures can be fitted in canopies to prevent light spill over. It's also possible to created a hybrid system that uses both technologies.

You didn't mention what you will keep in your tank, which can help you with the decision. Fish only? Corals - what species?

T5 are bulletproof in the sense that you can keep most corals available in the hobby without inadvetantly killing or stressing them with too much light, but many LPS can still bleach if mounted too close to the T5 fixture. But they may come up short with light loving clams in some tanks for example. But they only have one power setting so the variable you will deal with are how high to mount the fixture & how high to mount your corals. Other than that, it's just on-off & how many hours of lighting per day (plus the choice of bulbs).

There are many threads where new LED owners over do lighting & bleaching some corals is the result, but that can be prevented in the modern units as light levels are adjustable.

T5 is likely to be less expensive initially but LEDs are likely to cost you less over the long term as you're not buying replacement bulbs every year & electric costs may be lower. LEDS, depending on brand, offer many more modes, are adjustable & have many good features when paired with a controller.

Many of the first generation LEDs had limitations & the 1W "strips" aren't suitable for many aquarium types. So you really need to do your research.

Indigoblue12 · 07/28/2014, 11:38 AM

Never heard of a windex look.. Thank you for all your
Info

07/27/2014, 08:41 PM	#1
Indigoblue12 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 118	LED vs T5 Was wondering about lights.. I'm new to salt water hoby and was hoping To get some advice on lights .. I have a 90gallon tank. My old freshwater tank had led lights I wanted something that was close to the Tank not those lights that hang up real high I have seen due to the tank being in a bedroom I might actually get a canopy for it to hide The lighting in the future.. My question is what is the advantage/disadvantage Between the 2 lights... In the past led actually did not Feel warm (as in ambience) and bothered my eyes.. Are t5 HO still concidered to be ok or is led the new thing ? Do led lights bring out more colors?

07/28/2014, 11:38 AM	#7
Indigoblue12 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 118	Never heard of a windex look.. Thank you for all your Info Last edited by Indigoblue12; 07/28/2014 at 12:01 PM.

07/27/2014, 09:16 PM	#2
currentking Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Palm Bay Florida Posts: 868	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2427731&page=3 Check this out. Look for the response by WMilas

07/28/2014, 10:27 AM	#4
Indigoblue12 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 118	I like fixtures that sit close to the tank.. Can you get a t5 fixture close to water?

07/28/2014, 11:23 AM	#5
GroktheCube Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 2,063	I was originally using just two BML strips over my 120. I ended up adding an ATI T5 fixture. I needed more coverage, and I was getting far too much shading on the sides and undersides of corals. If you don't want a hanging fixture, and you're building a canopy anyway, you could pick up some high quality reflectors along with some LEDs and build the into the canopy. I think aesthetically an LED/T5 or MH combo looks better. You get some shimmer, and the light just seems to look more clean and crisp than T5 alone. There's no "Windex" look.

07/28/2014, 11:34 AM	#6
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Both LED & T5 fixtures can be fitted in canopies to prevent light spill over. It's also possible to created a hybrid system that uses both technologies. You didn't mention what you will keep in your tank, which can help you with the decision. Fish only? Corals - what species? T5 are bulletproof in the sense that you can keep most corals available in the hobby without inadvetantly killing or stressing them with too much light, but many LPS can still bleach if mounted too close to the T5 fixture. But they may come up short with light loving clams in some tanks for example. But they only have one power setting so the variable you will deal with are how high to mount the fixture & how high to mount your corals. Other than that, it's just on-off & how many hours of lighting per day (plus the choice of bulbs). There are many threads where new LED owners over do lighting & bleaching some corals is the result, but that can be prevented in the modern units as light levels are adjustable. T5 is likely to be less expensive initially but LEDs are likely to cost you less over the long term as you're not buying replacement bulbs every year & electric costs may be lower. LEDS, depending on brand, offer many more modes, are adjustable & have many good features when paired with a controller. Many of the first generation LEDs had limitations & the 1W "strips" aren't suitable for many aquarium types. So you really need to do your research.