HM, T5.. HM, T5.. LED? Grrrr I can't decide.

Valentini89 · 06/17/2017, 03:04 PM

So I can't decide what to go with. I want to be able to grow anything I wanna put in the tank. I initially wanted an ATI sunpowerT5 x8 unit.. then I decided on a Hamilton Cebu sun MH/T5 unit.. I just don't know what MH lights look like in person and I don't want my water real blue.. some is ok but, yeah.. I've been checking other ppls tank journals here and see a wide variety of lighting. Anyone wanna weigh in?

Grayhead · 06/17/2017, 03:19 PM

TBS has some outstanding reviews on all types of lighting. You have to decide based on needs, looks, budget, if heat will be an issue, power consumption. Research, make an educated decision, the buy mid to high quality lighting.

Valentini89 · 06/17/2017, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grayhead

TBS has some outstanding reviews on all types of lighting. You have to decide based on needs, looks, budget, if heat will be an issue, power consumption. Research, make an educated decision, the buy mid to high quality lighting.

Ok at the risk of sounding like a noob, what is TBS?

scuzy · 06/17/2017, 03:51 PM

Lots of people run t5/led combo some run led dome love the mh. it's all a preference.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Ryan Darilek · 06/17/2017, 04:49 PM

I prefer LED myself because they put off hardly any heat, and therefore don't cause any temp swings throughout the day. I've got Luxeon ES premium LEDs powered at 84W which put off a 14k full spectrum. Can grow absolutely anything, don't have to replace bulbs, uses less energy and is completely adjustable. #winning

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Valentini89 · 06/17/2017, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuzy

Lots of people run t5/led combo some run led dome love the mh. it's all a preference.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I have heard talk that MH is going to be phased out because of the progress LED is making. True? Should I worry about purchasing a MH unit and not being able to buy bulbs?

jda · 06/17/2017, 06:21 PM

If you really want to be able to grow ANYTHING that you put in your tank, then MH and T5 is for you. There are some clams and types of acropora that very few have any luck with using LED.

The best-of-breed MH lights, 14K Phoenix and 20K Radium are crisp white with excellent coral pop - they look great and are not blue at all. You can add T5s to your liking, but I just run them unsupplemented.

kevin.st · 06/17/2017, 06:22 PM

MH aren't going anywhere. I use an 8 bulb t5 over my main tank. I use LEDs on my little tanks.

I recommend T5's.

Valentini89 · 06/17/2017, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jda

If you really want to be able to grow ANYTHING that you put in your tank, then MH and T5 is for you. There are some clams and types of acropora that very few have any luck with using LED.

The best-of-breed MH lights, 14K Phoenix and 20K Radium are crisp white with excellent coral pop - they look great and are not blue at all. You can add T5s to your liking, but I just run them unsupplemented.

Thank you. Decision made.

Joe0813 · 06/17/2017, 10:05 PM

Leds were a big fail for me and its not like I bought cheapos. I bought 3 ecotech radion gen2s when they were brand new. I don't like the growth I got from them, I couldn't keep acans to save my life, my welso and brain coral I had for years with my T5s died under the radions. Im actually looking into the giesmann aurora

trueperc · 06/18/2017, 04:25 AM

I tried Leds and never had much success and so far the the marketing hype and cost its just not worth it. T5, especially the ATI fixture, you will be able to grow anything anywhere and be able to have great colours but no shimmer. I had a 6 bulb 4 footer ATI on a 6 foot 210 and that was 29 inches tall and I could grow SPS on the sand. I personally run MH only. I get my bulbs from EBAY at $20ish a bulb. You can get the equipment for the cost of one LED fixture usually and have cash left over. Not sure where you live, but have I never owned a chiller and have not known any one who has. I run 250W. Also to consider, if you are leaning toward LED, double what the manufacture recommends for coverage, so for every one fixture they recommend, you will need most like two, if you want to grow anything anywhere. That being said, are you talking about putting this light on a 26 gallon ? IF that is the tank, then actually a little AI 26 or Radion X15 LED would be your best option, if you are upgrading then really take a look at T5 and MH. Just my 2 cents.

06/17/2017, 03:04 PM	#1
Valentini89 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Bay county, Fl Posts: 624	HM, T5.. HM, T5.. LED? Grrrr I can't decide. So I can't decide what to go with. I want to be able to grow anything I wanna put in the tank. I initially wanted an ATI sunpowerT5 x8 unit.. then I decided on a Hamilton Cebu sun MH/T5 unit.. I just don't know what MH lights look like in person and I don't want my water real blue.. some is ok but, yeah.. I've been checking other ppls tank journals here and see a wide variety of lighting. Anyone wanna weigh in? __________________ I have 1 1/2 years experience in this hobby. Take my advice with that in mind. Current Tank Info: 26g bowfront QT tank, -- 150g tall = http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2671045

06/17/2017, 03:19 PM	#2
Grayhead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 581	TBS has some outstanding reviews on all types of lighting. You have to decide based on needs, looks, budget, if heat will be an issue, power consumption. Research, make an educated decision, the buy mid to high quality lighting. __________________ 240 Gallon mixed reef, Apex Controlled Radion gen4 pro/T-5 hybrid combo, TBS Liverock Lifereef sump, skimmer, and Fuge 2- MP 40, 1- Vectra M1 return pump, Build thread below http:

06/17/2017, 03:51 PM	#4
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	HM, T5.. HM, T5.. LED? Grrrr I can't decide. Lots of people run t5/led combo some run led dome love the mh. it's all a preference. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

06/17/2017, 10:05 PM	#10
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	Leds were a big fail for me and its not like I bought cheapos. I bought 3 ecotech radion gen2s when they were brand new. I don't like the growth I got from them, I couldn't keep acans to save my life, my welso and brain coral I had for years with my T5s died under the radions. Im actually looking into the giesmann aurora __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

06/17/2017, 04:49 PM	#5
Ryan Darilek Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 376	I prefer LED myself because they put off hardly any heat, and therefore don't cause any temp swings throughout the day. I've got Luxeon ES premium LEDs powered at 84W which put off a 14k full spectrum. Can grow absolutely anything, don't have to replace bulbs, uses less energy and is completely adjustable. #winning Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

06/17/2017, 06:21 PM	#7
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	If you really want to be able to grow ANYTHING that you put in your tank, then MH and T5 is for you. There are some clams and types of acropora that very few have any luck with using LED. The best-of-breed MH lights, 14K Phoenix and 20K Radium are crisp white with excellent coral pop - they look great and are not blue at all. You can add T5s to your liking, but I just run them unsupplemented.

06/17/2017, 06:22 PM	#8
kevin.st Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 151	MH aren't going anywhere. I use an 8 bulb t5 over my main tank. I use LEDs on my little tanks. I recommend T5's.

06/18/2017, 04:25 AM	#11
trueperc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ottawa, On, Canada Posts: 788	I tried Leds and never had much success and so far the the marketing hype and cost its just not worth it. T5, especially the ATI fixture, you will be able to grow anything anywhere and be able to have great colours but no shimmer. I had a 6 bulb 4 footer ATI on a 6 foot 210 and that was 29 inches tall and I could grow SPS on the sand. I personally run MH only. I get my bulbs from EBAY at $20ish a bulb. You can get the equipment for the cost of one LED fixture usually and have cash left over. Not sure where you live, but have I never owned a chiller and have not known any one who has. I run 250W. Also to consider, if you are leaning toward LED, double what the manufacture recommends for coverage, so for every one fixture they recommend, you will need most like two, if you want to grow anything anywhere. That being said, are you talking about putting this light on a 26 gallon ? IF that is the tank, then actually a little AI 26 or Radion X15 LED would be your best option, if you are upgrading then really take a look at T5 and MH. Just my 2 cents.