Supplemental Lighting- T-5 vs. LED

gofor100 · 03/22/2011, 04:20 PM

Hey Guys,

I'm at a crossroads here... planning an upgrade (approximate dimensions will be 84"L X 36"D X 24"T) that will use 4X250-watt Metal Halides as the main lighting source (which I already have), but I'm planning on placing some supplemental lighting towards the front of the tank (because of how front-to-back deep the tank is) and want to see what the consensus is on which would make better supplemental lighting... T-5 or LED?

My main criteria is basically whatever one will make the colors "pop" more in the corals (I'll be keeping everything from SPS to Zoas to LPS) while running 14,000K MH bulbs (Phoenix bulbs to be exact).

I know that LED's are the latest and greatest "craze", but wasn't sure if they offer as much flexibility as far as bulb color and visual appeal as T-5's do.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chad

Alysiak00 · 03/22/2011, 07:28 PM

im in the process of setting up a 65g with an 18" depth. I'm hanging 2x150w mh's above the tank and two retro fit t-5's for supplemental. One is actinic plus and other is fiji purple. should cause some nice pop

gofor100 · 03/23/2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alysiak00

im in the process of setting up a 65g with an 18" depth. I'm hanging 2x150w mh's above the tank and two retro fit t-5's for supplemental. One is actinic plus and other is fiji purple. should cause some nice pop

Yeah, that was my initial idea, but was wondering whether LED's would provide "more" pop (I know its kind of subjective, but wanted to get some opinions out there).

Thanks for your reply.

-Chad

03/22/2011, 04:20 PM	#1
gofor100 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,225	Supplemental Lighting- T-5 vs. LED Hey Guys, I'm at a crossroads here... planning an upgrade (approximate dimensions will be 84"L X 36"D X 24"T) that will use 4X250-watt Metal Halides as the main lighting source (which I already have), but I'm planning on placing some supplemental lighting towards the front of the tank (because of how front-to-back deep the tank is) and want to see what the consensus is on which would make better supplemental lighting... T-5 or LED? My main criteria is basically whatever one will make the colors "pop" more in the corals (I'll be keeping everything from SPS to Zoas to LPS) while running 14,000K MH bulbs (Phoenix bulbs to be exact). I know that LED's are the latest and greatest "craze", but wasn't sure if they offer as much flexibility as far as bulb color and visual appeal as T-5's do. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chad __________________ "FISH ARE FRIENDS, NOT FOOD" Current Tank Info: Tank Build in Progress

03/22/2011, 07:28 PM	#2
Alysiak00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 1,835	im in the process of setting up a 65g with an 18" depth. I'm hanging 2x150w mh's above the tank and two retro fit t-5's for supplemental. One is actinic plus and other is fiji purple. should cause some nice pop __________________ 40Br/40Br Sump-2xMp40's, mag 9.5, 250w Maristar w/ Bluewave Ballast, DIY stand, SRO1000, 2xBrs Deluxe Reactors -“Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.” - Ambrose Bierce

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