Second guessing LED vs T5

[ShooterRick]

Well with a budget for lighting of 500.00$ for my 72 bowfront build these are the 2 systems I have narrowed it down to. The T5 combo is a bit less expensive than the LED upfront. I am leaning towards the LED now so chime in and give me your opinions please.


Icecap 6xT5 plus LEDx2

Purely LED 3watt x 2 units

[Reefing Madness]

LED man. If you have the money, save your self the headache of changing lamps now. And $$ savings in the long run. But, look into dimmable LED's, as this will allow you to ge the color you want out of it.
http://www.zimbio.com/Aquariums/arti...er+Par38+White
http://www.aquashoponline.com/48-new...rgb-light.html
http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/petst...792686035.html

[ShooterRick]

Thanks for the info. About this one: New dimmable KEY K3 3rd Generation Aquarium LED Lighting For Saltwater (Built-in Sun & Moon Simulation, RGBP light)

It appears that it will only cover about 35 inches width. I am planning a center pillar Island with 2 smaller pillars on each side as far as the aquascape plan goes leaving plenty of swim space for the fish. I will have some corals and a nem on the islands. Less is best as far as fish is concerned so my bioload will be small as far as fish are concerned.


Ok the ? Will one of these surfice with carefull consideration given to the corals light needs? I also have a 96 watt 24 inch T5 fixture I could supplement with but would prefer not.

[Reefing Madness]

You'll have only 9" on each side with shadow, you should be ok with that. If you can get them up around 6-8" above the tank you will get more spread. And at 7200lms, you can keep whatever you want for corals in there.

[ShooterRick]

You'll have only 9" on each side with shadow, you should be ok with that. If you can get them up around 6-8" above the tank you will get more spread. And at 7200lms, you can keep whatever you want for corals in there.

Ok great! If I use the canopy the light could set internal 6 inches above glass cover or if I set on top of canopy the glass and lighting would be about 7.5 inches above water surface. I am not sure I like the canopy just because access to the tank for service looks like it would be a pain. I may choose to suspend lights instead of using canopy. Decisions Decisions. LOL

[chrisfont23]

This look cool. I wouldn't worry about the length too much. If you are, check out ecoxotic. The strips can be added at any time for about $89 + the splitter and transformer. Can mix and match and add as needed.

[ShooterRick]

OK the decision is made. A dimmable LED will be used. I am looking at the one RM linked and the one I showed earlier. Both are dimmable. The one RM linked is more flexible while the one I listed 2 units can be had for the money. I think I will go with this one.

New dimmable KEY K3 3rd Generation Aquarium LED Lighting For Saltwater (Built-in Sun & Moon Simulation, RGBP light)

[Reefing Madness]

Ok great! If I use the canopy the light could set internal 6 inches above glass cover or if I set on top of canopy the glass and lighting would be about 7.5 inches above water surface. I am not sure I like the canopy just because access to the tank for service looks like it would be a pain. I may choose to suspend lights instead of using canopy. Decisions Decisions. LOL

[chrisfont23]

OK the decision is made. A dimmable LED will be used. I am looking at the one RM linked and the one I showed earlier. Both are dimmable. The one RM linked is more flexible while the one I listed 2 units can be had for the money. I think I will go with this one.

New dimmable KEY K3 3rd Generation Aquarium LED Lighting For Saltwater (Built-in Sun & Moon Simulation, RGBP light)

Let me know how you do. I am still very undecided about lighting. Re the one you are buying...

- What types of corals are you keeping?
- What is your tank size?
- Can you attache to canopy?

Thx!

[ShooterRick]

Let me know how you do. I am still very undecided about lighting. Re the one you are buying...

- What types of corals are you keeping?
- What is your tank size?
- Can you attache to canopy?

Thx!

This light is for a new 72 gal bowfront build I am gathering equip. for. Yes they have several mounting options and I see no reason you could not mount in a canopy with maybe a simple mod or the correct mount. As far as corals, I want to leave my options open for both sps and lps corals and a nem. I doubt I will purchase this before the holidays but it is the one I am planning on getting. Grandkids come first though. LOL

[dufybug]

anyone that is setting up a new tank is facing the same choices you are, so i thought i would offer a few thoughts.

first is that LED's are a new comer to this. there simply isnt the data to say how much or what colors of the LED's are needed. any advice anyone gives at this point is somewhat thier opinion and experience. i can say, in my own tanks, i have seen a big variation from one LED to the next. the cheaper ones like marineland are much dimmer than say my current light pad. i would say in this it is like many things, if something is cheap, there is likely a reason.

another thing to consider is how much do you spend on a throw-away? you can replace bulbs and ballasts in T5's. sure LED's have a projected long life, but eventually they will go out. at that point you face buying a new fixture. a marineland reef fixture for my tank costs 450. that is a big investment for a fixture that you will eventually throw out. it has an estimated life of 50,000 hours, but who knows what it will actually do when exposed to a reef on a daily basis.

in the end, i ended up going with the time tested T5's.

as a final thought, on my cardiff, i run two current led pads. i am seeing good growth and results using them. i believe the led's are effective for what that is worth.

[chrisfont23]

anyone that is setting up a new tank is facing the same choices you are, so i thought i would offer a few thoughts.

first is that LED's are a new comer to this. there simply isnt the data to say how much or what colors of the LED's are needed. any advice anyone gives at this point is somewhat thier opinion and experience. i can say, in my own tanks, i have seen a big variation from one LED to the next. the cheaper ones like marineland are much dimmer than say my current light pad. i would say in this it is like many things, if something is cheap, there is likely a reason.

another thing to consider is how much do you spend on a throw-away? you can replace bulbs and ballasts in T5's. sure LED's have a projected long life, but eventually they will go out. at that point you face buying a new fixture. a marineland reef fixture for my tank costs 450. that is a big investment for a fixture that you will eventually throw out. it has an estimated life of 50,000 hours, but who knows what it will actually do when exposed to a reef on a daily basis.

in the end, i ended up going with the time tested T5's.

as a final thought, on my cardiff, i run two current led pads. i am seeing good growth and results using them. i believe the led's are effective for what that is worth.

Definitely a good post. I think you are a little hung up on pre-built fixtures though. If you plan it correctly you can build your on and bolt on as you go, reducing your maintenance costs and prolonging the longevity of your setup. IMO, Marineland fixtures are more suited for a planted freshwater tank with those plants that require moderate to low lighting. Doing it right involves research and more research. I would check out my build thread to see what I mean.