What type of lighting is best?

[Cujo#31]

Oh man...if you wanna strike up a heated debate, you found the topic. FWIW, I prefer T5 ATI as the bulb of choice but honestly, lighting is as much a personal choice as the Corals you chose to keep. Every tank is different, everyone has a different opinion. T5 is a trued and true if you grow SPS, Halides as well and they add that shimmer so many find appealing but also add a ton of heat, power consumption and high priced bulb replacement. Tried LED, I’m not part of that camp. The real important considerations are water column height, and desired PAR ratings. That will often limit your options right oqut of the gate.

[e46er]

I have used 2x150 MH, 2x250MH and LEDs. in that order

the LED provided by far the best color and best looking corals I ever had. the 2x250 provided WAYYYY faster growth. but as tthe LEDs were the last in use my experience also went up and that system was basically self automated and WC were just opening and closing valves and a light switch to activate the pump so my husbandry also was at its highest, until of the the seal blew and 250G ended up on the floor and I lost everything but its been almost a year so today im going to pickup a new tank!

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by e46er

I have used 2x150 MH, 2x250MH and LEDs. in that order

the LED provided by far the best color and best looking corals I ever had. the 2x250 provided WAYYYY faster growth. but as tthe LEDs were the last in use my experience also went up and that system was basically self automated and WC were just opening and closing valves and a light switch to activate the pump so my husbandry also was at its highest, until of the the seal blew and 250G ended up on the floor and I lost everything but its been almost a year so today im going to pickup a new tank!

Sorry 😐 to hear that! I’m glad your still in the game and getting a new tank.