Metal Halides vs. T5's vs. LED's vs. Ecofriendly Bulbs Which is better?

[PoonTang]

Plasma!

[subman]

I'm swapping all my lights out for solar tubes! Natural sunlight baby!!
Or better yet selling everything and moving to the Caribbean build an underwater house and just enjoy.


(I'm sorry this is the worst thread ever did anyone other than Brad vote for something different than the what they are using)



OHHH and LED'S FTW!

[gregzz4]

I've never run halides over an aquarium, and chose to go with T5s over my reef for control of intensity throughout the day ( 8 bulbs on 4 timed ballasts )
I've seen enough LED reefs up close to know I'm very happy with my T5s

[Magickiwi]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I've never run halides over an aquarium, and chose to go with T5s over my reef for control of intensity throughout the day ( 8 bulbs on 4 timed ballasts )
I've seen enough LED reefs up close to know I'm very happy with my T5s

I run halides over my reef along with T5's and I agree: I've seen enough LED reefs to know I'm happy with my Halides.

[JDigital]

I've got MH over one tank and LEDs over the other.

I've had ALWAYS used MH over my tanks up until I picked up the Mitra. I'm currently struggling to like my MH setup (no T5 supp.) purely due to the heat issues and the need for supplementation (it's just more cables, more cost, more bulb replacements, more more more).

On the other hand, I really like the Mitra. While the initial investment is higher typically, the controllable light spectrums, next to zero heat, compact size, etc have been worth it so far. I'm still trying to find the light spectrum that I want to run as the possibilities are endless. I can't however say much with regards to how coral looks under them in the long run. I have had so many issues with keeping SPS alive in my tank for unknown reasons. I can say that while the SPS I did have looked great in the short term under LEDs the pieces STN'd on me so can't say anything about long term.

I would really like to bring my Mitra to work and do a side by side comparison of my 15K MH next to a 15K Mitra and see which side of the tank looks/grows/colors better. (This is doable seeing as I have only a few measly looking zoa frags at home right now).


I have also considered recently about going full T5's on the MH tank. A few of my favorite tanks out there are T5 only tanks and they all grow/look great!

[kien]

Originally Posted by JDigital

I've got MH over one tank and LEDs over the other.

I've had ALWAYS used MH over my tanks up until I picked up the Mitra. I'm currently struggling to like my MH setup (no T5 supp.) purely due to the heat issues and the need for supplementation (it's just more cables, more cost, more bulb replacements, more more more).

On the other hand, I really like the Mitra. While the initial investment is higher typically, the controllable light spectrums, next to zero heat, compact size, etc have been worth it so far. I'm still trying to find the light spectrum that I want to run as the possibilities are endless. I can't however say much with regards to how coral looks under them in the long run. I have had so many issues with keeping SPS alive in my tank for unknown reasons. I can say that while the SPS I did have looked great in the short term under LEDs the pieces STN'd on me so can't say anything about long term.

I would really like to bring my Mitra to work and do a side by side comparison of my 15K MH next to a 15K Mitra and see which side of the tank looks/grows/colors better. (This is doable seeing as I have only a few measly looking zoa frags at home right now).


I have also considered recently about going full T5's on the MH tank. A few of my favorite tanks out there are T5 only tanks and they all grow/look great!

Personally, I would (and I do) recommend that any new setups just go straight to LEDs. Unless you're a die hard MH or T5 fan, LEDs should do you fine. I've seen lots of nice SPS and mixed reefs under various LEDs. I don't remember exactly, but with your office tank, didn't your boss already have MH fixtures for you to use?

[JDigital]

Originally Posted by kien

Personally, I would (and I do) recommend that any new setups just go straight to LEDs. Unless you're a die hard MH or T5 fan, LEDs should do you fine. I've seen lots of nice SPS and mixed reefs under various LEDs. I don't remember exactly, but with your office tank, didn't your boss already have MH fixtures for you to use?

Yea, Fresh Water LEDs..

These ones to be exact. No where near capable of lighting a reef tank 30" deep. I'm actually using one of them as a Sump light. (not refuge, just sump illumination)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...id=23688&r=518

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by subman

I'm sorry this is the worst thread ever

Agreed Everyone has a "best" that suits them. LED is currently the best for my needs. I just don't think it's the best light shining into my tank. I'm real happy with them and all they can do. But "best" is just too subjective.

Next thread on this will mysteriously vanish, k?

[reefwars]

ha!

that is all......

[Skimmerking]

I chose led due to i like to have a canopy with a open top and the mitras was able to light my 36x36x21 cube. I was curious and i had the money and got a drop awesome deal i couldnt say no too. And as of now its still not hooked up due to a wait til we move. And the other reason i needed 2 lights to light the cube MITRAS i only need one.