Need Help Choosing a Lighting Solution

[Myka]

I think most newbies should start with T5s. They are reasonably priced, and you can even grow many SPS under them if you want. They are versatile too...you can use bulbs with less PAR for lower light conditions or you can use bulbs with higher PAR for corals like SPS. Most newbie friendly corals do better under lower lighting, plus algae is less of a problem.

I wouldn't bother with any LEDs besides the top end fixtures, and that is quite a big chunk of cash for a newbie to chew.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by Myka

I think most newbies should start with T5s. They are reasonably priced, and you can even grow many SPS under them if you want. They are versatile too...you can use bulbs with less PAR for lower light conditions or you can use bulbs with higher PAR for corals like SPS. Most newbie friendly corals do better under lower lighting, plus algae is less of a problem.

I wouldn't bother with any LEDs besides the top end fixtures, and that is quite a big chunk of cash for a newbie to chew.

+lots

[fishytime]

I respectfully disagree Mindy.....while cheaper to begin with T5s and MH will burn you(pun intended) in the long run with bulb changes and other associated costs.....the better LED units units will allow much more flexabillty in all aspects....intensity, color and programing.....why start with a unit that you wont be able to give away in a couple years?

[lastlight]

People can't give away those units now meaning a noob can acquire cheaply.

Investing in a decent LED setup is a bit risky considering plenty of noobs jump ship shortly after starting. Less financial risk I think. Unit cheap. Pony up for prob 4 bulbs. Go from there.

[fishytime]

decent LED unit holds its value(more so then T5 and MH in todays market) and is actually sell-able if he does decide to bail

[fishytime]

besides....just because he is new to the hobby doesnt mean he should cheap out on equipment....we all know that you get what you pay for in this hobby and most people would have liked to know this before throwing $ away on something they were not going to be happy with

[lastlight]

If the poster wants to invest then I recommend the mitras problem solved!

[Myka]

You can disagree, I don't mind. It would be a pretty boring world if we all agreed.

I don't think buying T5s is cheaping out on equipment. If someone really has the money burning a hole in the pocket spend it on a Bubble King skimmer instead of LED lighting - that will pay off better for a newbie in the end than some fancy schmancy lighting setup. I seem to remember SOMEONE's (looking at you fishytime) beautiful SPS tank that was lit by T5s.

Considering the average reef hobbyist has been in the hobby for 18 months it is safe to say that the average reef hobbyist jumps ship before ever doing too much. I don't see why a newbie should spend thousands of dollars on lighting with a high risk of not being in the hobby 2 years down the road.

I have T5s on my LPS/Zoa tank, and I have zero interest in "upgrading" to LEDs on that tank. There is no reason as there would be very limited electrical savings, and a few bulbs a year...whoopdedo. I've been on the fence for the last 6 months thinking about buying a couple Mitras for my SPS tank, but I haven't seen an LED lit SPS tank yet that has the same the results (mainly growth, also color) as halides.

The cost of replacing bulbs is about the same as the cost of salt over a year...really not that significant. The reefer will likely spend much more money on livestock. So all this LED money savings yipyap really doesn't interest me. I'm interested in real life results. I couldn't care less about the extra $200 a year I spend on my halides when I just spent more than that today on one single coral. The argment makes no sense to me.

I don't think LEDs are the be all end all, neither are halides nor T5s. Different lights for different situations.

[monocus]

if you want to check out various leds i have everything from vertex ilumina to diy s.-7 different types,all at various costs.i can even use my par meter to show you the various pars on each system