IMO if you're not spending $1000 and actually want an "upgrade" T5's are the only way to go. Four to six T5' will grow anything you want better than any LED...
The best LED's match T5 performance and thats about it, but cost waaaaaay more.
Theoretically LEDs last longer and do have a smaller footprint, but the latter also typically means worse coverage, e.g., SPS, that grows on one side and dies on another where light does not go...
In sum, "upgrade" to whatever you're using (unless halides) means $1000 in LEDs (ecotech or kessil, etc) or just get some T5's (that everyone has known for years has literally grown the best reef tanks out there). Add a point source LED to the t5' like Kessil later for shimmer that we all like nowadays... when u can afford it..
When/if T5's become less available in 5 or 10 years, just switch them out with a nice coverage LED like XHO's. By then LEDS may have surpassed T5's in spectrum, growth, coverage, etc.
The best LED's match T5 performance and thats about it, but cost waaaaaay more.
Theoretically LEDs last longer and do have a smaller footprint, but the latter also typically means worse coverage, e.g., SPS, that grows on one side and dies on another where light does not go...
In sum, "upgrade" to whatever you're using (unless halides) means $1000 in LEDs (ecotech or kessil, etc) or just get some T5's (that everyone has known for years has literally grown the best reef tanks out there). Add a point source LED to the t5' like Kessil later for shimmer that we all like nowadays... when u can afford it..
When/if T5's become less available in 5 or 10 years, just switch them out with a nice coverage LED like XHO's. By then LEDS may have surpassed T5's in spectrum, growth, coverage, etc.