I have a 4 bulbs T5 light setup up on my 40 gallon breeder tank now and now I would like to know if I got the VIspectra T300 LED would I gain any thing as far as lighting goes and corals colors and growth? The lighting coverage on the LED is 32" x 24" at 12" above the aquarium. Should I just stay with my T5 or is it worth the gamble on the LED? The reason I picked this LED is the cost as I dont want to spend a lot of money on lights.
Advice on T% light or LED
- Thread starter reefwisher
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U can probably get better growth with the led if u get it tuned in properly but it sure is hard to beat the look of t5 bulbs! I guess it would depend on if you want better results or aesthetics. That's my opinion anyways.
I love and use T5's but I would probably switch to the LED you bought simply because the fixture you are using is not anywhere near as good as an ATI. I wouldn't want to buy expensive bulbs only to put them in a fixture that has a meh reflector. ATI fixtures are priced high for a reason.
You can easily shock corals if you are not careful with acclimating to the LED so be careful. They produce a lot of par under them.
You can easily shock corals if you are not careful with acclimating to the LED so be careful. They produce a lot of par under them.
You'll get less spread, and more shading with the LED imo, but the intensity seems pretty good on the fixture you are considering. What about a T5/LED combo ? Might be out of range price point wise, not sure.
I run both , the LED just to bump the intensity a bit and give a dusk /dawn ramping.
Similar as you with softies and some LPS.
Thats what I've ended up doing as well, 2 T5's in the back half, and the LED strip in front. I Run the LEDs at about 75%. Gives a bit of shimmer to the tank which I like, in combo with the spread of T5.
And since adding the LED I find it has perked up my Nem quite considerably.
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It's actually just a programmable 48" Fluval 3.0 strip Not as powerful as your Vispectra by a long shot, would never use it solely but it does what I need in combo with T5.
Some seem to like the Orphek light bars for a less expensive alternative as well. Not programmable but they do have a fair amount of punch. Was considering one or two of them, but stock was low pretty much everywhere and the one I ended up purchasing was on sale.
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