Give LED another chance?

[-Logzor]

I'm debating on either upgrading my Sol Blue to the Hydra 52 or just going to 250w radium on my frag tank. Either way the cost is similar but the Sol Blue has been a total bust for my acros. Thoughts?

Are the newer full spectrum LEDs better?

 

[matt_97055]

I went from a 54w 4 bulb t5 to oceanrevive arctic - S026. And I will never go back. This being my first leds, i realy don't have anything to compare them to.

 

[kracer1025]

I would stick with the radium. I have tried and still not a huge fan of LEDs for Sps.

 

[bmac16]

IMO the initial cost is similar but the long term costs are very different. I have a "full spectrum" DIY fixture that worked great for my acros. There is plenty of proof out now that properly set led lighting will sustain beautiful acros. Ofcourse some may look better under MH, but most still hold color and gain some under led. Also IMO, you don't need these high end fixtures with all the programming functions of a space craft. All you need is a good researched backed product like many of the vendors here have. I chose reef radiance this weekend and purchased 2 units to replace my dying DIY unit.

 

[-Logzor]

I'm not terribly concerned about long term cost. If my acros are growing well cost is not a huge concern. However if I drop cash on the new LEDs and they still don't grow my corals well then I'm in trouble. I've never tried MH before, always had T5's on my display tank.

I know Adam at battlecorals amongst many other have had success and maybe that is attributed to the new gen of LEDs, but I've just never been able to dial in my sol blues.

 

[bmac16]

This is a few months progression from when I upgraded my DIY from just W/B to "full spectrum"
Some comparison shots

 

[-Logzor]

Wow you can definitely tell the difference! Do you have issues where the underside of your acros die out? This is another huge problem I have with he sol blue. The light is just too direct and doesn't bounce around enough to light the sides of the coral.

 

[ReefingItUp]

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-led-lights/162021-reef-genesis-light-emitting-diodes-light-preview.html

 

[Mike J.]

My vote would be metal halide for your frag tank. Proven over time to work. I've got 250W over a 2' x 2' frag tank. I'm thinking you're the one who said "just throw a metal halide over it"? Another thing I've been pondering lately - with the high end LED's adding more colors like red.

Red light negatively affects health of stony coral ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[-Logzor]

Mike, that's what I keep telling myself. My only hesitation is some of the hardcore hobbyists are now giving the new radions their blessing.

Your link reminds me that my fuge light is red LED. I wonder of that negatively impacts my corals. Since my tank is barebottom the light shines up from the sump into the display at night.

 

[SCMatt]

I have a DIY "full spectrum" myself on my tank, I won't ever be touching MH again tbh. My main knock on MH is the heat of the fixture, skyrockets the room temp even with fans which is a problem where I live in the summer time, love the light they produce though. That and bulb cost, I don't have to buy a $50+ bulb again every X number of months. I went DIY LED because at the time a lot of these premade fixtures were very cookie cutter with limited control and color for insane prices, I think they are finally catching on now though still stupidly expensive. But my "full spectrum" LED is growing my acros very well, and I'm seeing some outstanding color come out. It has taken longer to dial in rather than stick a MH over and plug it in but once dialed in I have no complaints nor do my corals.