Help talk me off the halide to LED ledge

reef’r · Jan 5, 2026

Started up my new SPS tank with a reefbrite fixture running 250w 14k bulbs with some 36” orphek blue plus im a white light guy for the most part. But man, LED is pulling on me hard! I’m trying to hold out until summer hits again in Florida to see how the halides do we’ve got a couple 80* days coming up so I’ll see how tank temps are. I can’t spend the cash for radions so I’d probably go two gen 2 Nicrews with my xr15 pro in between them and then some 4’ bars as well….. any one interested in a 2 month old 36” reefbrite fixture? Lol

KrisReef · Jan 5, 2026

May as well figure out what led makes you happy and then start looking for that solution from somebody else who is also having light envy or getting out of the hobby. Best solution is to identify the target and wait for the opportunity. Scroll through the for sale threads here to see what I am talking about, and be ready to pounce. Pro tip: Don't sell your lights until the new ones are in hand.

rtparty · Jan 5, 2026

LEDs will be around whenever you’re ready to switch. You’ll regret leaving halides especially when you want them again and can’t find them easily. Halide bulbs are easy to store and stocking up isn’t too bad. You can get years worth of changes for less than a couple new LEDs. Factor in many LED fixtures aren’t lasting anywhere near the stated claims

dedragon · Jan 5, 2026

depending on the gen of radion and whether it is pro or blue, the aliexpress a8 pro ii can be a cheaper substitute. it is pretty much a clone of radion xr30.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...|x_object_id:1005009805835985|_p_origin_prod:

bubbgee · Jan 5, 2026

I use T5, Halide (during peak light) and LEDs (main light). Just have to find the balance. T5 and halide provide the growth and the LED the coloration.