Led vs t5

[Mcardle2012]

I have a 65 rr with a t5 dimmable fixture . I have friends that run led and some that run t5. I personally believe t5 are better, producing better coral color and health . What are u guys running and what are your thoughts ?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have a 65 rr with a t5 dimmable fixture . I have friends that run led and some that run t5. I personally believe t5 are better, producing better coral color and health . What are u guys running and what are your thoughts ?

dont dim them t5's.....Lol. leds are for rampin...

 

[Christopher Davis]

dont dim them t5's.....Lol. leds are for rampin...

+1 I ramp up with LED and let the t5HO go to work! then ramp down.

 

[Mcardle2012]

So you guys running the led t5 setup

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

@mcarroll will certainly have some good input!

 

[reefs+waves]

I am running t5 however I would like to add some leds for controllability.

 

[Mcardle2012]

A lot of people run led from what I understand . But I've also heard people switching back to t5 . Keep the comments coming guys

 

[TRPlacek]

I believe led grow just as well as t5 with the right setup but I personally love the look of t5 during the day with led ramping down at night. I run radions with t5's.

 

[Kershaw]

I think it depends on what your trying to achieve, and what your trying to keep.
I am a fan of the combo led with t-5 supplement. I think just t5s make the tank look unnatural almost sterile. My kessils add the shimmer and more natural look especially because you can program the color to change like t dose in the ocean. The t-5 help with growth.
If your just trying to farm and frag I'd say stick to t-5. For me I am just trying to enjoy my tank keep everything healthy and have amazing color. If it takes longer to grow for me that's ok.

 

[happyhourhero]

I run just plain ol LED myself.

 

[3mm3]

Go with t5s if you like the look.
Personally I'm switching back to Halide/t5's.

 

[ReeferBee]

My dad can beat up your dad

 

[Kershaw]

Oh and one more thing. When I started I ran 3 250w mh with t12 over my 180gal. My wife was not very understanding of need to replace those bulbs about every 9 months. So if you don't want to buy bulbs every year. Go with led. There are tons of people out there that have farming systems with leds. But t-5s are easier, no adjustments, trying to mess with blues, whites, red, green colors. But for some that's part of the fun

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I run LED but tbh I'm starting to think I should have went T5. If only because I can't figure out the spectrum I want to run and it's so easy to switch the scheduling and spectrum with AI :( just did 2 weeks at 14k but read some stuff that convinced me to try 10k.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I run LED but tbh I'm starting to think I should have went T5. If only because I can't figure out the spectrum I want to run and it's so easy to switch the scheduling and spectrum with AI :( just did 2 weeks at 14k but read some stuff that convinced me to try 10k.

mix the color to what you want. then set intensity. The same coral will grow just as well under 8k as it does with 20k. it needs the correct amount(intensity).

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

My dad can beat up your dad

hahaha...

 

[Rick.45cal]

If you have an ATI powermodule you don't even have to have this discussion :D

 

[ifarmer]

Led provides more controllable options
Sleek looking
Easy to ship when you sell
LED manufactures releases new version of the same light every year just like iPhone
less heat
Hard to take photo
electric usage = the same as T5 because those that get good results usually use a lot of LED fixtures to avoid shadow...etc. Those that use less fixtures to save money dont get good result :)
cost more than T5 or MH because people usually change to different LED after a year or two
cost more than T5 or MH because alot of non experience reefers werent happy with coloration so they keep throw away corals.


T5,
good color
bulbs replacement every 10 months (this is nothing for those that grow sps)

this past black friday, I bought myself 24 new T5 bulbs so to keep my mind away from thinking about LED

 

[ReeferBee]

Go with what you like best. Just remember nothing good happens fast, and make sure you're giving adequate time for corals to adjust before switching things up. Don't forget stability is king in our hobby

 

[3mm3]

Led provides more controllable options
Sleek looking
Easy to ship when you sell
Easy to buy because every stores and online sells them
less heat
Hard to take photo
cost more than T5 or MH because people usually change to different LED after a year or two
cost more than T5 or MH because alot of non experience reefers werent happy with coloration so they keep throw away corals.

Very true.
My first LED unit was almost 1k and failed in less than 2 years. Had to purchase 2 more.
LED's where marketed for longevity but I just don't see it.
I just view leds as an expensive toy that can grow coral.