To stir this pot more I'm going to add my .01 (economy sucks so I'm cheap!). I started off with 4 T5's (DIY Hagen Glo system). I liked the color but not having to change bulbs about every 9 months or so and slow growth. I tried several brands of bulbs and the ATI were the best by far. I moved up to dual 250w HQI Phoenix 14k's with a couple of T5's. Color was okay, but everything looked kind of washed out to me. I did have pretty descent growth but nothing spectacular. I saved and earned some extra $$ and built my own LED's from Rapid LED. I am running 30 3w Cree--10 UV, 12 RB and 8 CW. I love them! I have much better growth and color. I have a green slimer that has basically sat on it's plug from the time I got it through the T5's and MH and nothing. Since I began running the LED's it has "sprouts" everywhere. I have a couple of Monti caps that where growing but nothing great--now they are beginning to "swirl" and their colors are great. My tank is a non-RR 55g with a hang on overflow and custom sump. I run a no-name skimmer, ATO with kalk and supp. daily with 2-part.
Another example of coloration and growth is a friends tank. He switched from MH (3 250w HQI on a 125) to AI Sol's. His new tank is a 250DD (I think the gallons are right) and he has three of the AI's. He buys high end corals only, and has GREAT coloration and growth. I just have to say that I think that, like everything else, that each tank is different and that it boils down to one thing--IF YOU LIKE IT, that is what matters, regardless of what anyone else thinks.
