What Type of Lighting Do you Prefer?

[Phil Cusimano]

I like mixing old and new lighting technology, I'm using a combination of HD LED's and T5's, the Aruba Sun V-Series T5 HO fluorescent (4 bulbs) and 2 Hydra fifty-two HD. I wanted to see what the community's preference are.

 

[Nano101]

I have all 3 on seperate tanks (ok, I used to have T5HOs on my 75). I prefer LED (quality and controllable LED), but MH is an excellent source, but the cost to operate and change bulbs can be a killer

 

[Phil Cusimano]

I have all 3 on seperate tanks (ok, I used to have T5HOs on my 75). I prefer LED (quality and controllable LED), but MH is an excellent source, but the cost to operate and change bulbs can be a killer

Tell me about the cost of running metal halides, when I first started to keep reef aquariums circa 1989 ... members of my aquarium society told me MH's were the best lights to run for a reef aquarium. Which I happen to agree with, but I kept watch that little wheel in my electric meter spin like crazy $$$ ! :-)

 

[Nano101]

I still have a JBJ 75w MH for a 14g nano. I just keep it because it works, but vs. my Prime HD at 24W at peak, it's a lot more energy, and bulb replacement can get pricey

 

[Coastie Reefer]

I love LED... it's basically the only thing I've used though. When I lived in FL there was a huge warehouse coral store that ran 100% MH and they looked awesome, but you definitely got a tan while looking for frags. My biggest drawback on LED's is taking pictures is a pain!

 

[Rick.45cal]

I love my ATI powermodule 8x80watt T5's and 4x75watt LED's. It really makes just spectacularly beautiful light, and puts out tons of PAR. ATI's LED's compliment their T5 set up really flawlessly. I'm a very happy customer.