do people still consider buying Metal Halight for their new setup ?

[Aquaman_68]

leds r nothing more than the new supplimental lighting...U want to argue go right ahead......I've seen the evolution & change in the hobby close to two decades.... When vho's first came out that was the big deal that u could run a reef tank with them only!!! ( & yes I was one who would argue that claim that u could!!!)

than came t5's &....... now led's....

bottom line.....u can have a reef tank with led's.....but don't compare it to a MH/led system or a MH vho system cause there is!!! No comparision!!!

& all u with led's will hear "I told u so" when u finally realize it urself!!!!! I don't care what kind u got.... Shimmer is there...but no way the shimmer that is produced with a mh!!

two lincolns if u care!!

 

[Aquaman_68]

so basically to answer ur question.....If I was setting up a new system.....MH would still b in the fold!!!!

 

[salthobby]

LEDs will never have the shimmer that halides do.
But,hopefully LEDs will drop in price and then I might consider it for my next set up.

I have AI's and the shimmer is less but I also have a Kessil and the shimmer from that little light blows away MH

 

[Reefless me]

leds r nothing more than the new supplimental lighting...U want to argue go right ahead......I've seen the evolution & change in the hobby close to two decades.... When vho's first came out that was the big deal that u could run a reef tank with them only!!! ( & yes I was one who would argue that claim that u could!!!)

Ditto! I've been using MH/VHO for 20+years and have had great success. I feel as though when it comes to lighting we are all being robbed with prices we pay. But the cost of an led system is straight up gouging.

I really have yet to see an led lit tank that has blown me away. Just not worth the money to me.

 

[Alex]

I ran a nice sps tank with just vho. Got great color and growth.

There is more than one way to skin a cat as they say.

There are some sick tanks out there that just run led. Take a look at the link I posted earlier and tell me led is just supplemental.

 

[MikeG]

There are some sick tanks out there that just run led. Take a look at the link I posted earlier and tell me led is just supplemental.

That tank is awesome, here is the link again in case anyone just skipped over it http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2029329&highlight=brazil

I will just add that although I do not use LED, I am definitely open minded to them possibly being the future if prices come down. Just because something has worked for 20 years, doesn't mean it is the best technology. To have the option of having unbelievable PAR #s, the ability to change to any color temperature you want to, and not having to replace a fixture for 5 years are very attractive.

 

[dz6t]

When the push was on to switch to T5's, VHO was the format that seemed to be getting abandoned. For the life of me I couldnt figure out why. To equal the wattage of a VHO you need 3 T5's. With the cost of T5 bulbs being about the same as vhos and needing 3 to one to equal the wattage, for me it wasn't cost effective. I know the lumen output from T5's are supposed to be high, I just couldn't reconcile the added expense of replacing extra bulbs and end caps. Especially since there was a question of shortened lifespan issues when being driven fron Ice Cap ballasts.

As far as I read about, it is the smaller tube diameter of t-5 led to a more efficient reflector can be used to increase light output under the lamp.
For my experience, a t-5 without an individual reflector is on par with a PC light.

 

[Aquaman_68]

I ran a nice sps tank with just vho. Got great color and growth.

There is more than one way to skin a cat as they say.

There are some sick tanks out there that just run led. Take a look at the link I posted earlier and tell me led is just supplemental.

I ran a VHO tank with sps in the beginning....And with great success I may add....But compared to MH...there was no comparision... Bar none!!! I had to run my tank way too clean to get the light from my vho lighting to penetrate!!

Alex, I've skinned the cat alot of different ways...

I wouldn't think of it any other way....U need to try things with an open mind (& open wallet at times) But after the amount of years in....My mind begins to close................especially with lighting....

Please don't take my text or what I have personally experienced the wrong way....

I didn't add to this post to start a

I've talked to many people over the course of the last 1.5 years in regards to LED's (people who bought into them for big bucks I may add) I can't even tell u how many have switched back!!!& the ones that haven't will eventually!! (or add MH once they really see a full blown MH reef in person again!!!)

OH & btw...in regards to wich led's people were not happy with!!!!All different types of mfg I may add so please don't ask me the 1 million dollar question..."which ones?"

pics or links of tanks mean nothing to me!!! in person!!! That is the true judge!!! when u are away from something long enough u forget what it was really like...U ever see old pics of ur reef u have compiled & tried to compare to ur present reef... (when maybe u were going thru a rough patch in the hobby?) & say "dam" to yourself...My reef is not really lookin to hot right now!!! & u spend more time getting it back in shape!! I've had a few reefers come over & see my tank after switching to LED's for well over a year...only to have them say....u know....I love MH!!!

So IDK...maybe I'm the only reefer on earth that thinks this way..... The closed minded person who thinks there is only one way to skin a cat!!!

NOT...
Sorry.....LED"S....not gonna do it!!!

 

[Bruno]

I ran a VHO tank with sps in the beginning....And with great success I may add....But compared to MH...there was no comparision... Bar none!!! I had to run my tank way too clean to get the light from my vho lighting to penetrate!!

Alex, I've skinned the cat alot of different ways...

I wouldn't think of it any other way....U need to try things with an open mind (& open wallet at times) But after the amount of years in....My mind begins to close................especially with lighting....

Please don't take my text or what I have personally experienced the wrong way....

I didn't add to this post to start a

I've talked to many people over the course of the last 1.5 years in regards to LED's (people who bought into them for big bucks I may add) I can't even tell u how many have switched back!!!& the ones that haven't will eventually!! (or add MH once they really see a full blown MH reef in person again!!!)

OH & btw...in regards to wich led's people were not happy with!!!!All different types of mfg I may add so please don't ask me the 1 million dollar question..."which ones?"

pics or links of tanks mean nothing to me!!! in person!!! That is the true judge!!! when u are away from something long enough u forget what it was really like...U ever see old pics of ur reef u have compiled & tried to compare to ur present reef... (when maybe u were going thru a rough patch in the hobby?) & say "dam" to yourself...My reef is not really lookin to hot right now!!! & u spend more time getting it back in shape!! I've had a few reefers come over & see my tank after switching to LED's for well over a year...only to have them say....u know....I love MH!!!

So IDK...maybe I'm the only reefer on earth that thinks this way..... The closed minded person who thinks there is only one way to skin a cat!!!

NOT...
Sorry.....LED"S....not gonna do it!!!

So what do you say about that guys tank in the above link he has been using LED's since day one (2.5 years).. Not an argument I'm just asking?

 

[Aquaman_68]

So what do you say about that guys tank in the above link he has been using LED's since day one (2.5 years).. Not an argument I'm just asking?

What.....U want to fight??

I would love to see it in person!!! But I'm not gonna travel to brazil to do so!!!

I don't judge unless I can see something in person!!! pics r easy to deceive.....

 

[smithcreek]

So what do you say about that guys tank in the above link he has been using LED's since day one (2.5 years).. Not an argument I'm just asking?

Looks like his corals are happy, but to me it looks like nearly every coral in that tank was glued down and has barely encrusted over the glue/plug. I think he bought most of those at nearly the size they are at in the pictures.

Look at this picture:

As far as LEDs go, the original question was would I still look at MH with a new setup. My answer is yes, I'd buy them used on the cheap from someone who is probably selling them to buy LEDs. I'd stick a couple of Radiums in them and wait for LEDs to look as good. By that time I'm sure they'll be cheaper too.

 

[Aquaman_68]

interesting.............

 

[Bruno]

 

[Aquaman_68]

I seen him move....he aint dead

 

[stingythingy45]

Looks like his corals are happy, but to me it looks like nearly every coral in that tank was glued down and has barely encrusted over the glue/plug. I think he bought most of those at nearly the size they are at in the pictures.

I agree the corals look like they were stuck there and never encrusted.
Nice color and nice size corals but it's like a new tank.SPS generally don't have great growth like that until they're base has encrusted.
Maybe living under LEDs and nice color but not thriving.
Also,did anybody see any clams(T Crocea)?
The whole bottom of the tank looks very shadowy.But,who knows if he had it on 100% power.
I'm with Brian,seeing in person is believing when it comes to coral growth.
There is a rather lengthy thread on RC of folks that have switched back from LED to halides.

The Kessel might have more shimmer than SOL LED,but it will not blow away a halide.

 

[Aquaman_68]

someone should paste that link !!

 

[Alex]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18757582#post18757582

Here is a pic of his tank from before he switched to the AI sols. Still led. As for that pic you posted he had just rearranged his tank to go bare bottom.

I guess haters just have to hate.

It's the pictures, he bought those corals like that.

I do think there is a lot of user errors with people who are switching to led but just because you haven't seen a great tank with led doesn't mean they aren't out there.

Again I think halides are great. I have a halide vho set up now. To me the advantages of not having to change bulbs with it's cost and acclimation swung the deal . I hate gambling money trying out new bulbs hoping I'm going to like the color. I like that I'm not going to have to have a big canopy to hold all my lighting (so does my wife).

The thing I don't understand is how people can say definitely that one is better than the other. To me it is really about taste. Some people love the shimmer from a halide. Some love that cool look that the right t5 bulb combo gives you.

If it was all about maximizing growth we'd all be running 5000-6500k bulbs.

To the original posters question I think many people will still choose halides. Personally I am comfortable that led will grow sps and it's other benefits are right for ME.

I guess we will see If people get to tell me I told you so.

 

[JayM]

Well, I have a 'new' setup that I finished plumbing at midnight last night.

Anyone want to know what I am using for lights?







Wait for it.......







wait for it.........








wait.....for......it.....








LED's......for my moonlights.

250w DE MH for the actual light - although I may add a strip of blue LED's for Actinic, and see how that goes.

 

[stingythingy45]

someone should paste that link !!

It's basically like this one.
Back and forth like the Hatfields and McCoys.lol
The good post are the ones where folks seem to be honest and have had both halides and LEDs.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2110864

 

[delta]

You are going to a few different schools of thought

if you have been in the hobby 20yrs and halides have been around and beat out everything that has come down the pike as Halides are versatile and interchangeable as there is a standard and has been for some time. Most likely you either are in the no, No but watching or they are just not there yet category.

If you are sold on LED you are trying to sell them based on your linking them. And the fact is I have seen tanks with all types of lighting on them that look good. LED is just coming to the point it is a serious contender and there is no doubt about that. The ability to control LEDs is very cool. But for me I want time tested, industry standards on what I buy.

Not right or wrong, just how I do things and I thank you all for beta testing for me

But let us not forget lighting is only one part of the equation, just like some have a green thumb and other grow weeds really well, some have will have a nice tank no matter how they put it together.

In the end it is not how you get there just that you get there.