LED lighting advice.

[Puff Daddy]

My favorite, option 3 with T5 supplement.

 

[reef87]

his budget is $200 or less according to post#1

 

[drwellness]

What are the thoughts on reefbreeders lights? I had sps for a few years with their value system, and they were great when needed to replace either a driver or the whole led panel when the blues died. All covered no cost, years later.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

 

[dz6t]

I found it hard to justify paying double for a RB value fixture basically equivalent to a black box eBay fixture.

 

[Cpage101]

Go on the web and check out sb reeflights. Better spectrum than the mars aqua and a 2 year warranty. I just got the timer model

 

[Jvjabour]

The reason I wanted to go with LEDs was to keep ongoing and operating costs down. I was looking to draw around 100 watts for lights, as opposed to the old rule of 3-5 watts per gallon. So it does not seem to make sense for me to get the LED most "affordable" LED fixture if the power consumption is > a T5 fixture. In any case, after getting the 40br positioned, I hated the way it looked in the room. Soooo I'm back to tank design. I think I'm going go with an up and running 54 corner system. Light-wise considering either, just sticking with T5, or going LED with the AI Twenty Six or the Reef Breeders Photon 2-V2. Thoughts on the AI and the ReefBreeders, or just sticking with something like a 6 bulb T5?

 

[Rhino]

I had a reef breeders value fixture over my 29 for a couple years. Its ok but is absolutely nothing like my xr30w pro. Going from a cheap light to a good one will make you understand how important lighting is to coral growth. If your looking for a light to just get by for now try to get a good used light instead of a cheap new one I would suggest. Some of the AI and the Radions are upgradeable even though thats not cheap either but I have seen Gen 1 Radions go for around your price range. You would most likely need the wide angle lenses. AI Vegas can be upgraded to Hydras I believe.

 

[G.T]

The reason I wanted to go with LEDs was to keep ongoing and operating costs down. I was looking to draw around 100 watts for lights, as opposed to the old rule of 3-5 watts per gallon. So it does not seem to make sense for me to get the LED most "affordable" LED fixture if the power consumption is > a T5 fixture. In any case, after getting the 40br positioned, I hated the way it looked in the room. Soooo I'm back to tank design. I think I'm going go with an up and running 54 corner system. Light-wise considering either, just sticking with T5, or going LED with the AI Twenty Six or the Reef Breeders Photon 2-V2. Thoughts on the AI and the ReefBreeders, or just sticking with something like a 6 bulb T5?

In all fairness the watts per gallon, really does not mean the same with LEDS.
Why not go with a lower priced 6 tube t5 unit? Some great offers on fleabay. Just upgrade the lamps/tubes for some quality tubes in a few months.
I am old school. Started off 25 years ago with Halides. I have tried T5's and a brief attempt with LEDS. But Still go back, and sticking with my Halides!

 

[reef87]

LED is nice
it looks modern and high tech. it uses less electricity. can be controlled easily.
No need to replace yearly bulbs. Easy to pack and ship when need to get rid of.

The con with LED are
1. I always afraid that my stick corals would go from color to no color (either brown or white).
2. Afraid that I would have to try out at least 6-8 LED fixtures before I really know which one work for my tank

I will switch to LED once I see guys like Nick use them on his display tank, or Dong use them on his pride SPS colonies tank.

 

[dz6t]

I think Nick just sold his LED... hahaha
Yes I use everything I have, LED, halide, t-5

 

[Jvjabour]

Pretty sure I'm going to go with ATI T5s. I saw them today, reasonably priced, fantastic color, and for what it's worth, a proven setup. Maybe I'll look at LEDs again when it's time to replace bulbs.
Thank you all for the advice and experience sharing.