rfilley June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 My 30g reef sprung a leak. I've got it slowed down, but will probably take this opportunity to go up to a 90g or 125g reef. Right now I am running all LED's and everything is growing. What are peoples experiences out there on bigger tanks and LED's. Also don't have any experience with T5's. Which is better/more cost effective. Don't have a ton of time, so opinions PLEASE.
Ryan S June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 ecotech radions. if money isn't an object, it's the best light on the market.
trockafella June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 ecotech radions. if money isn't an object, it's the best light on the market. Who didnt know that was coming.. If im not mistaken youve been contemplating switching (several times now) to MH's or a combo.... OP- depends on your needs, wants and budget. How about a little more info into the potential new tank.?
Ryan S June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 Who didnt know that was coming.. If im not mistaken youve been contemplating switching (several times now) to MH's or a combo.... OP- depends on your needs, wants and budget. How about a little more info into the potential new tank.? only bc my tank is so deep. a 90g or 125g would be A-OK.
trockafella June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 Then its not the best light on the market. You just said it yourself. Not to mention the OP would need 3 @ $800 ea.
Ryan S June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 (edited) He'd only need 2 over a 90g tank (that's all Mr SWT had and his tank was packed with SPS). And they sell used, regularly, for $600 each. So $1200 total; which is half of your $2400 estimate. And he'd save $$$ in bulbs, electric, heating, etc. See here. Edited June 11, 2012 by Ryan S
trockafella June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 You're right... They're the best light and long term deal. They're amazing and will never been beaten bc they're upgradable too.. Oh, and they have storm mode. I renig my previous statements, and bow down to the all mighty radion light... There is NO way another light could even be close, so no need for the debate.
Ryan S June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 You're right... They're the best light and long term deal. They're amazing and will never been beaten bc they're upgradable too.. Oh, and they have storm mode. I renig my previous statements, and bow down to the all mighty radion light... There is NO way another light could even be close, so no need for the debate.
surf&turf June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 You're right... They're the best light and long term deal. They're amazing and will never been beaten bc they're upgradable too.. Oh, and they have storm mode. I renig my previous statements, and bow down to the all mighty radion light... There is NO way another light could even be close, so no need for the debate. Awesome!! I vote for MH/T-5 Combo!!
Swimboy123 June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 Definitely go LED. I had 80 3W cree lights on my 150 and things were growing like a champ!
trockafella June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 Awesome!! I vote for MH/T-5 Combo!! Taking a bow. I will be doing a second show at 7pm,Thank you and please tip your waitress..
surf&turf June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 That pic looks like storm mode on a radion. Wonder when they will come out with hurricane mode?
roni June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 You're right... They're the best light and long term deal. They're amazing and will never been beaten bc they're upgradable too.. Oh, and they have storm mode. I renig my previous statements, and bow down to the all mighty radion light... There is NO way another light could even be close, so no need for the debate. lol. In seriousness, it depends on your budget, what you're growing, and your own personal likes and dislikes. I personally like the mh/T5 combo the most of the lights I've tried in the last 2 years. if you have LEDs on your current setup and like them, there's no reason to not try them on a bigger setup. A few of the LEDs that are hitting the market that look interesting to me (in addition to the radions) are the maxspect razor, the Pacific sun lights, and the AI vega. If you have DIY skills, that's probably the most cost effective strategy.
trockafella June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 Wonder when they will come out with hurricane mode? Probably in the next free update. Also comes with rainbow mode..
steveoutlaw June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 Tighten up you two........your little bickering session isn't helping OR answering the question. Plain and simple, go out and look at tanks. If you like LED, go see a larger tank with LEDs. If you want to see what a MH/T5 combo looks like, go check one out. It is all personal preference. I'm personally a fan of the MH/T5 combo. But, figure out what you want and then don't skimp. Like everything in this hobby, you get what you pay for. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
hlem June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 +1 go check out the options at member's tank? There should be plenty of varieties locally.
GraffitiSpotCorals June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 I went to a store in Florida that has had LEDs for two years, their radion tank looked like junk and their chinese led lit tanks looked great. I don't understand much of it but I just thought that was funny. Just to add I know next to nothing about LEDs. Also rushing a lighting decision normally doesn't end up well. Go check out some tanks or something, we run 10k metal halides with t5's and soon will have some LEDs on there too for some more blue
Chad June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 Want something tried and true, lots of people, lots of time, lots of success? Go with a MH/T5 combo. Want to be part of the testing, refining, some success, and direction the hobby will likely go? Go with LEDs. Really, I think the decision has more to do with how much you (OP considering options) likes to be an early technology adopter or go with something that has known downsides and risks.
BowieReefer84 June 11, 2012 June 11, 2012 (edited) My 30g reef sprung a leak. I've got it slowed down, but will probably take this opportunity to go up to a 90g or 125g reef. Right now I am running all LED's and everything is growing. What are peoples experiences out there on bigger tanks and LED's. Also don't have any experience with T5's. Which is better/more cost effective. Don't have a ton of time, so opinions PLEASE. Well, this is a little off your original question. BUT, if you are in the market for a 90-125 range I would say get a 120. This way you could light the tank with 2 halides and maybe a couple T5's if you end up going this route. If you get a 125 it is a 6' tank, and will require 3 halides for full coverage even though it is only 5gal more... However, if you want a few tangs it may be worth it for you to get a 6' tank. I would say get a 4' tank if you want to do MH/T5 combo or a 5' tank if you want to do T5 only. If you want to get LED make sure you pay attention to the coverage provided by each fixture as well. This is crucial imo. Just stuff to think about. Goodluck Edited June 11, 2012 by BowieReefer84
rfilley June 12, 2012 Author June 12, 2012 Well, this is a little off your original question. BUT, if you are in the market for a 90-125 range I would say get a 120. This way you could light the tank with 2 halides and maybe a couple T5's if you end up going this route. If you get a 125 it is a 6' tank, and will require 3 halides for full coverage even though it is only 5gal more... However, if you want a few tangs it may be worth it for you to get a 6' tank. I would say get a 4' tank if you want to do MH/T5 combo or a 5' tank if you want to do T5 only. If you want to get LED make sure you pay attention to the coverage provided by each fixture as well. This is crucial imo. Just stuff to think about. Goodluck Thanks for all the info. I also had someone suggest the AI Sol for LED lighting. I guess I'll go to a few stores and see what looks good. I probable won't go too crazy on SPS's and I think staying at 4 feet so as not to have to go that much more expensive on the lighting may be a good idea. I still have to pay for sand and rock to fill it. I definitely want to avoid a chiller if at all possible.
chucelli June 12, 2012 June 12, 2012 ok, that's gotta be the funniest/creative pic I've seen in a while. did you draw that? Want something tried and true, lots of people, lots of time, lots of success? Go with a MH/T5 combo. Want to be part of the testing, refining, some success, and direction the hobby will likely go? Go with LEDs. Really, I think the decision has more to do with how much you (OP considering options) likes to be an early technology adopter or go with something that has known downsides and risks. +1 best objective advice. I definitely want to avoid a chiller if at all possible. If this is important to you, you may want to seriously consider running LEDs. good luck! -Robert
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