12" SPS cube

No problem. I suppose both? Not sure if my experience was unique or if this happened to others. But it did happen to me FWIW.

 

You are not understanding me. I said if an LED is equal to an MH in coloration and growth (equal!) then it trumps MH bc of energy and heat output. Of course, if the LED is not equal to MH in coloration and growth then it's not better.

I'm saying I don't feel LED needs to be better, only equal to MH to be better tool due to energy and heat.

I don't know why you responded the way you did. :

Highlighting the if there; that is exactly what I was saying Seano.

 

That's an awesome little tank. You can always raise the light up higher and add a fan. You'll probably have to add topoff water daily. Hey, maybe you can hook up an ATO though;D

 

Sorry if I snapped, it just seems that everytime someone hears that I am not moving over to LED's I am instantly doing something wrong. Then the whole LED crowd comes over to tell me how my tank will overheat and crash because its too small for MH. After a while you just get tired of hearing the same old thing. That being said ; if someone can show me a good example of someone having the same or better results from a 100% LED reef from day one as a MH tank then I would highly consider the switch. I do agree that if growth and color were equal, then the LED would be the better choice.

Again, sorry for jumping you.

 

no worries

Looking forward to updates on this tank

 

Actually, I would think it would be great to keep the fixture you have on your tank and give feedback reports. Alot of people are unaware of how inexpensive the mh lights fromfishneedit.com are. there t5 fixtures as well.

Only one LFS carries this brand locally and he has no compliants. I have been eying this fixture and seeing how you have the perfect setup with the perfect bulb is great.

its great that your doing this build with the least equipment as possible and with things you have laying around. I think this is great for experiment and education and will give much more ideas to others than a setup with all the latest and greatest equipment would.

I think the leds is an idea however down the rd. If only to compare and find out for yourself the true winner (MH vs Led) if nothing else.

Great build!!

 

I don't suggest switching to leds when you already have a good halide. However.... there are a lot and lots of examples of people having great results with leds... This was one result when I just did a quick google search, there are a number of examples in this thread Tanks and Corals under LED Lighting - Page 6 - Reef Central Online Community

I have seen lots of others elsewhere as well. I personally run a MH on my main tank though, but I think leds are great as well. I'm not taking any side on the light debate, either way can absolutely grow corals really well.

Again though, I'm certainly not suggesting buying a new light when you already have a perfectly good MH. My point was just that you will likely have heat issues on that small of a tank. However, there are things you can do to compensate, ranging from simple (raising light and adding fan) to complicated (adding chiller).

 

Thanks for the link, I will read up and see what its got.

 

We finally have rox :

 

really didnt like the bare bottom look, so a small layer of sand was added. hope i dont regret it.