led confused

led will support coral and will get growth... but despite all my tests and all the tests from my friends, it cannot come close to the growth rates of halides yet.

Its all because of the spectrum. Halides just have more of a full spectrum than LEDs can have. LEDs are AMAZING for bringing our color or adding a little white to a tank but they arent ready for prime time yet... trust me, i know what im talking about when it comes to light.

 

I will probably find myself sticking with T5s for now. While I like LEDs and I do believe substantial growth can be had from some of the better units, The tech. isn't quite there for me. I will be going to college in fall of 2012. I think by the time I am done, much greater lighting will be out. I can't see spending $800 on lighting for my tank which can be replaced in 3-4 years(most led fixtures suggested to last 30 - 50,000 hours) for much better lighting by then.

I will have my lights for about a year(T5 fixture $approx $2-300), then I don't know what is going to happen to my reef tank. I may be out for a few years.