Metal Halide or LED?

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by Brennan, Feb 13, 2011.

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  1. Brennan

    Brennan Gigas Clam

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  3. FaceOfDeceit

    FaceOfDeceit Hockey Beard

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    I'm partial to LED because I dove in head first on them...I own 2 different LED fixtures...BoostLED's Mu135W, and a DIY CREE XP-G/XR-E combo from RapidLED. I will soon be purchasing some of Orphek's new PR-25's, and possibly a few PAR 38's from Rapid.
     
  4. Nismo400rgtr

    Nismo400rgtr Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    Just get LED's and don't look back :)
     
  5. Brennan

    Brennan Gigas Clam

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    I know, I am just apprehensive and need to make sure its what I want...One big thing is that I don't want to pick a color then want to change it later. With T5's all I have to do is buy a different bulb and If I want shimmer I can add some stunner strips to the T5
     
  6. seabass1

    seabass1 Montipora Digitata

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    Agreed!
     
  7. Nismo400rgtr

    Nismo400rgtr Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    Sounds like your leaned towards the T5 then. Go for it if you like the "tuneability" bulb changing offers.
     
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  9. initial_reefer

    initial_reefer Bristle Worm

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    I have a aquamedic t-5 8 bulb and I love it but if i were to do it over again I would do led's for the engery savings
     
  10. robl45

    robl45 Flamingo Tongue

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    I would do LED or T5 with some LED for shimmer. Metal Halide is great if you have money to burn on electric.
     
  11. Anldyxp

    Anldyxp Skunk Shrimp

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    I've been wanting to upgrade my LED fixture too. Have you looked into the Ecoray 60D LED fixtures? The LFS I go to run these on all their frag tanks and they look awesome. The fixtures are hung about 3ft above the tanks too. Ecoray claims that they match MH lighting. One of their testing videos shows the light reading 500par @ 2ft depth. I think this is going to be my next one.
     
  12. Servillius

    Servillius Montipora Digitata

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    I just put an AI Sol unit on my tank. Its a whole different look, but a very cool one. Halides are cool and the light diffuses throughout the tank. These LED's put out some intense light when they want to though. Its like the water isn't there.

    Get the LEDs... don't look back.