T5 versus LED lighting

Starting up a 48 gallon reef...it's cycling now, but wondering if I should invest in a T5 or those new LED ones that I see at Big Al's.

Double Bright LED Lighting System (36" - 48") - Lighting - LED at BigalsOnline

Suggestions?

 

T5s. A good LED fixture is expensive, and cheap fixtures are cheap for a reason. Look at how far apart the LEDs are on that fixture. A good LED fixture would have four or five times that amount of bulbs.

My LFS got the smaller version to try on their nano, and I wasn't impressed with it. That fixture looks really sweet I just wish it had more LEDs.

 

If you have the money and time. Why don't you wait for the t2 bulbs.

In this case, I would go with t5ho over led.

 

I read this from the Pet Mountain site; "These LED Lights are only for Fish Only marine tanks or Freshwater low light planted tanks (crypts, anubis, java fern etc). It could also be an excellent light for a refugium system, but is not intended as a reef lighting system."

You may want to try 2 of these; Aquarium Specialty

I just put one in my Biocube and love the look. For under $200.00 I think you will like them.

 

ya stay away from those leds. Thats the reason why the good led's for a 48inch are like 5k for them but worth every penny. Ya save for t2 or just get some halides for a 48inch one, thats what I just did, ive done t5's now I want to see how halides do.

 

yup gotta agree, stick with those t5's.

where in canada are you dom?

 

Six or eight light T5 depending on what you plan on keeping.

 

Go with the t5ho.

When the properly powerful LEDS get less expensive, then LED's will be a totally viable $$ efficient choice. They are not at that stage yet.

 

Depending on depth go with t5ho with slr's and quality bulbs/ballasts. If you want the shimmer of halides go with them or add a strip of inexpensive LED's if you have room.

 

hey thanks for the input guys! and divott, im in toronto!