I agree that the blue/white flicker is kinda annoying , but being able to fine tune your color temp by dimming the different color LEDs is a huge plus . Next tank i light will be with a diy led setup , probably from rapid led . Now i just have to hurry up and get a new tank .

MHs are certainly not outdated, still by far my personal favourite for color and effect. LEDs can't offer the effect from the single source which creates stunning rays and shadows for contrast. By far the most natural lighting and the best lighting for photography is MH. Also for actinic effect fluorescents take that prize not LEDs.

Bingo. I for one do not like 14K or higher, but rather a crisp 12K. so when I build my LEDs I will be build them so thats what I get when both colors are on full.

as for Naesco's statments.. sorry I have to go with Brad on this one.. when you see a coral in the wild during the day you are seeing the true color. I used to do the same as Brad with my corals.. take them outside for a true color. when in the tank especialy when lit with RB leds you are getting a floressence line you stated and yes the corals has thoes emzines but you do not see that in the wild, except for some cases of deep water corals where there is no real visable light.

yes there is floressence in shallow reef but to a very small degree, for a small period at sunrise and sunset there will be more but no where near the amount you see in artificialy lit reefs.

Steve

+1
I have seen tanks under LED and none are to my liking. When i see a few years old tank under LED that producing polyp extention growth and vitality like MH does may be then i will consider the LED.
If and only when the price tag is considerably lower then it is now.
There is no way i will spend 2K on LED lighting when i can get MH for under $300

yup I'm with you Brad MH hasn't failed after how many years

people keep saying this but there are several tanks out there that are aproaching 4 years running and yes the growth, PE and color are just as good (and even better on a couple I have seen) than MH, on some systems that people have made.

don't get me wrong I am very Pro MH, but I do see the other side of LED also. very expensive like you said to buy a premade system thats good, but about the same as MH if you can build your own. it cost me 600 just to build my 2x250 MH, and I can build a LED that will cover the same size tank for about 700.

Steve

really 500 on how big of a tank Steve I should get you to build me one for mine

smaller than yours :mrgreen:

that would be 700 like I posted not 500, that would have been on my 90 (3x2x2) and I would end up with a high PAR level, spend another 150 and the PAR would be through the roof.

sorry not building now due to my job and no time. Have to finnish training at work and get my shop finnished then we'll see.

Steve

I just started my very first reef tank i dont have any corals but i absolutly love my MH fixture. Landed coming from the states i bought it complete with bulbs for $400 can't beat it for 656w. I think LED'S still have alot to prove.

Big thread would like to have a word with you:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...1991180&page=4

:D