What type of lighting is best?

[CHEAPREEF]

I really like the hybrid option, gives you the diffused light your corals need (mostly SPS) and the slight shimmer and spectrum control so you can tweak in the look you like.
I run a DIY fixture with 2 AI Hydra 26's and 4 ATI T5 run off 4 Sunblaster. Growth and coloring are miles better than when I ran LED only. I run the LEDs for the bulk of the 12hr photo period, T5's only run 5hrs a day so they will end up lasting 2X longer than standard full T5 fixture before needing to be changed out.

[Ryan]

I am running a 6 bulb T5 with ATI bulbs over my 20 inch deep tank and works great.

I would like to pop colour a little more so my plan is to down to 4 bulbs with 2 mars aqua fixtures and the end goal being 2 bulbs of t5 with ATI Blue Plus and 4 of the mars aqua.

I believe this will give me a good combination of growth and color, and pop.

[tang daddy]

LEDs give you the pop but unfortunately they have a problem with coverage and shadowing, especially if your tank is tall. The tried tested and true combo like many above have said is t5 led which gives you coverage and minimal shading. I run all 3 (t5,mh,led)and really loving the vivid colours I am achieving atm.

[Frogger]

From what you have said it sounds like everyone is telling you something different and you have received a bunch of advice.

Reef tank lights are like cars and everyone has an opinion. Find out what you like (research), what you need/ require (based on what you want to grow or not grow) and what your budget for those lights are and then make a decision.

Once you make a decision quit second guessing yourself because you will drive yourself nuts thinking about what you don't have or could have got. Your tank lighting is just one small part of the big picture.

[DKoKoMan]

Lots of good information provided on this thread. Look at some of your favorite tanks you have viewed in person (we all know the ones we admire) and see what type of lights they are running. Price has a lot to do with higher end lights and visual appeal. That being said many reefers achieve the same results with combinations and get a visually stunning tank

[Cujo#31]

Oh man...if you wanna strike up a heated debate, you found the topic. FWIW, I prefer T5 ATI as the bulb of choice but honestly, lighting is as much a personal choice as the Corals you chose to keep. Every tank is different, everyone has a different opinion. T5 is a trued and true if you grow SPS, Halides as well and they add that shimmer so many find appealing but also add a ton of heat, power consumption and high priced bulb replacement. Tried LED, I’m not part of that camp. The real important considerations are water column height, and desired PAR ratings. That will often limit your options right oqut of the gate.

[e46er]

I have used 2x150 MH, 2x250MH and LEDs. in that order

the LED provided by far the best color and best looking corals I ever had. the 2x250 provided WAYYYY faster growth. but as tthe LEDs were the last in use my experience also went up and that system was basically self automated and WC were just opening and closing valves and a light switch to activate the pump so my husbandry also was at its highest, until of the the seal blew and 250G ended up on the floor and I lost everything but its been almost a year so today im going to pickup a new tank!