LED light help

[rishu_pepper]

Originally Posted by Metrontech

So it's in our basement and heat isn't an issue so far

In using a dual Ho T5 right now

I want to keep soft coral:

Leathers
Plate coral
Enenemies
GSP
Currently have Red blasto (growing successfully)
Bubble
Hammer coral

Mike

Plate, blasto, bubble, and hammers are not softies, but LPS. Anemone (if enememies ) is not a coral. HTH.

Though I've never used T5HO, I have had experiences with 150w MH and LEDs (Hydra52) and have found the LEDs to be more productive with my corals. JME, YMMV. My new build I'm going back to LEDs, this time with Ecotech Radions.

I used to try to pinch pennies in the hobby but I changed my stance eventually as I want the best for my tank's inhabitants. Not to say you can't keep a tank with a small budget, in fact many are successful with the basics. I'd rather buy once cry once though.

[jason604]

If u don't want to spend to much u can try those chinese made leds on eBay. They are super cheap(around 100-150) and can grow everything including sps. They might not thrive n best colors might not come out in sps but it's more than enough for Ur applications. Just type in 165w dimmable led fixture on ebay. Good luck!

[gobytron]

just get a 4 bulb t5 ho fixture or a couple of 150W MH.

They will grow all the coral you have listed.

I ran those lights over a 72 gallon bowfront over the course of a few years and no problems.

My preference is for a combo of T5 AND MH.

LED can be super fancy, but it's still an emerging technology (solaris anyone) and until the hobby reaches a consensus on it, I'm out.

[Metrontech]

I have ordered a 6 bulb T5 kit and its coming tomorrow

I will have to figure out the combination that I want for blue and white...

There is so much out there and I don't know what the best would be

Any suggestions?

[gobytron]

Get a couple of blue actinic (any actinics really) for your sunrise/sunset and then get a fiji purple (do they still make those) and the rest, go with 12-20K bulbs.

Its really going to come down to the look you like the most yourself.

Almost any 6 bulbs made by quality manufacturers will do a good job of maintaining the corals you have listed.

[Metrontech]

At this stage it comes with 6 HO T5 6500K white bulbs

I am going to put my new Blue and White 10k's in there with the other 4 whites for now

See what happens

Then I will move into the 12-20K and purple (not sure where to get those in Canada)

Originally Posted by gobytron

Get a couple of blue actinic (any actinics really) for your sunrise/sunset and then get a fiji purple (do they still make those) and the rest, go with 12-20K bulbs.

Its really going to come down to the look you like the most yourself.

Almost any 6 bulbs made by quality manufacturers will do a good job of maintaining the corals you have listed.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Metrontech

At this stage it comes with 6 HO T5 6500K white bulbs

I am going to put my new Blue and White 10k's in there with the other 4 whites for now

See what happens

Then I will move into the 12-20K and purple (not sure where to get those in Canada)

you can get them at concept aquariums we have a full stock of t5 bulbs

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by Metrontech

At this stage it comes with 6 HO T5 6500K white bulbs

I am going to put my new Blue and White 10k's in there with the other 4 whites for now

See what happens

Then I will move into the 12-20K and purple (not sure where to get those in Canada)

just FYI - 65ooK is really yellow.
You might like it, you might not.

best to try it out and then swap bulbs as you get a better sense for your personal preference.

You can also put a post up here and see if any reefers near you have some older bulbs you can have for free or cheap to at least see how the colors look.
many of us don;t even know what to do with old bulbs once they're past their prime.