Need Ideas for LED supplemental lighting

[Myka]

If you're ok with using the Current T5 as a shell, why not just use it as is? Imo, T5s will produce a nicer color than LEDs anyway. I'm skeptical too, I'm not sold on the LEDs yet.

[Slick Fork]

Depends on the colour he's after. I saw a reefbrite complete blue strip in action a few weeks ago and I've never seen a t5 provide that actinic pop. I'm definitely sold on the LED technology, it's the price I'm having a hard time with.

I'd check out the reefbrite strips, I'm considering retrofitting two of them into a 4 bulb tek light. They are probably the most "affordable" of the decent quality stuff out there right now, but I use that term loosely as they're still pretty spendy.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Slick Fork

Depends on the colour he's after. I saw a reefbrite complete blue strip in action a few weeks ago and I've never seen a t5 provide that actinic pop. I'm definitely sold on the LED technology, it's the price I'm having a hard time with.

I agree the color is getting much better, but I'm still not sold on them being primary lighting. Supplemental is all about color, so I guess the LEDs would be ok for that. The prices are still ridiculous considering LEDs are cheap to make. Maybe they have to make up for all the research they have put into producing a reef spectrum...? I just figured instead of gutting a useful T5 fixture, why not use it?

[Slick Fork]

Originally Posted by Myka

I agree the color is getting much better, but I'm still not sold on them being primary lighting. Supplemental is all about color, so I guess the LEDs would be ok for that. The prices are still ridiculous considering LEDs are cheap to make. Maybe they have to make up for all the research they have put into producing a reef spectrum...? I just figured instead of gutting a useful T5 fixture, why not use it?

I never thought the Current fixtures were all that great, I can't recall if they even have individual reflectors or not, if they don't then certainly their usefulness becomes questionable. At 18" appropriate bulbs might be hard to source. If the OP is running a MH over a 34 gallon then heat may be an issue as well. If he/she can get the colour he's after with LED's then they would certainly be one less thing throwing heat into the tank. I'm not big on the power-savings aspect, for the upfront cost of an LED fixture you can buy a whole lotta electricity. Anyways, we're getting off topic...

What are the dimensions of the tank? That might help people come up with some ideas for you!