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View Poll Results: Recommended Noob Lighting Solution | |||
Halide/T5's |
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4 | 11.43% |
T5's Only |
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8 | 22.86% |
LED's |
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20 | 57.14% |
DIY LED's |
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3 | 8.57% |
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll |
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Thread Tools | Display Modes |
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#1
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![]() I respectfully disagree Mindy.....while cheaper to begin with T5s and MH will burn you(pun intended) in the long run with bulb changes and other associated costs.....the better LED units units will allow much more flexabillty in all aspects....intensity, color and programing.....why start with a unit that you wont be able to give away in a couple years?
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260g mixed reef, 105g sump, water blaster 7000 return, Bubble King SM 300 skimmer, Aqua Controller Jr, 4 radions, 3 Tunze 6055s,1 tunze 6065, 2 Vortech MP40s, Vortech MP20, Tunze ATO, GHL SA2 doser, 2 TLF reactors (1 carbon, 1 rowa). http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=50034 . Tank Video here http://www.vimeo.com/2304609 and here http://www.vimeo.com/16591694 |
#2
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![]() People can't give away those units now meaning a noob can acquire cheaply.
Investing in a decent LED setup is a bit risky considering plenty of noobs jump ship shortly after starting. Less financial risk I think. Unit cheap. Pony up for prob 4 bulbs. Go from there. |
#3
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![]() decent LED unit holds its value(more so then T5 and MH in todays market) and is actually sell-able if he does decide to bail
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260g mixed reef, 105g sump, water blaster 7000 return, Bubble King SM 300 skimmer, Aqua Controller Jr, 4 radions, 3 Tunze 6055s,1 tunze 6065, 2 Vortech MP40s, Vortech MP20, Tunze ATO, GHL SA2 doser, 2 TLF reactors (1 carbon, 1 rowa). http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=50034 . Tank Video here http://www.vimeo.com/2304609 and here http://www.vimeo.com/16591694 |
#4
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![]() besides....just because he is new to the hobby doesnt mean he should cheap out on equipment....we all know that you get what you pay for in this hobby and most people would have liked to know this before throwing $ away on something they were not going to be happy with
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260g mixed reef, 105g sump, water blaster 7000 return, Bubble King SM 300 skimmer, Aqua Controller Jr, 4 radions, 3 Tunze 6055s,1 tunze 6065, 2 Vortech MP40s, Vortech MP20, Tunze ATO, GHL SA2 doser, 2 TLF reactors (1 carbon, 1 rowa). http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=50034 . Tank Video here http://www.vimeo.com/2304609 and here http://www.vimeo.com/16591694 |
#6
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![]() You can disagree, I don't mind. It would be a pretty boring world if we all agreed.
![]() I don't think buying T5s is cheaping out on equipment. If someone really has the money burning a hole in the pocket spend it on a Bubble King skimmer instead of LED lighting - that will pay off better for a newbie in the end than some fancy schmancy lighting setup. I seem to remember SOMEONE's (looking at you fishytime) beautiful SPS tank that was lit by T5s. ![]() Considering the average reef hobbyist has been in the hobby for 18 months it is safe to say that the average reef hobbyist jumps ship before ever doing too much. I don't see why a newbie should spend thousands of dollars on lighting with a high risk of not being in the hobby 2 years down the road. I have T5s on my LPS/Zoa tank, and I have zero interest in "upgrading" to LEDs on that tank. There is no reason as there would be very limited electrical savings, and a few bulbs a year...whoopdedo. I've been on the fence for the last 6 months thinking about buying a couple Mitras for my SPS tank, but I haven't seen an LED lit SPS tank yet that has the same the results (mainly growth, also color) as halides. The cost of replacing bulbs is about the same as the cost of salt over a year...really not that significant. The reefer will likely spend much more money on livestock. So all this LED money savings yipyap really doesn't interest me. I'm interested in real life results. I couldn't care less about the extra $200 a year I spend on my halides when I just spent more than that today on one single coral. ![]() I don't think LEDs are the be all end all, neither are halides nor T5s. Different lights for different situations. ![]() |
#7
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![]() if you want to check out various leds i have everything from vertex ilumina to diy s.-7 different types,all at various costs.i can even use my par meter to show you the various pars on each system
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#8
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![]() I have found that this is a very hot topic in reefing circles since the introduction of LED's a few years ago. I have always run fluorescents over my freshwater tanks and never had the need to change. Always got good results with colours and plant growth...
but the saltwater game is different. My lighting budget for this build is about $1000. That does not mean I want to spend that much, but will, to ensure a healthy tank. Probably the single most expensive piece of hardware... next to the MP40 I got for Xmas. I've somewhat decided on a fixture for each option: 1) Aqua Medic OceanLight T5 HO 8x39W - Retails for about $520 without bulbs. 2) Hamilton Tech 3' Cebu Sun- 1 Metal Halide & 4-39W HO Actinic T5 System (175W 14K, Electronic Ballast) - Retails for $580... with bulbs... so this is cheaper than the T5 fixture. 3) Haven't quite decided on a LED fixture but I do really like a bit about all of them. However, 2 of the higher end fixtures is a little bit over my budget, like 2 Radion Pro's. 36" tank remember. 4) Reef LED Lights DIY 24" with a selection of the LED's I want. Probably could build this for under $800. Although electronics have never been my strong point. Thanks to everyone for your input, please keep the comments coming. I still have a few months before I need to buy a light. |