Ok, let's hear it!

Coralgurl · #1 10-03-2013, 06:24 PM

Interesting thread, has me thinking. I ran a 2 bulb T5 unit and supplemented with LEDs. I had amazing coral growth with this combo, great colors (no sps), to the point that my corals were too big for the tank. I moved to Radions on my 180 and have lost every single one of my first three corals. Not to bleaching or anything, not exactly sure why they died. some corals have done amazingly well, others, not so much. I do know I am not seeing the same success on the 180 to what I saw in the 55. Is it lights, is it maintenance, not sure, but definitely something to think about.

lastlight · #2 10-03-2013, 07:10 PM

kien · #3 10-04-2013, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

Huh. Apparently someone forgot to tell this guy

Aquattro · #4 10-04-2013, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kien

Huh. Apparently someone forgot to tell this guy

But did you see the frag tank??

gregzz4 · #5 10-04-2013, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kien

Huh. Apparently someone forgot to tell this guy

Haha
But, he is supplementing ...
Does that count as 'dosing', as in a 'disqualified' way ?

Snappy · #6 10-04-2013, 06:27 AM

I never did get swept in with the LED craze and plan to stay with my good old MH & T5 mix.

lastlight · #7 10-04-2013, 02:04 PM

Rich does supplement Kien... so maybe LEDs do suck? I like my sucky LED fixture but won't deny I miss some of the things so many love about halides. I only miss halides when I see yours so maybe that's my problem. Your tank just oozes awesome teehee!

I thought I recalled seeing a lot of halide bulbs being marked down and sold on various sites. There's no doubt that the selection available on the most popular sites is way down from where it used to be.

Proteus · #8 10-04-2013, 02:11 PM

I set up my halide yesterday and forgot how crisp and clean the light is. Though I did notice that certain pieces like forest fire digi does not "pop" as with the led. So now I'm looking into some RB led to compliment the halide.
Just need. To find a way to incorporate them into fixture as the stealth dimensions are 14"x14" and would be concerned that the led be spread to far to the outside

mike31154 · #9 10-04-2013, 02:25 PM

It's not only the bulbs/tubes. MH & T5HO ballasts are going to be more difficult to find if you have a failure. If you're fortunate enough to have an old magnetic MH ballast, you may be better off since the individual components such as capacitor & coil are replaceable. These parts are not going away since they're used in other applications.

Vernon's a small city with only one pet store remaining that does salt. AJ's has been slow to move with the times in some respects, but I was in there the other day & the store is full of LED fixtures, with virtually all the T5 stuff marked down significantly. I appreciate where all the folks who love their MH & T5 tanks are coming from, but I really don't think you'll be able to continue with that technology much longer than 5 years.... so enjoy while you can!

So does anyone remember plasma? And what about that skylight in the ceiling for direct sunlight? Isn't that what our livestock really needs?

EDIT: As an example, most of you have undoubtedly heard of a small company called Icecap that manufactured high quality ballasts specific to our hobby. They've been out of business for a while now because they missed the LED boat. Granted, the big players like GE & Philips aren't going away that easy, but they're also on the LED boat full bore & it's unlikely they'll continue making bulbs/ballasts for a small niche such as the salt water aquarium hobby.