LED vs. T5HO

[snakeblitz33]

I've been reading a lot on lighting recently.

The basic argument is that LEDs are for show and T5's are for grow.

Can someone elaborate?

 

[seecrabrun]

Some believe LEDs can't replicate the full range corals need to grow. The technology to the open market is a little newer, not as popular until recently.

It is possible, but whether the lights being sold specifically for this hobby include the full range needed, that's debatable.

LEDs have a narrower waveband, so you need to isolate the wavelength the corals even use and then make proper use of them. No point in making a red and blue mix if they aren't even in the proper range.

My knowledge on the topic is limited to what I learned during my research when deciding on a light for my own tank.

 

[pegasus]

I wrote a short piece on this awhile back, and explained the issue with LED. Top manufacturers have exclusive rights to the newest generation of LED's on the market. All other manufacturers are stuck with over-the-counter, older generation LED's. Many companies that build LED lamps do not use the highest quality materials, thereby cutting manufacturing expenses. Top quality circuitry, top quality drivers, top-of-the line LED emitters, and top quality assembly techniques come at a premium price. That's why some LED fixtures sell for 4-digit figures, and others sell for $100 (+/-). There are LED lamps that will provide all the spectrums your corals need, but their prices keep them out of reach for mainstream hobbyists. Most people buy the "bargain-basement" LED's because they make the tank look pretty, but all they have is basically a light. You're basically lighting your tank with something similar to a bunch of LED flashlights, with maybe a blue or purple thrown in to make coral colors "pop". As for meeting the light requirements for long-term, healthy corals? The jury is still out on that one, but I think I see them heading back to the courtroom. They don't look too happy...

 

[pegasus]

Well... UPS arrived with all my new corals, so I'll be putting the T5 HO's to the test sooner than I thought. Yippee!!! I'm at home with a badly cut thumb (tablesaw accident), so I have to wait a few hours until my wife gets home to try to get them mounted. I was able (somehow) to cut open the bags and start the s-l-o-w drip acclimation, so they should be ready by the time she gets here. It sucks not being able to get my hand it the tank, but that's the doctor's order. I didn't pay close attention when my thumb was getting sewn up, but I started to ask the doctor if he was stitching my thumb... or knitting a sweater. Probably best I follow his suggestion about keeping it dry. So... here are the new kids on the block:

Bottom row (left to right): red and green montipora capricornis (1 - 1 1/2")
Middle row: green and pink pocillopora (3" ea.)
Top right: Yellow Porite (2")

They're pretty dull from dark transport, and I can't wait to get them in the tank and watch them brighten up! Actually... I have to wait... so cancel that last transmission.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Some would argue it's not the spectrum that is the issue but the PAR and PUR values.

I see a lot of tank of the month SPS tanks that run T5s and halides instead of LEDs. That can't just be coincidence,...

 

[snakeblitz33]

Nice corals.

Just wondering about lighting recently.

I see a T5ho 8bulb 54w 48" unit on a horticulture site for about $175. I can replace the bulbs over time with ATIs.

It's not that you "won" the debate, Pegasus. It just comes down to money, growth and proven techniques for me. I still like LEDs and will eventually buy them. But the units I want are 800+ each and I need two.

 

[pegasus]

Nice corals.

Just wondering about lighting recently.

I see a T5ho 8bulb 54w 48" unit on a horticulture site for about $175. I can replace the bulbs over time with ATIs.

It's not that you "won" the debate, Pegasus. It just comes down to money, growth and proven techniques for me. I still like LEDs and will eventually buy them. But the units I want are 800+ each and I need two.

Thanks!

I bought two "no-name" six lamp fixtures on ebay that came with a 5 year warranty on the (Workhorse) ballast. I simultaneously bought ATI bulbs to replace the 10K and Actinics that came with the fixtures. I bought 2 Aquablue Special, 2 Blue Plus, and 2 Coral Plus bulbs for each fixture. I get great lighting from cheap fixtures this way, as the quality of the ballast and bulbs are the most important parts of the fixture. I wish the reflectors were designed for each individual bulb, but I still get the majority of light directed into the tank, so no biggie there. Yes, you still have to change the bulbs on T5 HO, but not as often as MH or PC. 12 -18 months is the normal lifespan of T5, which is 50% - 100% longer than the others. Of course, 50,000 hour life for LED is always going to be the most attractive selling point, but why use a light that long if it isn't benefiting your corals? Then again, not everyone has corals. PS: I have a 48" 6 bulb fixture on my 6' tank, and it gives great coverage. Weaker on the ends for low light corals, but bright in the middle and top for high light corals. Depending on your mounting height, you may find the 8 bulb is too much light unless you plan on raising a lot of high light SPS. Mine is 6 1/2" above the water, so my new corals will be mounted in the towards the middle of the tank and (eventually) at the top of the rocks.

I'm certainly not trying to win any contests... lol!!! Just think about how many ATI bulbs you can buy for the $1600 the LED's will cost, and perhaps you'll see where I'm coming from. I'm all about the Benjamin's too, bro!!!

 

[pegasus]

I had considered buying a trapezia crab to go with my pocilloporas, but they were out of stock. I'm glad I wasn't able to spend that extra $15, because I shined a light in the bowl to see if there were any polyps extending, and spotted this little guy: Trapezia Septata:

 

[seecrabrun]

I got LEDs because they are more energy efficient and cooler running, but I also have a 16" tall FOWLR that I only planned on putting low light corals.

In the 75 in planning, I'm going to end up doing a lot of research on lights. Likely won't go with LEDs unless they are the high end, which means I likely won't go with them.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I had considered buying a trapezia crab to go with my pocilloporas, but they were out of stock. I'm glad I wasn't able to spend that extra $15, because I shined a light in the bowl to see if there were any polyps extending, and spotted this little guy: Trapezia Septata:

View attachment 798

I'm considering this unit and replacing the bulbs. I don't know how wide this unit is yet though.

 

[seecrabrun]

I'm considering this unit and replacing the bulbs. I don't know how wide this unit is yet though.

Non-mobile link

It says it is 2' wide and 4' long. 46.8 x 2.3 x 24.2 inches and 29 pounds according to the description. Though you never know where they get their dimensions from. I'm betting it is 24" wide.

 

[silverado61]

I've said it before in other threads and I'll say it again in a his thread. I have Orbit Marine LEDs on my tank. A lot of people told me they weren't strong enough to support light hungry corals. I have a monti that's not doing much. I have a Mushroom that's doubled in size. My ZOA's have doubled. My Torch Coral has three polyps that have split. And my Duncan has grown from two polyps to six. The light hungery corals are doing better than anything else.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Montipora is an SPS coral.

 

[silverado61]

............Okay????

 

[pegasus]

............Okay????

The monti is the only SPS coral, meaning that it's the only one that requires high light. The LPS corals and zoas are low to medium light. I went from 3 heads of duncans, to 21 heads in a matter of months with them sitting on the bottom of my tank. I had split them into two colonies, but some kind of disease wiped out one colony and most of the other. I got the remaining healed up, and I'm finally back up to 8 heads. My wall hammer is in the bottom corner, and it expands all over creation and has great color. As long as you feed LPS occasionally, they don't require much light. I think that's what snake was getting at.

From the FishChannel: Aquarium conditions: The light level should be of a moderate to high intensity (the plate montipora has also been kept under less intense lighting if the coral is placed nearer to the water’s surface). The color of this species may become dull if light intensity is too low. The growth rate will also be correlated with light intensity (the more intense, typically the faster the plate montipora grows). Metal halides, T-5s, VHO and compact fluorescent bulbs are all suitable light sources for the plate montipora.

No mention of LED. Perhaps this is why your monti isn't doing much?

 

[pegasus]

Well, it took awhile to get them anchored to the rock, but the pocilloporas are in the tank (along with the others). Man, it didn't take long before they opened their polyps and start coloring up. Can't wait to see how they look tomorrow! I hated to rubber band the green one across the branches, but it didn't come on a rock like the pink one did. Should be okay overnight. Will remove the bands tomorrow...

 

[snakeblitz33]

Montipora is a light loving coral. Since your monti isn't growing then the light may not be enough for light loving SPS corals

 

[pegasus]

I had considered buying a trapezia crab to go with my pocilloporas, but they were out of stock. I'm glad I wasn't able to spend that extra $15, because I shined a light in the bowl to see if there were any polyps extending, and spotted this little guy: Trapezia Septata:

View attachment 798

When I was attaching the green pocillopora to the rock, I noticed there was not one... but TWO of these "guard crabs". Now that it's in the tank, I can only see one. My pair of six lines and neon dottyback were being extremely inquisitive with the new coral, and I think it was the crab that had their attention, as they never even looked at the pink coral. I hope it just scooted off into a hole in the rock and appears again later on.

 

[silverado61]

Montipora is a light loving coral. Since your monti isn't growing then the light may not be enough for light loving SPS corals

Gotcha. Going to move my led from my sump up to the tank and put it on a timer and see what happens.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I'm thinking that it's possible that two of those orbits might be enough to grow some SPS in the upper half of the tank.

My wife wants a bunch of soft corals and LPS corals - stuff that moves. So Im considering the orbit at this point and keeping the two bulb T5 unit for extra light. Maybe later on add a second orbit of there is room.