[element]

Originally Posted by KHouck

I have thought about led. I would easily be able to install and understand how it works, i am very good at soldering and like to mess around with small electronics. I would just cost a lot. I don't want to pay 500 for leds then like 150 for drivers and almost 200 for heatsinks. Do you think that I could get away with the 36" t5s? Would I have to put the sps on top or could they go towards the middle? I would be getting oddysea fixtures, I already have one and it is actually good quality, except for the bulbs, which i would replace.

How much are bulb replacements going to cost over the next 3 years? Of course you can do it with the T-5's. In the long run LED's will take over this hobby. They last forever(a long time), they are cooler and cheaper to run. You also can now achive THE SAME PAR with LED as you can MH. And you get that shimmer effect.

[aquariaman]

Originally Posted by element

They last forever(a long time), they are cooler and cheaper to run. You also can now achive THE SAME PAR with LED as you can MH. And you get that shimmer effect.

I feel like LEDS are kinda the cheating way to have a reef tank. The leads are popping the coral, not the coral is popping its self. IMO

[KHouck]

Is there an up to date price quote on how much it would cost to diy a 125 with leds?

[jonjonwells]

Well... lets do some math.

8 x 34" bulbs @ $21 = $164 This is every nine months IF you stay with your 4 bulb system
12 x 34" bulbs @ $21 = $252 This is if you upgrade to a pair of 6 bulb fixtures
3 x MH @ $60 = $180 These also allow you to have any wattage you want for basically the same price.

basically, what it comes down to is that IF you stay with a pair of 4 bulb systems, the price for MH would be the same. The T-5 systems would allow you to change the coloring to your liking with ease, however, I don't think you would be happy with a 4 bulb system. That just isn't much light for a 125, especially without individual reflectors. If you upgraded to a 6 bulb system, it would be cheaper in the long haul to go with MH, barring electrical use anyways.

[element]

Originally Posted by aquariaman

I feel like LEDS are kinda the cheating way to have a reef tank. The leads are popping the coral, not the coral is popping its self. IMO

It all depends on what light you put in. You could say the same about antics in t-5.

[aquariaman]

Originally Posted by element

It all depends on what light you put in. You could say the same about antics in t-5.

Very true!! I want my corals adjusting to my light, not me adjusting the light to the corals!

[element]

Originally Posted by KHouck

Is there an up to date price quote on how much it would cost to diy a 125 with leds?

Your close at 850. Check out www.reefledlights.com for a diy site.

[m2434]

Originally Posted by aquariaman

The leads are popping the coral, not the coral is popping its self. IMO

how do you figure? T-5s have all sorts of tweaked out spectrums these days... There is of course the argument that leds don't provide enough uv to promote growth of colorful uv protective pigments, however, there is also the argument that colorful uv protective pigments aren't actually colorful, but instead are clear. Everything else being equal, light is light, regardless of the source.

[m2434]

Also, uv protective pigments, do not have anything to do with coral health. Boring brown corals can be some of the most healthy...

[aquariaman]

Originally Posted by m2434

how do you figure? T-5s have all sorts of tweaked out spectrums these days... There is of course the argument that leds don't provide enough uv to promote growth of colorful uv protective pigments, however, there is also the argument that colorful uv protective pigments aren't actually colorful, but instead are clear. Everything else being equal, light is light, regardless of the source.

Just an opinion. Not a fact or anything!