Led's or stick with Halides

Discussion in 'LED Aquarium Lighting' started by Stingray, Oct 2, 2013.

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Help me pick

  1. Leds

    27 vote(s)
    67.5%

  2. Halides

    12 vote(s)
    30.0%

  3. t5

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  4. not worth the hassle, keep your money

    1 vote(s)
    2.5%
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  1. Daniel072

    Daniel072 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    May 30, 2008
    Messages:
    3,677
    Just to put it in perspective for ya, I have a standard 120 (4x2x2) with a single 3 ft fixture....My tank gets great coverage. So, you would actually need 2 of the same fixture I have to get the coverage you would be looking for. My fixture was 350 bucks. Also, you don't need 500 watt panels for sps growth at all. I run 200 watts of LED over my 120 at about 80%. No issues with me.
     
    Daniel072, Oct 6, 2013
    Daniel072, Oct 6, 2013
    #41

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  2. Michael Johnson

    Michael Johnson Plankton

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2013
    Messages:
    2
    Location:
    Ontario
    I'm an LED guy also so LED for me.
     
    Michael Johnson, Oct 6, 2013
    Michael Johnson, Oct 6, 2013
    #42
  3. rc_mcwaters3

    rc_mcwaters3 Clown Trigger

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2010
    Messages:
    2,036
    Location:
    Valdosta, Ga
    I went from t5 to led, love the leds more. Simple set up easy care and they run the electricity bill cheaper.

    LEDS are better

    this is why:

    electricty is 11 cents per KW here so for a 150 watt bulb and 2 54w t8's=258 watts which is .258 KW

    x10 hours a day(assuming this is your light schedual)=2.58 kw

    x31 days= 79.98 kw

    x12 months= 959.76 kw

    x $.11= 105.57 a year

    x10 years which is what a quality fixture lasts is $1055.73

    now at 20 bucks a bulb-gas or shipping if you replace them only once a year thats $60 bucks
    x10 years is $600.00

    so total thats $1655.73 in ten years or 1220.38 euros

    now assuming you are talking about the 40 breeder fixture like off reefbreeders or e-bay that 120w so you are saving 442.00 euros on bulb replacement alone


    so at $169.00/ 125 euros (roughly my conversion math aint that good lol) for the fixture you are looking at in Bulb replacement over ten years, minus electricity you are buying that fixture twice just by saving on bulb replacement.

    go with the leds and you wont regret it, just take your time and buy true quality

    I have a 48 photon fixture now and love it

    my math isn't perfect so if you find a mistake be nice lol
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2013
    rc_mcwaters3, Oct 6, 2013
    rc_mcwaters3, Oct 6, 2013
    #43
  4. sceia

    sceia Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2011
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Lafayette, La
    go with led's...they've come far enough in tech to simulate the spectrum needed. And no heat ;)
     
    sceia, Oct 14, 2013
    sceia, Oct 14, 2013
    #44
  5. Stingray

    Stingray Blue Ringed Angel

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2008
    Messages:
    1,555
    Location:
    West Midlands,UK
    Given the outcome of the poll votes it would seem leds are the way to go, so i am going to buy the fixture, he has some great feedback and after messaging a few of his customers they seem very pleased with the results even in sps tanks,

    Will post some pics when i get it up and running

    Thanks all who replied, much appreciated...

    Stingray.
     
    Stingray, Oct 20, 2013
    Stingray, Oct 20, 2013
    #45
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