Opinions on LED's

[abank]

Hi All,

I have a FOWLR tank w/GSP's only and i'm using an old 48" Hamilton Technology T-12 (4) bulb fixture with (2) 10,000k and (2) actinics bulbs. Seems as though its getting harder to find replacement bulbs as they seem to be fazing out the T-12's.

I saw a Double Bright LED lights from Marineland (1 watt white and .06 watt blue lunar LEDs) and i'm thinking about making the switch - i think i can get away pretty inexpensively with a 48" for about $150. Although i'm not sure if you can control the luners and the whites separately on 2 timers.

Does anyone have any experience/thoughts about these lights or have advice about making your own?

Thanks!!!

[Iammatt219]

I had those lights on my mantios shrimp tank.

You cannot grow any coral other then Capinella.

Also the moonlights and white LEDS are on a rocker switch so it is either one or the other.

[Easily Distracted]

Can you switch out the endcaps on your current fixture to T5 endcaps? Any electrical experts know if the ballast would be affected? I know my old IceCap ballast only cared about total bulb length.

[Ninja1]

I also looked at those LEDs but if you decide to add corals- they would not be worth much. Have you looked at DIY LEDs? There are pretty cool kits that you can build or pretty much buy built leds that may fix in your fixture.

[Vinny Kreyling]

T-5 lamps would be the way to go.
Plenty of choices on bulbs & you might find a used fixture.