Can you get stunning look sps with cheper led lights ?

[artursm15]

Just want to ask if its possible to achive stunning Sps coral look with some lower end leds ?
Im just amazed how radion leds makes sps corals to Pop but im just wondering how the people made their sps corals look stunning without leds back in good old days ?

[mcgyvr]

Your question got a bit confusing but yes you can grow SPS corals with things like the cheap 165W Chinese black box LEDs..
Having them glow like an acid trip because you have so much blue/near UV is one thing.. Having vibrant/deep SPS colors is another..

In general most people shy away from LEDs if they want really good SPS color/growth..
I think most would agree that Metal Halide or T5 is still king of the hill if heat/cost isn't a big concern..

[artursm15]

Your question got a bit confusing but yes you can grow SPS corals with things like the cheap 165W Chinese black box LEDs..
Having them glow like an acid trip because you have so much blue/near UV is one thing.. Having vibrant/deep SPS colors is another..

In general most people shy away from LEDs if they want really good SPS color/growth..
I think most would agree that Metal Halide or T5 is still king of the hill if heat/cost isn't a big concern..

Soory for my bad English :( . Is it that expensive with t5 ? And what with hybrid led t5?

[mcgyvr]

Is it that expensive with t5 ? And what with hybrid led t5?

In general T5 bulbs need to be replaced every 9 months or so and at $22+ a piece with an 8 bulb fixture you are looking at spending $160+ every 9 months or so.. Compared to LEDs which should last years..
Then there is the cost of electricity..
An 8 x 54w Tf is 400 watts+ and you can probably get by with half that in LEDs..

[ReefkeeperZ]

without LED's and before t5-ho, it was halides and VHOs. power compacts never really cut it but they were mainstream for about 10 minutes. halides are still a great go to as long as you dont mind the power bill and can manage the heat.