Anyone Thinking of Dumping LEDS and going back to Halides

Goldcoastreefs · 08/15/2012, 06:07 PM

Hello all, I have a 125gal reef tank with 250W Radiums on it, a little frag tank with a 250W Ushio 20k and a 60 gal frag tank with an ecotech Radion on one side and a DIY Rapid LED set up on the other side. I can't help but notice the corals and the tank just looks better under the Halides. I have never tried the ATI power Module, and am half way thinking about replacing the LED's with the power module, but then I think maybe jsut put 2 more radiums on there instead. am I crazy for wanting to replace the LED's or have any of you noticed anything similar?

bvoss · 08/15/2012, 06:24 PM

I have been playing with LEDs for two years. AI SolBlues and a variety of DIY. nothing comes close to MH or the ATIBPM I replaced. The corals look terrible in comparison.

sirreal63 · 08/15/2012, 07:22 PM

I don't think you are crazy and your experience is becoming the norm.

bbsal · 08/15/2012, 07:30 PM

Yep i switched from led to metal halides! I just dont think anything compares to the metal halides i have 2 250watt ushio 14k and my tank looks way better under them then it did with the leds..

The few corals i have are way way healthier looking and have grown and extended the tenticles way farther now with the halides also there color was starting to fade with the leds now there back to normal im sure theres some good leds out there but i think i will stick with the halides!

reefergeorge · 08/15/2012, 07:46 PM

I think about going back to t5s. If it wasn't for the bulb changing I would have already.

aandfsoccr04 · 08/15/2012, 07:50 PM

I don't think you are crazy and your experience is becoming the norm.

sirreal63 · 08/15/2012, 07:52 PM

Lol @ the spam bot.

Felixc395 · 08/15/2012, 08:01 PM

I switched back to T5's, definitely worth it

bbsal · 08/15/2012, 08:03 PM

lol must be spam bot

sirreal63 · 08/15/2012, 08:05 PM

The Mods are on top of it as usual.

Allentown · 08/15/2012, 08:06 PM

Changing the bulbs every year is a PITA for me, but you sleep better at night knowing you have what works over your tank...

For my FOWLR/LS set up that i JUST got, i went with LEDS (low power, no bulbs to change, low heat, built in timer) but after seeing other peoples experience, I see the LEDs being resigned to FO tanks and people sticking with MH/T5s for any serious coral keeping.

Im currently torn between running two tanks or more probably, running my T5 fixture in tandem with my LEDS so i can keep corals in the big tank (although ill only be able to really keep them in the center of the tank (which is fine).

bbsal · 08/15/2012, 08:11 PM

Yea i have a 75 gallon freshwater tank with leds there great for fo or fowlr

bbsal · 08/15/2012, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allentown

Changing the bulbs every year is a PITA for me, but you sleep better at night knowing you have what works over your tank...

For my FOWLR/LS set up that i JUST got, i went with LEDS (low power, no bulbs to change, low heat, built in timer) but after seeing other peoples experience, I see the LEDs being resigned to FO tanks and people sticking with MH/T5s for any serious coral keeping.

Im currently torn between running two tanks or more probably, running my T5 fixture in tandem with my LEDS so i can keep corals in the big tank (although ill only be able to really keep them in the center of the tank (which is fine).

Are you from allentown pa or is that just a nickname of yours lol im from phila thats why i was wondering lol

usfpaul82 · 08/15/2012, 08:49 PM

Never switched to LEDs because a 250w radium bulb on a magnetic ballast is the best. Period.

James77 · 08/15/2012, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usfpaul82

Never switched to LEDs because a 250w radium bulb on a magnetic ballast is the best. Period.

Hard to argue with that one

I switched last year to LEDs, and promptly switched right back to halides. All the coral that were not fairing well under the LEDs-for whatever reason- colored right back up and looked very healthy with a months time of swtiching back.

I had gone back to phoenix bulbs, but am going back to the above one with M80 ballasts and Radiums.

96p993 · 08/15/2012, 09:43 PM

Not halide but switched back to T5's....

oscarb · 08/15/2012, 09:54 PM

i have t5 8- 54w running on 120gal aquarium but thinking of switching to leds so ur saying leds suck on growing corals

Jim.mer · 08/15/2012, 10:04 PM

Why did most people go with LED? Mostly because of power usage and lack of bulb replacement. I don't think anything compares to MH and T-5 Supplement. I was seriously gonna go with LED but not so sure anymore.. If money wasn't a problem then I'd go 2x 400 MH.

Goldcoastreefs · 08/16/2012, 03:36 AM

Ok I'm glad I'm not the only one. Now the frag tank that I am thinking of replacing the LEDs on is a rimless 48x24x12. Should I try a 6 or 8 bulb powermodule or a couple more radium pendants?

parrthed · 08/16/2012, 05:19 AM

I kept my LED strips on my FOWLR but on my display and frag tank I just made the switch back to halides from AI SOLs. I cant quite put my finger on it but there was something missing with the LEDs. I liked the color adjustability but my corals and their colors sure do love some halides.

Allentown · 08/16/2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbsal

Are you from allentown pa or is that just a nickname of yours lol im from phila thats why i was wondering lol

First names Allen, although i did work in Phili one summer during college and am about to fly through there in about an hour.

They sure love their Eagles.....

JAustin · 08/16/2012, 01:27 PM

I went led and then a year later back to mh. I just like toe color and intensity of mh. Now nothing beads leds for supplementation! Royal blues for the win!

swanny · 08/16/2012, 02:29 PM

AI sols with t5 supplementation for me. Best of both worlds.

Goldcoastreefs · 08/16/2012, 04:31 PM

I know LEDs look great for the eye, and I will use some for supplementation but I am looking for help now in deciding between the power module or 250w radiums for a 48x24x12 frag tank

Brando457 · 08/16/2012, 06:52 PM

I went from Power Compact to MH to T5 to Led to T5 and don't think I will ever go back.

Honestly nothing beats MH w/ T5 supplements, but T5s alone for color and growth is amazing. I run a 6 bulb ATI Powermodule and I don't think I will ever get rid of this fixture unless I upgrade to an 8 bulb!

Also just to note I ran an ecotech radion led fixture and an AI sol blue, nothing compares to the colors or growth I got with T5s/MH. Leds when it comes to red makes them orange and all my skittle acans etc. turned them brown/orange. I switched back to T5 and boom reds, greens, etc. popped! Even with my ecotech radion my corals changed.

08/15/2012, 06:07 PM	#1
Goldcoastreefs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 80 Blog Entries: 2	Anyone Thinking of Dumping LEDS and going back to Halides Hello all, I have a 125gal reef tank with 250W Radiums on it, a little frag tank with a 250W Ushio 20k and a 60 gal frag tank with an ecotech Radion on one side and a DIY Rapid LED set up on the other side. I can't help but notice the corals and the tank just looks better under the Halides. I have never tried the ATI power Module, and am half way thinking about replacing the LED's with the power module, but then I think maybe jsut put 2 more radiums on there instead. am I crazy for wanting to replace the LED's or have any of you noticed anything similar?

08/15/2012, 07:22 PM	#3
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I don't think you are crazy and your experience is becoming the norm. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

08/15/2012, 07:46 PM	#5
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	I think about going back to t5s. If it wasn't for the bulb changing I would have already. __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

08/15/2012, 07:50 PM	#6
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	I don't think you are crazy and your experience is becoming the norm. __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

08/15/2012, 07:52 PM	#7
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Lol @ the spam bot. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

08/15/2012, 06:24 PM	#2
bvoss Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 795	I have been playing with LEDs for two years. AI SolBlues and a variety of DIY. nothing comes close to MH or the ATIBPM I replaced. The corals look terrible in comparison.

08/15/2012, 07:30 PM	#4
bbsal Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 34	Yep i switched from led to metal halides! I just dont think anything compares to the metal halides i have 2 250watt ushio 14k and my tank looks way better under them then it did with the leds.. The few corals i have are way way healthier looking and have grown and extended the tenticles way farther now with the halides also there color was starting to fade with the leds now there back to normal im sure theres some good leds out there but i think i will stick with the halides!

08/15/2012, 08:01 PM	#8
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	I switched back to T5's, definitely worth it

08/15/2012, 08:03 PM	#9
bbsal Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 34	lol must be spam bot

08/15/2012, 08:05 PM	#10
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	The Mods are on top of it as usual. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

08/15/2012, 08:06 PM	#11
Allentown Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 975	Changing the bulbs every year is a PITA for me, but you sleep better at night knowing you have what works over your tank... For my FOWLR/LS set up that i JUST got, i went with LEDS (low power, no bulbs to change, low heat, built in timer) but after seeing other peoples experience, I see the LEDs being resigned to FO tanks and people sticking with MH/T5s for any serious coral keeping. Im currently torn between running two tanks or more probably, running my T5 fixture in tandem with my LEDS so i can keep corals in the big tank (although ill only be able to really keep them in the center of the tank (which is fine).

08/15/2012, 08:11 PM	#12
bbsal Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 34	Yea i have a 75 gallon freshwater tank with leds there great for fo or fowlr

08/15/2012, 08:49 PM	#14
usfpaul82 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl Posts: 1,149	Never switched to LEDs because a 250w radium bulb on a magnetic ballast is the best. Period. __________________ 90g SPS, 40 breeder sump, ATB 840 v2 skimmer, 2 x 250w Radiums in Lumenmax 2 reflectors and Blue Wave M80 ballasts, 2 x 4' VHOs, 2 x Finnex 36" LED royal blues (18 x 1w LEDs each), 2 x Vortech Mp40w, ReefKeeper Elite

08/15/2012, 09:43 PM	#16
96p993 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Mckinney, Tx Posts: 1,130	Not halide but switched back to T5's....

08/15/2012, 09:54 PM	#17
oscarb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: el paso, tx Posts: 85	i have t5 8- 54w running on 120gal aquarium but thinking of switching to leds so ur saying leds suck on growing corals

08/15/2012, 10:04 PM	#18
Jim.mer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North Bay,Ont Posts: 235	You're not crazy Why did most people go with LED? Mostly because of power usage and lack of bulb replacement. I don't think anything compares to MH and T-5 Supplement. I was seriously gonna go with LED but not so sure anymore.. If money wasn't a problem then I'd go 2x 400 MH. __________________ JBJ 12 in the works, I said to my self, my self I said, Maybe i'll go LED No my self said No, MH all the way Current Tank Info: 12 jbj settin up soon, no fish, just inverts, hermits,softies,LPS

08/16/2012, 03:36 AM	#19
Goldcoastreefs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 80 Blog Entries: 2	Ok I'm glad I'm not the only one. Now the frag tank that I am thinking of replacing the LEDs on is a rimless 48x24x12. Should I try a 6 or 8 bulb powermodule or a couple more radium pendants?

08/16/2012, 05:19 AM	#20
parrthed Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: USA Posts: 435	I kept my LED strips on my FOWLR but on my display and frag tank I just made the switch back to halides from AI SOLs. I cant quite put my finger on it but there was something missing with the LEDs. I liked the color adjustability but my corals and their colors sure do love some halides.

08/16/2012, 01:27 PM	#22
JAustin Acropora Nut Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,628	I went led and then a year later back to mh. I just like toe color and intensity of mh. Now nothing beads leds for supplementation! Royal blues for the win! __________________ 211g Planet Aquariums Hybrid PVC bottom 48"x34"x30" and steel stand from CustomReefCreations - Reeflo Super Dart - OM 4way - SRO XP3000 External - ATI Dimmable 8x54w - Apex.

08/16/2012, 02:29 PM	#23
swanny Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: denver Posts: 406	AI sols with t5 supplementation for me. Best of both worlds. __________________ 120 gallon soon to be (hopefully) sps dominant. Current Tank Info: 120g rr

08/16/2012, 04:31 PM	#24
Goldcoastreefs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 80 Blog Entries: 2	I know LEDs look great for the eye, and I will use some for supplementation but I am looking for help now in deciding between the power module or 250w radiums for a 48x24x12 frag tank

08/16/2012, 06:52 PM	#25
Brando457 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Caldwell, NJ Posts: 1,281	I went from Power Compact to MH to T5 to Led to T5 and don't think I will ever go back. Honestly nothing beats MH w/ T5 supplements, but T5s alone for color and growth is amazing. I run a 6 bulb ATI Powermodule and I don't think I will ever get rid of this fixture unless I upgrade to an 8 bulb! Also just to note I ran an ecotech radion led fixture and an AI sol blue, nothing compares to the colors or growth I got with T5s/MH. Leds when it comes to red makes them orange and all my skittle acans etc. turned them brown/orange. I switched back to T5 and boom reds, greens, etc. popped! Even with my ecotech radion my corals changed.