Lights VHO vs MH vs LED . . . please weigh

[fish26]

I'm looking for thoughts, opinions and convictions regarding lighting sytems. There is so much information on the Internet and LFS that I'm more confused than ever and I understand there are several variables and pricing is obviously plays into that.

I'm upgrading one of my current systems to a 90 from a 72. I've decided to upgrade the lighting now in efforts to spend ALL of my money at once. I'm hoping to stay within the $400-$700 price range that will give me the best lighting for whatever I decide to put in the tank down the road. Please post your thoughts on this thread and if possible your logic and/or things I should consider in this decision. OBTW I'm leaning toward VHO or LED primarily because of heat and energy costs.

 

[mhaith]

why not T5?

 

[ChrisB]

VHO is fine if your doing fish only and will cost much less but if you want corals LED out of the two. you can get LEDs for your price range.

 

[KhensuRa]

Yeah, what are you goals? Are you running a fish only with plans to run corals? Or do you have corals already? And what lights are you currently running. Answers to these questions might help us help you a little more.

 

[fish26]

Sorry. Current running MH. I have and plan on continuing with what I currently have in the 72 which is fish and soft corals. Would like to have sufficient lighting and knowledge to advance into more difficult corals. Sorry I didn't include the T5 in my options (forgot). I have looked at the T5 HO Tek (6 bulb) lights as an option also.

 

[lpsouth1978@msn.com]

I personally have not used T5, But have used MH and LED. I would say go with LED or even a combo of LED and T5. I used to be all MH and loved them. I have come to like the color custimization of the LED's though, but the spectral mix is not really there. Going with T5 and LED will give you the spectral mix as well as the high PAR and the shimmer of LED. LED will also allow you to make a custom fixture, though if you have a hood you can retro any of them.

 

[tlo25]

I have always been a huge MH/T5 fan but I am going to try LEDs with my upcoming setup. I went back and forth for a long time on the two and spectrum is what I was worried about on the LEDs but then I saw this dude on RC (Acrotrdco) using different color LEDs on the Maxpect unit to get a pretty good spectrum. I think this is the last piece of the puzzle for LEDs and it is only going to get better as different bulbs become available. So IMO, I think getting a modular LED system is where it's at.

 

[SAZAMA]

I have Mh and t5 and it's cool, but there are many great options leds, mh+led, MH+VHO ect....

 

[dv3]

t5+led

 

[chrislorentz]

t5+led

+1

 

[hurrafreak]

t5+led

+1