Metal Halide vs. LED Thread

robby2782 · Jan 19, 2013

These threads really are a waste. It's like arguing Tunze or Vortech. Both are good in their own way but it's a matter of opinion.
I prefer halides/t5's, but LED's are the future and there's nothing that will stop that. I'll switch once the price goes down, technology on them slows down, and I have the money to do it.

SLUF681 · Jan 19, 2013

robby2782 said:
These threads really are a waste. It's like arguing Tunze or Vortech. Both are good in their own way but it's a matter of opinion.
I prefer halides/t5's, but LED's are the future and there's nothing that will stop that. I'll switch once the price goes down, technology on them slows down, and I have the money to do it.

Amen. The whole point of my argument, start to finish, is exactly that. I think I've pretty well shown in the math that the "LED is cheaper in the long run" argument is not necessarily true. Tank length, depth, height, center brace location, type of corals all play a part as to how many lights you'll need, therefore affecting cost. Features that you want to have also affect the price you'll pay. Yeah, if you buy used LEDs, do DIY LEDs, or by so called "off-brand" LEDs, you can do the initial costs cheaper. DIY LEDs are still considerably more expensive than DIY halides. It's definitely cheaper to run LEDs as far as monthly power consumption. There's just no way around that. YET. Some people also don't understand the difference between having enough light to keep a coral alive, and having enough light to make corals thrive.

When AQUARIUM LEDs have been around long enough to come down in price and the longevity is proven, I will also switch to LEDS. Who knows, before long our communist leader may use an executive order to ban halides.

robby2782 · Jan 19, 2013

SLUF681 said:
Amen. The whole point of my argument, start to finish, is exactly that. I think I've pretty well shown in the math that the "LED is cheaper in the long run" argument is not necessarily true. Tank length, depth, height, center brace location, type of corals all play a part as to how many lights you'll need, therefore affecting cost. Features that you want to have also affect the price you'll pay. Yeah, if you buy used LEDs, do DIY LEDs, or by so called "off-brand" LEDs, you can do the initial costs cheaper. DIY LEDs are still considerably more expensive than DIY halides. It's definitely cheaper to run LEDs as far as monthly power consumption. There's just no way around that. YET. Some people also don't understand the difference between having enough light to keep a coral alive, and having enough light to make corals thrive.

When AQUARIUM LEDs have been around long enough to come down in price and the longevity is proven, I will also switch to LEDS. Who knows, before long our communist leader may use an executive order to ban halides.

Agreed!