The Proven Best Lighting Solution for your Aquarium

[Darren in Tacoma]

This is a good thread for the under 12s.

 

[oreo54]

I just find it interesting seeing someone who does freshwater tanks telling reef enthusiasts who have been at this since the 90s what lighting is better.

To AGAIN stress my point, I've never said ANY one light is BETTER (some types fit an application better if you get my drift) over another.
Don't even say that in the fw world..
IF you can find where I said that.. I'll correct it.

People see things that aren't there.

 

[CanuckReefer]

I like my T5's, so sue me I guess, I also use a 60W LED to supplement a dawn / dusk , maybe sue me there as well... originally started with T8's way back and moved to T5 when they first came out. Utilize whatever you like, what works for you in your particular setup....its not a competition last I checked... or is it?

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Canuck needs a layer asap

 

[CanuckReefer]

Canuck needs a layer asap

A layer or a lap? Its Canada Day here, so I am quite sauced at the moment lol...ah, got it...lawyer lol

 

[NowGlazeIT]

A layer or a lap? Its Canada Day here, so I am quite sauced at the moment lol...ah, got it...lawyer lol

Sorry dude I’m a bit off today I guess. I misspelled lawyer there

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Happy Canada day brotha

 

[A. grandis]

They can do/say what they want. I do my own due diligence. Again, perk of adulthood.

Already stated my opinion ..get what suits YOU.
PLENTY of really good looking tanks w/ any common light source.

You attack it..constantly, so burden if proof that they are in error is on you I think.

Errors of methodology?
Outright fraud?
So what is it?

What about the question per say?

Metal Halides are the bomb

I’ve posted this other places, but I’ll post here too. These are the reasons I prefer halides. If my tank were smaller I 100% would have a halide/T5 hybrid. But my setup with canopy is not conducive to T5s. tank is 6’ x 3’ x 27” deep. Peninsula dividing kitchen/dining and the area. Stand is...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[CanuckReefer]

Sorry dude I’m a bit off today I guess. I misspelled lawyer there

Oh I am 'off' too...no worries lol

 

[Bpb]

Following. This should be good before it gets shut down lol

 

[A. grandis]

Im just used to all the stickheads being the ones to preach the mhs lol The look will always be opinionated. Some like the vibrant colors unders leds and others like the natural day light looks.

The controversy in this thread was just how you were saying how mhs were the best and made it seem like they were the only way to go when either would be equally as good when applied correctly.

I always said application is everything and personal taste is what matters to most and we have to respect that, of course.
I agree with the biologists that the full spectrum from MH and T5s are the best for coral health to achieve what I want to achieve, which is the closest result I see in shallow waters. That is the reason why public aquariums are going back to halides, as Tullio stated so many times.
Too bad they don't want to publish their researches!!!
The only problem I don't swallow is the lies of LED marketing. Substitution for halides using Kessils, saying that "because Dr. Sanjay uses Radions it should be the best", etc...

 

[Spare time]

Light is light. It doesn't matter the source. Also, LED's are tools. Use the right one, get the right growth. Not all are equal. Saying metal halides are better than LED's is a false comparison and a useless comparison (unless you are saying cost, in which you can do easy math; not to mention heat and other practical factors).


Biologists do not say MH and T5 are better. Go on a university library database or google scholar.

Also, assuming full spectrum is better is another mistake. No light makes full spectrum.

There are so many things wrong with this post that Its not worth debating as it seems that some people are very hell bent on one thing being correct when binary yes or no answers are absent from anything in the world of biology and evolution

 

[A. grandis]

I like my T5's, so sue me I guess, I also use a 60W LED to supplement a dawn / dusk , maybe sue me there as well... originally started with T8's way back and moved to T5 when they first came out. Utilize whatever you like, what works for you in your particular setup....its not a competition last I checked... or is it?

Just to clarify... Your preferences aren't the point here!
This thread is about the misinformation out there.
T5s are great!!!!!!!!!

 

[A. grandis]

Light is light. It doesn't matter the source. Also, LED's are tools. Use the right one, get the right growth. Not all are equal. Saying metal halides are better than LED's is a false comparison. It also sounds like there is a strong bias from the op.


Biologists do not say MH and T5 are better. Go on a university library database or google scholar.

Public aquariums led by biologists are changing from LEDs to MH because they say the halides are the best for the corals.

 

[BeltedCoyote]

If you look at the science of it, the only reason why MH are “better” than anything else is intensity. Light is light. Photons are photons. MH may have a broader spectrum than most LED but it’s the wattage that makes a difference. Not the nature of the type of light. There are now LEDs which have a broader spectrum than before. They seem to do amazingly with coral growth.

Honestly, if it wouldn’t run up the electric bill, I’d probably run MH. I’m not saying they’re bad. But the idea that they’re just “better” is opinion.

color? That’s subjective. But I’ve not seen any MH grown corals that look any more colorful than those from a well maintained tank that runs LED, t5, or a mix of the 2.

I’ve also never seen anything that definitely proves MH has better growth. I’m not saying it’s not possible. Just haven’t found anything that’s more than opinion. It could well be they are better. Let’s get some measurements in verifiable metrics.

not trying to sound preachy. I just don’t believe there’s a cut and dry best anything in life. Everything has pros and cons.

 

[A. grandis]

I wish people could stop trying to justify their point of view and get to what we are waiting for...
Oreo... you started all this man.
Provoked me personally in a MH thread!!!!
What is your answer for that pdf???????
Tell people the truth. We want to hear from you!!

 

[BeltedCoyote]

I wish people could stop trying to justify their point of view and get to what we are waiting for...
Oreo... you started all this man.
Provoked me personally in a MH thread!!!!
What is your answer for that pdf???????
Tell people the truth. We want to hear from you!!

my friend you are doing exactly what you say you wish people would stop doing.

I say that with the utmost respect.

 

[Bpb]

To AGAIN stress my point, I've never said ANY one light is BETTER (some types fit an application better if you get my drift) over another.
Don't even say that in the fw world..
IF you can find where I said that.. I'll correct it.

People see things that aren't there.

I don’t chime in as feverishly as most, and to be honest, I have a fairly strong disdain for the “cut of the Jib” as it were, in these discussions. But, you’re right and I noticed that comment immediately. I won’t choose sides on the argument, but I’ll back you up on this one. You have yet to make any unsubstantiated recommendations or claims of anything being better or worse. It’s often assumed you are and you’re often accused of doing so, but I don’t see it. Just pointing out that. Rather, if you HAVE made any hard better or worse claims. I’ve not seen it.

 

[BoxKing]

I’ll choose LEDs over MH/T5s any day, and I don’t care about the science behind your banter. There are far too many reasons to explain as to why I chose the LED route, but Ill name a few; spectrum controllability, cost of operation, aesthetics.

You sort of remind me of the fan boys of refractometers/hydrometers, when conductivity probes are far more superior.

Straight from Echtech:
“Flow is the most important attribute of keeping coral healthy after basic water parameters - more important than lighting, more important than dosing” - Victor

 

[A. grandis]

If you look at the science of it, the only reason why MH are “better” than anything else is intensity. Light is light. Photons are photons. MH may have a broader spectrum than most LED but it’s the wattage that makes a difference. Not the nature of the type of light. There are now LEDs which have a broader spectrum than before. They seem to do amazingly with coral growth.

Honestly, if it wouldn’t run up the electric bill, I’d probably run MH. I’m not saying they’re bad. But the idea that they’re just “better” is opinion.

color? That’s subjective. But I’ve not seen any MH grown corals that look any more colorful than those from a well maintained tank that runs LED, t5, or a mix of the 2.

I’ve also never seen anything that definitely proves MH has better growth. I’m not saying it’s not possible. Just haven’t found anything that’s more than opinion. It could well be they are better. Let’s get some measurements in verifiable metrics.

not trying to sound preachy. I just don’t believe there’s a cut and dry best anything in life. Everything has pros and cons.

Well, we are talking about a pdf that said that actually LEDs are better for growth and color to promote their sales!!! That is the point!

All my experiences with MH, independent on brand and Ks, tells me that it has the real full spectrum from UV to IR and that is the reason why it resembles the sun better than any LED in existence, like the biologists say! Also, the usable intensity of any halide will surpass any LED in the market. If you try to mimic a halide with LEDs you will burn those corals before you notice!
Can anyone do better than this with their LEDs?
3 X 600W of HQI bulbs:

It is a matter of application.
Results are different and we can choose what we want.
One more thing... most professional corals growers will agree that halides will provide much faster growth.

If you guys just watch the videos I have posted here with Tullio Del Aquilla you would understand better!
The majority is ignoring Tullio's precious teaching about reef lighting, period!