LED or T-5s?

[kran]

I have seen that LEDs that do both day and night lighting not only save energy but also last longer than the T-5s.
I am wanting to do a live plant only in my 20 gallon freshwater tank so is the LED light the better way to go rather than
doing a long hallogen holding hood? And for my 55 gallon saltwater tank would using LED be better than the t-5s in reguard
to being beneficial to the health of the reef? Please help... there is a $10 difference between the LED and Strip lighting.

Thank for your help.
Kyle

 

[Oughtsix]

For non-planted fresh water tanks lighting and LED lighting is pretty easy to figure out. You just need to provide light so you can see your fish and choose lights that bring out the colors in your fish and give you the look you want.

When you start to discuss planted tanks you need to do a lot of research on the proper LED's to use. The chlorophyll in plants respond to particular wavelengths of light to promote photosynthesis. I believe the wave lengths are particular bands in the blue spectrum and red spectrum. There are LEDs that provide a good bit of useable light in these narrow photosynthesis bands. Do some searching of Cree LED's and photosynthesis. There is a lot of of information you will need to digest to make a good plant stimulating LED hood.

For saltwater... I really haven't a clue. I would expect the wavelengths needed by saltwater critters to be different than freshwater plants.