What is better MH lights or LED

[Bderick67]

Should I just stay with MH are they truly the best lighting for a reef tank


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Just shop around and find out yourself you can do the lighting for about 1/3rd of what some people seem to believe.

 

[SaltyMan]

Thanks for the input I just want to make sure my corals are going to thrive with LED like they do with MH


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[Kevin8888]

MH are always "good" but there are LED that are good as well. The risk is there are alot of LED systems that DON'T produce the light needed, and almost NO LED systems are good for deeper tanks as they loose intencity quickly with depth unless they have very tight focusing optics, which means you need substancially more fixtures to get the coverage needed over most tanks.

 

[Otherone]

Just shop around and find out yourself you can do the lighting for about 1/3rd of what some people seem to believe.

I did shop around infact, for my 210 - like kevin8888 is saying you need really expensive LED quality bullets to get PAR to the lower mid to bottom range of the tank. The ones I found that do get there in a 2' deep tank cost $1,500 each and I would've needed 2x. I can't do MH or I would have - the 210 has a 3/4 inch glass top support rail the MH's might crack it.

 

[SaltyMan]

I to have 3/4 inch glass support rail on my tank and my MH have not cracked it And the MH have been on the tank for years


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[Kevin8888]

I did shop around infact, for my 210 - like kevin8888 is saying you need really expensive LED quality bullets to get PAR to the lower mid to bottom range of the tank. The ones I found that do get there in a 2' deep tank cost $1,500 each and I would've needed 2x. I can't do MH or I would have - the 210 has a 3/4 inch glass top support rail the MH's might crack it.

I don't know your general setup/location, but have you considered a MH pendant? you could just mount a wall bracket to hang it from if you dont want cables all the way up to the ceiling.

 

[Ptrick125]

Pendants run $550 for 50 watts he has a 165 gal tank ................... do the math before you open your mouth.

3,000 Seems like a bit much... Possibly 1,000 or so, but not 3,000.


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[Otherone]

I don't know your general setup/location, but have you considered a MH pendant? you could just mount a wall bracket to hang it from if you dont want cables all the way up to the ceiling.

I actually found a T5HO+MH pendant combo - best of both worlds - high wattage and premium reflection of MH + customizable spectrum coloration of the T5HO bulb. Aquatic life makes it, was told will probably need a chiller for this one as well. Cost was close to $2,000 + $500 for the chiller. Decided to go a different route - borrow a buddies 400w MH on a 75 gal fishless and test the lux loss every 6" deep and wide. Add or reduce as needed. Local reef club has an Apogee with a custom depth wand.
Thanks for the suggestion I will look into it for the 210.

As to not hijack - IMO and from what I've witnessed, MH's deliver the best intensity of light with the best upgradable reflectors on the market for growing hard coral for the cost. LED's hold their intensity for quite a bit longer but struggle with depth intensity, width intensity, and price tag.

 

[Joee3196]

i would go with the MH i have seen to many corals bleached out or burnt with leds to feel confortable recomending any, exept radion led's found they are the exeption.

 

[Jamesy]

Probably would be looking at about 2,000 at the most for LEDS on a 165g.