LED Lights

[fishforlife]

I have read that LED lights are very good for saltwater aquariums and that they require much less energy and give out much less heat.

What do you think about LED lights for a 125 gallon salt water?

What brand names are good? Any personal experience?

[apedroza]

Will they be your main source of light?? For a tank tha size you will need a ton of LED's and the available fixtures are very expensive. Your probably better off with a nice T-5 or MH setup. I don't know what you plan on keeping, but not sure if its ever been proven taht sps grow and thrive under LEDs. JMO.

[Bill S]

There are a couple of owners here. Try searching on Reef Central. I've put a bunch of $$ into our boat on LED lighting. It works great. I wouldn't invest in LEDs for my reef tank on a bet, though. Not yet ready for primetime.

[justahobby]

Great question taht I don't know the answer too. From what I have read PC has better qualifications than T-5 or VHO yet every serious reef keeper here has those and not PC. LED supposedly burn bright until they die which would seem like a good candidate, but I havent seen an LED that competes. Look at this: walmart need extreme lighting. what do they use? florescent....apparently theres something to it.

[coraline79]

almost all stores have moved toward t5 HO. Flourecent doesn't specify a certain type of lighting. LED units for a 125 would be in the $3-4000 range . I am no pro, but I am running 3 175watt SE metal halides, 6 small 50/50 pc lights and 2 48" t5 ho true actinics on my 125. That would be a minimum if you are keeping sps, and more than enough for a general reef. I am probably gping to remove the PC lights.

[LoneStar]

LED's will work great for a smaller size tank. I'll fill you in as mine progresses :)