Enlighten me about LEDs!

[Europhyllia]

I am thinking of ways to add more light to my tank without having to buy a new fixture (the T5 I have is only 6 months old).
I love low energy consumption and I would prefer not having to buy a chiller.
Because of that LEDs sounds like a really great option but I don't know enough about them to make a good decision.
Since the T5s are so skinny I could easily squeeze another 'something' beside them to illuminate my tank.
I came across these lights here:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/AQUARIUM-LED-LIGHT-TUBE-20-000k-3-foot-198-leds_W0QQitemZ230388637963QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item35a43ba10b
Now those sound very affordable and I'd get an extra 200 watts if I got 2 of them to span the length of my 6 foot tank.
But the big question is:
Will these produce light that's actually usable by corals and inverts?
Or are these type of lights more for 'looks'?

:lightbulb:

[Gseclipse02]

why not add a retro t5 set up to what you have ???

[justahobby]

I would get another T5 bulb

[Europhyllia]

I think if I am going for more T5 bulbs I'd probably try to sell the 4 bulb fixture and just start over with a 6 bulb fixture.
That would be a bummer because I really just bought this one and I am sure I'd take a huge loss on it by reselling it.
I am still considering that option though.

As an alternative I was just considering a mix of LED and the existing T5s. Then it wouldn't be so weird to have two fixtures of the same type on the tank. I could use what I have and benefit from the advantages of the T5s (color choices) as well as get the advantages of the LEDs (Halide-like sparkle and intensity)

Plus in this case 200W output of LEDs would only cost me $50. That would be super affordable - as long as it works and provides usable light.

My main concern is: do these types of LED lights provide usable light?

[Bill S]

I believe you will be very disappointed in that LED fixture.

[Europhyllia]

Bill, I believe you're right.

Everything seems to be doing well under the lighting I haev so perhaps I just need to relax and keep what I got :)

[wesheltonj]

Those will give you the shimmer effect, but not much more. LED will cost you a couple grand to be useful for coral.

[barderer]

The only viable option right now for LED is to build one yourself. The LED's with the right color spectrum and PAR rating for a deep tank are very expensive. There are some great posts on reef central about building a unit if you are really interested. Right now I think the other guys are right, T5 is going to be cheaper and better.