LED ? T5 ? MHD ? Lighting

[neogenix]

Hey Guys,

So I'm in the throws of trying to work out what exactly I'd like to start planning for my *next* tank, but I'm having a bit of issue working out exactly what lighting requirements are met by which lighting. I quite like these :

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?category=Blue_Moon_Aquatics_5000_ Lumen_15000K_(460nm)_LED_Pendant_20_Inch_LED_Light _Fixtures&vendor=Blue_Moon_Aquatics&idproduct=UU1111&idcategory=FILTFILDTN-UU1111

Would those however compete with MHD? And, lets say I wanted to do a 100 Rimless, what type of lighting would I want to get to do a whole spectrum of corals? Would two of the above LED fixtures cover the requirements?

Would one of these be better?

http://www.marinedepot.com/48_Inch_IceCap_Reef_Illuminations_2x250W_HQI_2x54W _T5_%2b_4x15W_LunarLites_(420_460nm_Actinic_LED)_F ixture_48_Inch_T5_Fluorescent_Light_Fixtures-IceCap-IC3935-FILTFIT58U-vi.html

Basically, help me understand lighting!! :)

[txg8gxp]

My opinion on the blue moon led system. Looks very nice, like the mounting design. I'm not sure how good it would be on a PAR level, the fixture is useing outdated 1w emitters. The Ice Cap fixtures look very nice.

[corruption]

I'd agree with Stephen on the Blue Moon fixture... LED's are fantastic, but there is a huge difference in quality/quantity of light from different emitters... The Ice Cap fixture is fantastic, I've got the same one on my 75 gallon at home -- but its a beast. It weighs almost 55 lbs, and adds quite a bit of heat. LED's at the moment are still being best served by the DIY folks out there (I'm sure you've come and checked out my tank at work :)), at least state-side. Theres some quality commercial fixtures around the corner, but they're just not available yet... but if you have a knack for doing some self-built work, LED's are fantastic :)

If you're willing to spend a little bit more, the AquaIlluminations fixtures are quite nice as well:

http://premiumaquatics.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=AI-C2D0001&Category_Code=AquaIllumination

-Justin

[FireWater]

As Steve and Justin said - led's are coming. There is plenty of info out there to diy a project. I have been trying to read up and looking forward to helping with a redo of the led lights on my Finnex. I will possibly add some led fixture to supplement light on my 90g when it gets back up and running.

With that said, I have been extremely happy with t-5 lighting. I ran a nova extreme on my 90g - 6X54 bulbs. There are so many combos to run to get different colors and the output is fine for what ever you decide to grow. I would not run t-5s for anything on the bottom of a tank more than 25" unless they are low light corals. That is where other light systems beat t-5.
As for t-5 there are several great systems out there. I am currently looking into the Tek elite and ATI sunpower as an upgrade to my current fixture.