Equipment - T5 vs. LED??

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T5 vs. LED??

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=59509
Printed Date: February 04 2026 at 1:40am
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Topic: T5 vs. LED??

Posted By: Lewy
Subject: T5 vs. LED??
Date Posted: October 07 2012 at 7:55pm

My intent isn't really to start a heated discussion about the differences. I'm debating on what I want to upgrade to. I'm looking for a new 24 inch fixture and I'm torn between getting another 4 bulb T5. I currently have a 20inch 4 bulb T5 fixture over a 30inch long 30 gallon tank. I want to light the sides of the tank better because everything on the sides grow towards the inside of the tank. Any way I found this 24 inch LED fixture that has 28 3W LEDs 20 white and 8 blue it boasts 4320 lumen light output. Is that too much light? Not enough? Do I need to suppliment other spectrum colors? Oh and it's not dimmable.

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40 gal w/ 20 sump

Replies:

Posted By: taylorjonl
Date Posted: October 07 2012 at 8:02pm

I personally would go with T5 supplemented by LEDs. I don't think the LEDs have the PAR/PUR that T5s have.

I put some LEDs on my BioCube, 30x Royal Blues and 15x Cool White. Be careful, I was getting 1k PAR at the top of my tank. I got my first SPS, started in the sand, then over a week or two I slowly moved it up. I ended up almost killing it.

If you do go with LEDs make sure you check the PAR.

Posted By: joelduval1
Date Posted: October 07 2012 at 8:14pm

I user to use T5's.... But now that I bought a AI SOL Super Blue, I will never go back to T5's. But that just my opinion. If you were going to do a DIY LED system, than you could get the best of both worlds and do T5's and LED's! :)

Posted By: jwoo
Date Posted: October 07 2012 at 8:33pm

If you go LED please do your research - there are a ton of new fixtures flooding the market right now every month it seems. However a lot of them are cheap chinese LEDS that you probably don't want to put over your tank. There are many tried and true LED fixtures out there that have been proven - when in doubt go with one of those or make your own.

Also I think it's a MUST to have a LED fixture that dims.

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None at the moment
Soon: 72 Gallon Bowfront