T5 + LED's

One BIG, HUGE, GIGANTIC problem with the Finnex units is that the LED's are not easy to replace. The heat from the T5's will kill the LED's in output and lifetime usage. Other T5/LED combo units I have seen suffer from the same issue. I would be extremely pissed if in 2 years my LED's stopped working and I couldn't do anything about it.

If you really want to go with a T5 and LED combo then you have to go with either retro kits or add some LED's on to a T5 fixture.

Here is my idea that I will use over my 40 Gallon tank. The tank is 36" in length. I will use an ATI Sunpower in the 4x24W version. It will be mounted roughly 6 to 8 inches off the water. I will have 6" on each side of the fixture to hang my PAR38 LED's. I will use one per side. It will give a great spotlight effect and give me the shimmer. I am not really after the shimmer but it is an added bonus. I will be able to point the LED bulbs right on each island of rock and have them spotlight certain corals for me.

Then if I have any issues with the LED's I can fix them very easily. I will also have one of the best T5 units available. Keeping everything 6 - 8 inches off the water will keep things clean and the light spread will be perfect. I will be hitting roughly 150 PAR on the sand and easily in the 400+ PAR range up where I want my SPS. I will be able to keep clams in between both islands where they will receive full light from the T5's.

Hope that helps!