t5 vs led question

[rebar]

i'm upgrading from my pc to either t5 or led, which i just recently found out about. tank is 72 bow, no corals for now, but will slowly introducing some. not sure what route to go. Thinkig of either a t5, looking at either the nova extremen
http://www.marinedepot.com/Current_...xtures-Current_USA-CU01120-FILTFIT54U-vi.html

or acuatic life lunar

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13822+21460&pcatid=21460


or go with LED, such as

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=1437054

any suggrestions would be greatly appreicated

 

[MatthewScars]

Those T5 are not enought for a 72g and those LEDs arent enough, maybe for soft coral only. But honestly, who stays soft corals only?

http://www.saltysupply.com/Aqua-Ill...g-s/7557.htm?gclid=CJCFlLji2awCFcV_5Qod1jirqw

Check into these. Or a 6 bulb T5 fixture.

 

[rbtwo4]

nova isnt enough i had that on my 30g

 

[skene]

for a 72g you are going to need to step it up to a 6 or 8 bulb t5 unit. or you can just go straight to LEDs which while being more expensive... it would even itself out after a t5 + bulbs + electricity bills... just a thought. If you have the money to spend go LED or the latter.

 

[thirty5]

for a 72g you are going to need to step it up to a 6 or 8 bulb t5 unit. Or you can just go straight to leds which while being more expensive... It would even itself out after a t5 + bulbs + electricity bills... Just a thought. If you have the money to spend go led or the latter.

+1

 

[Imbarrie]

Get LEDs no question.
With a bow front tank you have narrow ends and a wide middle.
With a T5 to get coverage in the middle you will have overhang on the ends which is inefficient.
With LEDs you can get units that will fill any sized tank. One large 120W in the middle with smaller 60W units on the ends.
You can have 6 separate lighting controls for a gradual on off lighting effect and you will get more coverage with more efficiency.

 

[NYreefNoob]

personally i like t5's better and i have used a few led units, really only 2 or 3 led units that have the light spectrum being hit on all levels as with t5 you can go any color combo you want.

 

[Jaftica]

.Aquatinics TX5 5 bulb T5 fixture would be perfect for that tank.

 

[IamRobG]

I had 8 T5's Deep Blue Professional 4x39W set up. I had no problems growing SPS, LPS, and softies just with the stock 2 white and 2 actinic that came with it. The SPS i kept high on rock. This was on a 125 long, 6'x18"x20". I've recently switch to 3 18" acan LED's and they are definitely more powerful and the corals are much happier. If you're on a budget and can't waste money like some of us, i wouldn't see a problem putting 4x39 T5's. 6 would be more beneficial but 4 would do the job.

 

[Imbarrie]

Only half the tank would be covered in the middle of the bow.

Bow tanks have been underutilized with T5 bulbs unless you place all your coral on the back of the tank.

 

[basiab]

Until you decide what kind of coral you want I would just get anything that gives some light so you can see the fish.