Thinking of dumping MH for this...

While I also feel that adding a T5 or 2 is always best for an LED setup, IMO I've seen plenty of proof that shows LEDs can successfully keep corals. Users on nano-reef.com have designed and used LED setups on their reefs for years now with no ill effects. Dr. Sanjay Joshi said himself on multiple occasions that photons are photons. However, this is provided you have sufficient coverage and intensity, which is where a few experiments have failed (a long time ago in a galaxy far away). The biggest hang up for most has been color. it's been proven through various studies that zooxanthellate will adjust to different colors of light, although the DIY community has been trying to achieve the truest possible representation... i'm not sure if there are any rules against linking to different forums, but this thread in particular has literally been the catalyst for every bit of change that has happened in the LED world for the last year... http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=246394

There is a summary in the first post to get you up to speed.

Basically... use these, these, and (if you want) these. You can even wire each color separately to have the same kind of adjustability as an echotech radion. Then if you're still a bit worried about spectrum... add 1 or 2 T5HOs (blue+/purple+) to fill in whatever is missing.

Just FYI, I'm running an outdated cree LED setup (1:1 ratio cool white/royal blue) over a newer mostly SPS tank. I have half of the fixture built (2 rows from front to back) and I'm considering either finishing with a few T5 bulbs or more LEDs. As of yet, I have no problems with any coral under only LEDs... and I also don't hate the color.
 
Mr. Microscope said:
LOLz! That was the thread I PM'd to poidog.
Click to expand...

Up high



also i forgot to add... people have found that experimenting with different types of light diffuser will help control the "shimmer" or "disco ball effect". the most commonly used is the standard diamond diffuser that you can find at most hardware stores. this will soften and blend the colors into each other much better, creating more of a T5-esque appearance.
 
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