"It takes time for things to show up as living rather than thriving, show me the people that been doing it for years & their tanks then at start & now & have them explain how frequently they replace lamps & what (that what is important) are they keeping under them to compare really"
I was responding to an agrument for LED's not T5 versus MH, try to stay on topic to what I was arguing before you begin your own antithesis. I have had a year+ with my Tek5 setup with 3 crocea clams, nothing is dying or dead. I maybe a lucky man, but needless to say its working well for me. I'm sure results may vary depending on a lot of factors; healthy corals and clams aren't entirely achieved on light alone, water parameters and feeding play a factor as well.
Plack. "James Fatheree
about him and his book on clams you can look up:
http://www.fatherree.com/james/ (about his teaching career)"
Fatheree is teaching at Hillsborough Community College, no offense but having lived in the Tampa/St. Pete area this is no great shakes!! This is were most high school dolts and the like arrive. So if after your long arduous educational career obtaining your Phd (that's if he has one), seats you at Hillborough Community College were most of the student body is high or barely lucid I'll pass on his advice! Secondly, he is teaching earth science, astronomy, and neither places on his website show a degree in marine biology or biochemistry. He only has 18 course hours in biology, and no Phd. I think Im going to pass on his advice unless he has been farming or raising clams for profit as a living. At best he is yet another hobbyist with varying results and no scientific study to prove his observations. We all expereince varying results based on many factors in our aqauriums. Your happy with Led's so be it! I find most people who own a Solaris have sold their units because of being unhappy with the products claims or results. Led's have a long way to go before their aqauirum useful imho. Ofcourse Mh is tried and tested, but there is always the factor of whom is profiting from what their telling you. I happen to find T'5 very sps and clam friendly, yes I do change my bulbs out every 6 months, but that's what I choose over Uv and heat issues with MH. If your offering advice on what's the best lighting system, which you were, I offered my counter advice. You don't agree fine, but I don't see Fatheree as a source I am going to bet the farm on sorry.
If your speaking years down the road, then yes LED's are an option but not right now, truth be told Fiber Optics are available and doable right now and produce much better light then Led's, mh or t'5, but at a cost way beyond most of our ranges for proper mirrors, reflectors and insulating against heat.
Cheers!
David
