A 36" 8 bulb would be 8x39w = 312w. If you plan on doing SPS with LED, real world coverage of a 36x36 reef will require 4x AI or similar which is very expensive. In all honesty, it's cheaper and more effective to light this tank with a singe 400w halide and LED/T5 supplements?. I understand the heat issue though. T5 is my second choice. You could always add some blue LED strips to the t5 fixture for added pop.
after 3 1/2 years of experiments i come to one conclusion ,"jackson6745" is very close. I build LED Fix, mod. improve etc. i try many LEDs fix. (include Orphek ) Now " You Are The Judge" if u intend to grow SPS i would said this..............
You Are The Judge
IF u use T5 u just fine
IF u use T5 + MH (400 w) BEST color BEST grow
U have to replace light bulbs + deal w/heat issue.
IF u use LEDs, u may have to build u self, to got nice and right spectrum, the one in market , if is cheap like Evergrow etc. big chance of burning Corols, NOT easy to control, some SPS will accept some NOT, those cheap LEDs are very aggressive , now got brown (less light) now got bleach. Those expensive LEDs Light Fix. most of the time need more then one or two or 3 to got (then u end up on $ 1200 to $ 1500 to compete MH +T5) the right amount of light, if u r very serious about light i will invite u to see my new setup 220 Gal. 1/2 MH 400W 1/2 DIY LEDs + 4 T5 so far so good (just 2-3 months) but to compete to MH 400 W my LED fix. burn almost the same watts ( 9 Ch. of 14 leds), run cooler , NOT cheap to build , need LOT of search + $ , light cost more then $ 450, about sunrise, sunset just my 2 cents. List yhat my opinion. Vio
