Got my first LED light today, here is my first hand experience...for several hours
The LED is made by CADlight, 120w. It is side by side on a 40 gallon breeder next to another 40 breeder with a 20K 250w metal halide powered by HQI ballast.
1. Shimmer:
It is a different kind of shimmer, more fine line but it is there. Not as much as the halide.
2. Color:
The LED is 50/50 white and blue LED. It is more purple than 20K halide. But coral color is more pop.
3. Brightness:
Slightly less than halide consider it is half of the wattage. But definitely brighter than a 150w DE halide.
4. Spread
This is surprising, the LED has better coverage than the halide on 40 breeder tank.