thinking LED???

[binford4000]

Well I'm considering the LED option,I like working for the electric company but whoo!!! I don't like the bill of running four 250W MH.I'm leaning to getting the AI SOL units.Anyone out there useing these???At 529.00 a piece x 4 I sure would like some feed back befor I chunk out the cash. Tx

[EMUreef]

Well I'm considering the LED option,I like working for the electric company but whoo!!! I don't like the bill of running four 250W MH.I'm leaning to getting the AI SOL units.Anyone out there useing these???At 529.00 a piece x 4 I sure would like some feed back befor I chunk out the cash. Tx

what are your tank dimensions? ever consider building your own?

[binford4000]

Thanks but no thanks.I work 80 hours a week.I want my free time to be fun time.Building anything after building power plant pipeing systems and metal fabricatons is not my idea of fun!! All thumbs up to the DIY people but I"m not even intrested in that aspect of the hobby anymore.I would be glad to pay someone to build it for me.I like the plug and play way !! Tanks 72 long x 22 wide

[32mm32]

Im also thinking hard about the led route and the ai units where one brand i was looking at. I noticed you mentioned running 4 250s and where looking to replace those with 4 ai units. I was under the assumption that you needed 2 ai units for every 250 replaced (for the same spread)?

[motorcityreefs]

You know all u have to do is ask and I will help DIY it might take some time but I think we could do it just let me know.
:thumbsup:

[binford4000]

You know all u have to do is ask and I will help DIY it might take some time but I think we could do it just let me know.
:thumbsup:

I do appreciate it Brandon,but your scheaduale is as crazy as mine.You did an awsome job for sure but best to keep your family happy,give me a call tomorrow please LOL

[binford4000]

Im also thinking hard about the led route and the ai units where one brand i was looking at. I noticed you mentioned running 4 250s and where looking to replace those with 4 ai units. I was under the assumption that you needed 2 ai units for every 250 replaced (for the same spread)?

I have not heard that?? Hmm,that would be serious cash for sure.I was told they would do a 24x24 square.This is the kind of info I'm looking for sure.

[binford4000]

Tank Recommendations : Support (http://support.aquaillumination.com/entries/459049-tank-recommendations)

http://www.aquaillumination.com/sol/performance.html


From what I'm seeing is they recomend only three for my 150 gal tank.The spread and par levels of a 36x36 square at those depths leads me to believe that one SOL will replace one 250w MHPlease correct me if I'm wrong.I'm only running three MH on the DT,the fourth is on the frag tank.I really like the idea of less energy and heat.They say it uses less then 80 watts,I understand the less watts but I think the 2.8 amps x 4 of power is what's makeing the bill scream :jester:

[32mm32]

This is interesting, i thought i read that from their main website ill dig around. Also i have seen these in person and can say that unless you mount them very high i dont see how they can claim the spread from that link. I would need 2 for my 24" cube, but that is so i have good spread for an sps tank.

[binford4000]

This is interesting, i thought i read that from their main website ill dig around. Also i have seen these in person and can say that unless you mount them very high i dont see how they can claim the spread from that link. I would need 2 for my 24" cube, but that is so i have good spread for an sps tank.

those links are from AI.I found this on you tube today.It's a 24 x 18 x24 cube I think I'm sold!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55kenGwif-w

[tankdude]

Wow those are nice, I just have a couple question. Do they need to be mounted that high off the tank? If you have a hood then your kind of out of luck then right?

[motorcityreefs]

This is the website that I was talking about Chuck.:thumbsup:





orphek aquarium led lighting (http://orphek.com/)

[180wall]

I cover a 7' x 36'" x 24" with 2 250w MH, and its cheaper than the electricity for LED's.

[binford4000]

I cover a 7' x 36'" x 24" with 2 250w MH, and its cheaper than the electricity for LED's.

Now I'm confused.What ballast are you running??? I have coralvues newest high efficant electronic ballast and they require over two amps to run at 250w.The LED's actually run on a AC adapter.Please explain.The purpose of this thread is to help me make an informed descison.

I think they are meant to be atleast 12 inches off the water line so the reflectors can do their job.Atleast that's what I'm getting from the PAR charts.I do like the look the guy with 40 gal cube got from just one of these

Thanks for the link motorcity,but man those make the AI seam cheap lol

[skuttduck]

I've got the panorama LED lights, I've had them since September and I've been happy with them.

The clams are doing great under them, and the water stays nice and cool for everything.

[AZDesertRat]

I have two AI Sol super blues shipping to me this week but the controller is backordered.

I will do a comparison with photos and Kill A Watt meter readings of Sol vs my 2x250w MH and 2x140w VHO actinics as soon as it all arrives. I already switched my 16G bowfront nano from a 96w PC powerquad to two Ecoxotic Panorama Model 8200 LED strips at only 24 watts and am very satisfied with the results. I am on a power saving kick at home and so far I have lowered my bills 25% and its still going down. Having a $20 Kill A Watt meter helps tremendously and it also helps that my power utility just installed a smart online meter on my home so I can track my usage daily or even hourly in alsmost real time!

[binford4000]

I have two AI Sol super blues shipping to me this week but the controller is backordered.

I will do a comparison with photos and Kill A Watt meter readings of Sol vs my 2x250w MH and 2x140w VHO actinics as soon as it all arrives. I already switched my 16G bowfront nano from a 96w PC powerquad to two Ecoxotic Panorama Model 8200 LED strips at only 24 watts and am very satisfied with the results. I am on a power saving kick at home and so far I have lowered my bills 25% and its still going down. Having a $20 Kill A Watt meter helps tremendously and it also helps that my power utility just installed a smart online meter on my home so I can track my usage daily or even hourly in alsmost real time!


This would be great!! I just ordered four SOL super blues also.They must be very popular everyone I talked to today said they take awhile to get them.Guess the AC is comeing on early LOL

[CalmSeasQuest]

Congrats on your AIs!. I've been running them for about 18 months and love them. One word of advice - be very careful during acclimation. Best bet is to measure your current PAR and start with about 40% less - then slowly increase.

This is due to LEDs appearing far less bright to the human eye, while generating significantly more PAR than MH or T5. Many when initially installing LEDs will try and match the "appearance" of their prior lighting system. In the process, they end up blasting their reef with up to 40% more PAR than expected. This coupled with the fact PAR meters under-report the LED output by ~20%+ leads many (most, including me) to initially bleach their tanks when adopting LEDs.

I included AI PAR data in my AquaIllumination Vs. Maxspect thread (AquaIllumination Vs. Maxspect) here on CR (although Photobucket appears to be down at the time this was written.) In addition, My AI PAR thread on RC (TOTM 11/10) contains thousands of posts of AI PAR data and hundreds of photos from AI users. It's a long read, but may save you some headaches.

[binford4000]

Congrats on your AIs!. I've been running them for about 18 months and love them. One word of advice - be very careful during acclimation. Best bet is to measure your current PAR and start with about 40% less - then slowly increase.

This is due to LEDs appearing far less bright to the human eye, while generating significantly more PAR than MH or T5. Many when initially installing LEDs will try and match the "appearance" of their prior lighting system. In the process, they end up blasting their reef with up to 40% more PAR than expected. This coupled with the fact PAR meters under-report the LED output by ~20%+ leads many (most, including me) to initially bleach their tanks when adopting LEDs.

I included AI PAR data in my AquaIllumination Vs. Maxspect thread (AquaIllumination Vs. Maxspect) here on CR (although Photobucket appears to be down at the time this was written.) In addition, My AI PAR thread on RC (TOTM 11/10) contains thousands of posts of AI PAR data and hundreds of photos from AI users. It's a long read, but may save you some headaches.

Thanks for the input.I've heard the same from others also.Hows the lite spread??I've been looking at tanks on youtube and they seam to conflict with each other.Some have them right on top of the dt others have them 12+ above the tank.What height did you hang yours? I noticed the info on AI's site shows from 12 to 36 above the water line.I am planning to hang at twelve inches and then adjust the power with my LUX meter.Your link to rc didn't work.Anyway you could post a pic showing these bad boy's in action=Tx

[Heidi]

I have been thinking about the AI leds too. Here's a couple questions: What is the difference between the "super blue" and the "super white"? Is it a par thing? Or is it just appearance? Is one brighter then the other? Is one better for corals then the other?
Thanks for any and all information about this, Great thread idea btw!
Heidi

[CalmSeasQuest]

Thanks for the input.I've heard the same from others also.Hows the lite spread??I've been looking at tanks on youtube and they seam to conflict with each other.Some have them right on top of the dt others have them 12+ above the tank.What height did you hang yours? I noticed the info on AI's site shows from 12 to 36 above the water line.I am planning to hang at twelve inches and then adjust the power with my LUX meter.Your link to rc didn't work.Anyway you could post a pic showing these bad boy's in action=Tx
Here's the link to the AquaIllumination PAR thread (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1841197). There are hundreds of photos from myself and dozens of others showing every imaginable tank, mounting method and height/spread. Your AIs will be equipped with 40 degree optics on the inside emitters and 70 degree optics along the perimeter. As a result, your spread will be greater (albeit at a loss of PAR at depth) than that displayed in my photos.

Be conservative in your LUX comparisons - LUX is a measurement of light/brightness perceived by the human eye. PAR represents the spectrum between 400~700nm used for photosynthesis. Your LEDs will register lower on your LUX meter, while generating MUCH more PAR then your eye or LUX meter will indicate in comparison to your prior lights.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Duplicate - Please delete

[CalmSeasQuest]

I have been thinking about the AI leds too. Here's a couple questions: What is the difference between the "super blue" and the "super white"? Is it a par thing? Or is it just appearance? Is one brighter then the other? Is one better for corals then the other?
Thanks for any and all information about this, Great thread idea btw!
Heidi

The main difference is the emitters. The SOL Whites are WWB (White/White/Blue) whereas the SOL Blues are W/B/RB (White/Blue/Royal Blue.) IMO, the W/B/RB provides a significant improvement in coloration. Photobucket is currently down, but I'll add a photo of my tank with PAR measurements taken while I was midway through the process of upgrading from the SOL Whites to the Blues that shows both side-by-side.

[AZDesertRat]

Not having access to a PAR meter where would you suggest I start when replacing 2x250w XM 15k MH bulbs with 2 AI Sol Superblues? Thye will be right at 12" above the waters surface. I run my MH about 8 hours a day right now.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Not having access to a PAR meter where would you suggest I start when replacing 2x250w XM 15k MH bulbs with 2 AI Sol Superblues? Thye will be right at 12" above the waters surface. I run my MH about 8 hours a day right now.

What size tank? Any pics? Your height will likely be determined by your tank size and needed coverage - Then adjust PAR using the dimming functions on the controller. Coral placement and aquascaping also factor in.

This should help give you an idea of coverage and PAR...

http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy141/tconwell/AI_SWSB100.jpg

[binford4000]

Great info and nice tank.I do understand the lux meter diffrence.I have compared Par to lux in my tank and feel confident that I can establish similar lite levels.I ordered all super blues.And plan to start at 50% lite levels then slowly creep back up to what I am presently getting with the MH.How much savings have you experienced switching to the AI's?? I am looking forward to reduction of heat and won't miss the 15 amps of power that I will no longer need. I am expecting to turn my chiller into an end table soon.It will be just a safety net and the fans will be history for sure,Wonder how more amps I'll save looseing four fans, lol
I only ask about the saveings because with a 2300 dollar upgrade it's nice to hear about the money saveings.


http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz179/binford4000/thenewesttank.jpg


Tank is a standard 6 ft 150,I will be adding three super blues and one on the frag tank

[motorcityreefs]

Hay chuck I am saving $120 per month with my led setup just got the bill, can't wait to change the frag tank over.

:thumbsup:

[binford4000]

Hay chuck I am saving $120 per month with my led setup just got the bill, can't wait to change the frag tank over.

:thumbsup:


sweet !!!

Wait a minuate,I work for the electric company.Plug those MH back in!! !LOL Good to hear Brandon

:jester:

[CalmSeasQuest]

Great info and nice tank.I do understand the lux meter diffrence.I have compared Par to lux in my tank and feel confident that I can establish similar lite levels.I ordered all super blues.And plan to start at 50% lite levels then slowly creep back up to what I am presently getting with the MH.How much savings have you experienced switching to the AI's?? I am looking forward to reduction of heat and won't miss the 15 amps of power that I will no longer need. I am expecting to turn my chiller into an end table soon.It will be just a safety net and the fans will be history for sure,Wonder how more amps I'll save looseing four fans, lol
I only ask about the saveings because with a 2300 dollar upgrade it's nice to hear about the money saveings.

Tank is a standard 6 ft 150,I will be adding three super blues and one on the frag tank
Beautiful setup Binford :thumbsup:

Truthfully, I haven't done an electrical usage/cost comparison, as that wasn't my primary purpose for going LED - although here are a few observations.


Electricity - It's difficult to be precise due to the daily power rampings but in approximation - I switched out 2 tanks each using 150W of MH and 72W of T5s totaling 466W for LEDs averaging about ~180W in total (~62% reduction in electrical use.)

Heat - Zip, Zero, Nada. There is virtually NONE that makes it way to the tank. My lights are hung ~18" above the tank and radiate no detectable heat whatsoever into the water. In fact, one offset is your heaters will run more. Assuming you don't keep your home very warm, or have very exothermic pumps - you'll be turning off your chiller.

Noise - One of my favorite benefits. The fans (when they run) in the AIs are virtually silent. At my power settings less than ~50%, you would have to put your ear directly next to the AI to hear it. The Maxspect is slightly louder, but still virtually silent. I would hate to have to go back to the fan noise associated with MHs.


Plus all the other benefits (More PAR than you'll likely ever need, custom coloration, actinic pop, dimming, lunar cycles, 10+ year emitter life...)

[binford4000]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I'll post a new pic when I get the leds hung.Got hopefully only one more week tell they arrive. Want to throw a big thanks to Tom,Luke and Barbie at Ypsi fish doctors for the great advice as usual and matching the price of the on line retailors without haveing to ask them to.This is a huge upgrade for an already expensive system and I really appreciate it guy's.I am really happy to spend this money to support such an outstanding business.This is why I drive 35 miles one way to your location. :thumbsup: You guy's are the best

[evilc66]

Great info and nice tank.I do understand the lux meter diffrence.I have compared Par to lux in my tank and feel confident that I can establish similar lite levels.

If you have an aproximate conversion for your halides, throw it out the window when measuring LEDs. They are so blue heavy, that your readings will be way low, when in fact you could be blasting the tank with PAR. Just be careful.

[reeferdale]

I am looking at the LED route also. I just can't afford (don;t want to) pay for them. I am going to build a fixture for half the tank - see how it goes. I have a 72" x 36" area so it is not gonna be cheap. If you find some reasonable lights that I don;t need to take out a second morthage to buy, post theinfo here please.

thanks

[Corvette Reefer]

thats gona be alot of LEDs but will look great and save a ton of money on electricity!

[binford4000]

If you have an aproximate conversion for your halides, throw it out the window when measuring LEDs. They are so blue heavy, that your readings will be way low, when in fact you could be blasting the tank with PAR. Just be careful.

I took par and lux reading's at the same time with individual meter's.You are correct though if the blues are are above 560 it will not correctly read the light'Royal blues are in the 460 or 470 range.I will most likely set the lights with both meters if my friends around, again to bum his par meter.I think the hardest part of the upgrade will be selling those MH tho LOL

[evilc66]

Eh, I dunno. There is still a good market for Lumenbrite reflectors. I think it will be easier to sell them than you think.

[Heidi]

Here's the link to the AquaIllumination PAR thread (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1841197). There are hundreds of photos from myself and dozens of others showing every imaginable tank, mounting method and height/spread. Your AIs will be equipped with 40 degree optics on the inside emitters and 70 degree optics along the perimeter.

So I finally finished reading this thread, told you I would eventually Tom :) I am starting to gather as much stuff around my house for hocking on "the"bay or whatever, I am taking the plunge :) AI Super whites for me. I have a 36x36x27 tank. I plan on ordering 2 units and I will see if that is enough for me. I kinda feel stressed even as I make this decision but not nearly as much as I did before I read it. Really all the stress is coming from the initial "money" output. This will be the single most expensive piece of equipment by nearly double of anything I have bought including tank etc. I think I will start a growth thread for my sps on Captive Reefs with basically all pictures once I get my AIs. We need some encouragement in the LED direction over here and I am willing to provide my tank as an "experiment" :big_grin:
Heidi

[binford4000]

Eh, I dunno. There is still a good market for Lumenbrite reflectors. I think it will be easier to sell them than you think.

Hope your right,I'm going to sell each reflector with ballast for 150.00 That's about half what I paid for them 8 months ago.The bulbs cost me 90 bucks alone.It's giving em away.

[evilc66]

If I had a tank that could utilize them, I'd by them!