pjr's 100% LED 130g reef

[pjr]

Tank running since Feb 3, 2005. Lighting converted from MH to all LEDs since June 2009. Driven by Sunbrite LED "bulbs" (8x 72"). Now slowly converting the LED tubes to the new Cree-based models.

Tank Brand AGA, 72x18x24. Stand built by professional carpenter thru Fish Doctors of Canton.
No Substrate: Starboard on bottom, now covered with thick coraline.

Flow created with a Tunze 6100 (on controller, alternating from 30% to 100%) and a Hydor mini. Return is an Iwaki 30. Skimmer is a Tunze 9010.

A Reefkeeper 2 keeps it organized, and a Litermeter tops it off. Bulk Reef Supply 2 part solutions keep matters balanced.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/Jan%202010/FTS-Feb-2010.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/Jan%202010/DSC_0006.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/Jan%202010/DSC_0009.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/Jan%202010/DSC_0020.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/Jan%202010/DSC_0021.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/Jan%202010/DSC_0013.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/Jan%202010/DSC_0017.jpg

[tazzy695]

looking sweet pat keep up the good work

looks like you are getting some awesome growth from those leds

[ReeferRob]

Very nice, what is the coral at the top of image number 5? I like that a lot!

[Sir Patrick]

Stil looks great! A little differnt from last time I saw it- but looks great!

[demonclownfish]

Very nice, what is the coral at the top of image number 5? I like that a lot!

purple&yellow scroll(turbinaria)

[pjr]

Very nice, what is the coral at the top of image number 5? I like that a lot!

Thx Rob! It's a turbanaria....

Chris, things are different. Had an SPS loss in July/August due to an alk/calcium issue. But the montis have all recovered and really gone wild, and the acros are getting some nice growth too.

tazzy, yep the LEDs are really working well. In many ways beyond my expectations! It was a real crap shoot at the time, but they have been a delight visually and the drop in energy use and heat is a joy as well.

[ReeferRob]

Have you truly noticed the energy savings in your monthly bills?

[pjr]

For sure. At least $30 per month. I ran 2x250 (M58 ballast) and 1x175 (M57), with 2x96w PC actinics on only about 3 hours per day. And also didn't need to run the AC, which was REQUIRED to keep the tank under 82* in the summer, otherwise it would spike to 86* or more. Last year, with no ac, I hit 81* just once.

[vega15]

Have you truly noticed the energy savings in your monthly bills?

+1 On the energy savings question.....I know it is less to power one of these but I would be interested in hearing the numbers that you are seeing.

Tank looks great!

[kgood1]

Truly awesome Pjr. I will be following in your (LED) foot steps soon. I start my rebuild tomorrow.
I might start a thread for it because I probably could use some input.

[pjr]

Thanks K! The tank looks a lot better today -- just a few minutes ago I finished scrubbing all the coraline off the back wall! What a PITA but at least it is done. I did the sides last weekend, and even though they were each only a 24x12 pane, it was a lot harder. The encrusting was much thicker on the sides.

[kgood1]

Thanks K! The tank looks a lot better today -- just a few minutes ago I finished scrubbing all the coraline off the back wall! What a PITA but at least it is done. I did the sides last weekend, and even though they were each only a 24x12 pane, it was a lot harder. The encrusting was much thicker on the sides.

Good to hear. I'm about to begin my cleaning.(just waiting on the UPS truck)

[pjr]

Today I recieved a pair of new bulbs... both are the Gen 3 Cree-based tubes. The quality of the aluminum, the fins. the overall fit and finish gets better and better, and they look great. I'll install tomorrow... one is 12k, the other is 16k.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/sunbrite/New12kand16k.jpg

[cephalotus]

I want a peice of that green plating monti if you get around to fragging one of them.

Thanks,
Ryan:roll_eyes::big_grin:

[kgood1]

Today I recieved a pair of new bulbs... both are the Gen 3 Cree-based tubes. The quality of the aluminum, the fins. the overall fit and finish gets better and better, and they look great. I'll install tomorrow... one is 12k, the other is 16k.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/sunbrite/New12kand16k.jpg

Sweet. I finished my filtration upgrade so now I'll be stepping up my lighting. PM me so I can schedule my order. (price & shipping)

[pjr]

I played around with the lights today; the new bulbs are surely stronger than the old models! My plan was to replace a 12k and a 22K with the new 12k and new 16k. Did not like the color... too white. So, I swapped out the old bulbs with the same values as the new units, and the balance was much better. Granted, still a bit lighter than before, which again, demonstrates the overall power increase of the new Cree models.

So, in summary, running the following:


3rd gen (Cree) in 470mm, 12k, and 16k
2nd Gen in 440mm, 22k x2, and 16k
1st Gen in 12k.

[kgood1]

I played around with the lights today; the new bulbs are surely stronger than the old models! My plan was to replace a 12k and a 22K with the new 12k and new 16k. Did not like the color... too white. So, I swapped out the old bulbs with the same values as the new units, and the balance was much better. Granted, still a bit lighter than before, which again, demonstrates the overall power increase of the new Cree models.

So, in summary, running the following:


3rd gen (Cree) in 470mm, 12k, and 16k
2nd Gen in 440mm, 22k x2, and 16k
1st Gen in 12k.


Would love to see some pics.

[cephalotus]

Getting real interested in led's, going to let you guys figure it out.:roll_eyes:

[handlevandal]

Coming from a purely visual point of view - The first time I saw this tank was when it had the MH lighting and it was absolutely beautiful. When I first heard that he was doing the LED thing I was thinking about that old saying "if it ain't broke" since the tank was already amazing. I know that he was having heat issues and I though that the LED thing was great for that, but I've been really wondering if the new lighting would look as great and pretty much assumed it wouldn't. I was really really wrong. I saw the tank last week and the colors are even deeper than before and the differences are sharper and brighter, not to mention the kind of growth that's going on there. I'm happily surprised but now I'm really interested in a new lighting system. (argghhh!)

[ReeferRob]

I was lucky enough to view Pat's amazing tank on Tuesday and was very impressed. The LED's are the real deal. Beautiful colors and let me tell you the chalice's are unbelievable. Huge and gorgeous. Pat was very gracious to invite a stranger in to his wonderful home, and kind enough to send me home with a few frags of his prized chalice's. Thanks again Pat, you have an amazing tank!!

[pjr]

Thx Rob & Jacki for the kind words! Much appreciated.

I've pulled out one of the new Cree bulbs (the 12k). It was too much light, and started to bleach a few (but not all) of my acros. A few of them seem to have taken off even more. By dropping the 12k Cree, the color balance is back to where I like it.

So, we're down to 7 tubes:

3rd gen (Cree) in 470mm and 16k
2nd Gen in 440mm, 22k x2, and 16k
1st Gen in 12k.

[pjr]

Well thanks to Daniel (also known as "jerseym3" ) my hillbilly tech bulb holders are gone. I met Daniel last year (as did some of you) when he shared a booth with me at the Cranbrook MASM frag swap. Anyhow, he customer engineered some acrylic bulb holders using CNC equipment and they look and work great. Thanks Daniel! First class job!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/sunbrite/Acrylic-racks.jpg

[kgood1]

Looks good Pat.

[igot2gats]

Those bulb holders are pretty cool looking...nice tank. I've never seen so many Monti Caps in a tank before - very original idea.

[pjr]

Well, if anyone is wondering whether or not you can grow acros under LEDs, the answer is yes. All my recently acquired frags are showing new growth. Additions from earlier in the year are quickly evolving into colonies. I'll try to add some pics this week.

[ReeferRob]

Good to hear, would love to see some progression shots.

I was gonna ask Pat and not sure if I have yet or not, but how do you calculate how much supplement to add to your ATO system?

[Bella127]

I like how neat and clean this set-up is. Gives me something to shoot for on my next tank. Great work:disk_jockey: