LED's
The guys down at the LFS are recomending going with all led lighting. I was considering this rather than a chiller for the halides. Has anyone tried this or know if it will work. They have them set up in the store but just over mushrooms and stuff like that.
Unless the tank is very small, I haven't seen a LED fixture provide sufficient light with good reliability. They are coming along, but as a primary light source, I don't think they are there just yet.
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It's very possible, both off the shelf and DIY. There are of reefs successfully running LEDs as the primary source of light, myself included.
For commercial options, the AI fixtures have the most power, and the highest pricetag. There are other alternatives starting to become available that work very well also, from companies like Eco-Lamp (KR-91 and KR-92), Ecoxotic (Panorama), and Maxspect.
The DIY revolution, fueled greatly by the Orbitec patent dispute that tanked PFO, is also in full swing, and it's easier than ever to build your own setup that is very powerful and very flexible.
Sadly, the achiles heel of all of this is cost. The up front costs are very high, and that turns a lot of people off. The long term savings in energy costs, bulb replacements, chillers (both the equipment and running them), and the fact that it contains no harmful chemicals like fluorescents and metal halides is a big plus.
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Yeah evil !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GLAD YOU JOINED
click there ^^^^^^^^^
[quote name='flying high' date='June 2006, 01:06 AM']We are all victims of our own gene pool. Im sry someone pee'd in urs[/quote]
www.picoaquariums.com
like to glue animals to rocks and put disturbing amounts of electricity and saltwater next to each other!
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Yeah, I broke down and did it. You weren't the only one who said to come over here. Looks like a lot of familiar faces from NR and MR.
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Is heat the primary concern? I would look into t5s. Have yet to see an LED set up that has impressed me.
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Heat, or lack thereof is one of the biggest boons to LEDs. Being able to dynamically adjust your color tamp and brightness on the fly is pretty cool too. Our understanding of LED technology is increasing. It's far better than what we knew 5 years ago when the first Solaris came out and everyone complained about them bleaching corals because the light was "not bright enough". Silly poeple.Originally Posted by Fishgeek88
Seeing as you are 20-30 minutes from me, you could always stop by some time and see what I have. Maybe a 40 Breeder lit by 60W of LEDs keeping sps would turn your head?
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Great to see you made it over Evil! LED's have been on the brain for DAYS.
My first concern is the LEDS ability to penetrate deeper tanks like my own?
I like that with the DIY kits you can change the optics, which is why I am concerned with purchasing the AquaIlluminations LED light.
The Maxspect is a good looking piece, but it can't be sold in the US correct?
Plus if there is any warranty issue, its all the way back to China. Good luck calling on the phone to tell them whats wrong!
"We shouldn't think of an environment where livestock can survive, we should ensure an environment where livestock can thrive."-Rabidgoose
"If it's gonna be that kinda party, Ima stick my ........ in the mashed potatoes!"-Beastie Boys
Crap, I didn't realize you were only running 60w of leds over your 40b. I'm running 156w over my 50b. So much better than running 2 halides or 6 t5 tubes over it.Heat, or lack thereof is one of the biggest boons to LEDs. Being able to dynamically adjust your color tamp and brightness on the fly is pretty cool too. Our understanding of LED technology is increasing. It's far better than what we knew 5 years ago when the first Solaris came out and everyone complained about them bleaching corals because the light was "not bright enough". Silly poeple.
Seeing as you are 20-30 minutes from me, you could always stop by some time and see what I have. Maybe a 40 Breeder lit by 60W of LEDs keeping sps would turn your head?
CR Member
have any pics of the set up?Heat, or lack thereof is one of the biggest boons to LEDs. Being able to dynamically adjust your color tamp and brightness on the fly is pretty cool too. Our understanding of LED technology is increasing. It's far better than what we knew 5 years ago when the first Solaris came out and everyone complained about them bleaching corals because the light was "not bright enough". Silly poeple.
Seeing as you are 20-30 minutes from me, you could always stop by some time and see what I have. Maybe a 40 Breeder lit by 60W of LEDs keeping sps would turn your head?
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