Replacing my VHO super actinics with LED bar

[Tom Toro]

Hey Evil,
I want to use LED for actinic supplimentation instead of my energy hog VHO's, but want it to be as strong or stronger for around $250. I don't want to do DIY.

My problem is I have no real led guidelines to use for my search (ie MH kelvin/wattage/SE/DE). Any help would be appreciated:

1.What fixture brands are considered quality?

2.How many of what wattage led's do I need to suppliment a 6'highx24"deep sps tank?

3.Should I be looking for 460nm or 470nm or ?

4.Are there studies out there like Sanjay's on MH for par/spectrum/etc. for LED?

5.Anything else I need to know to make a good decision?

[ReeferRob]

Hey Tom I know Im not Evil but I would look into the Reef Brite LED fixtures. They are said to get twice the par of the ATI Blue + bulbs and with much better spread, also controllable.

[jimsflies]

Just for glow, I like those new Ice Cap led tubes.

[ReeferRob]

The IceCap one is very cool but most all T5 and MH light over power them when on and can't be seen or notice that they are on. The IceCap is strictly a lunar light. Power Brites and the Stunners can be seen while powered with other lighting. However the Reef Brite is the only one that can replace other bulb choices and registers par, from what I've heard anyway.

[Tom Toro]

Thanks Rob, I'll look them up.

[evilc66]

Those ones really are the best off the shelf solution right now. All of the other supplimetals are not really going to be bright enough.

To answer some of your questions:

1. Reefbrites, Ecoxotic Panoramas, and maybe the Coralsky suppliments are about the best you can get right now. The Coralsky's seem very exposed, but they use quality parts. The Panoramas are flexible as wach strip is small, but you need a way to mount them.

2. That will all depend on what you want. Higher wattage equals more heat, which is a challenge to deal with on narrow fixtures. Optics can sometimes overcome wattage limitations, but can reduce coverage.

3. Doesn't make much difference.

4. Not as of yet. I'm working on getting spectral plots and PAR readings on some of the popular LEDs, but time is an issue right now.

5. Research, research, research. Some things look good on paper, but turn out to be utter crap. Expensive also doesn't make it automatically better.

[RedfordReefer]

Hey Tom I know Im not Evil but I would look into the Reef Brite LED fixtures. They are said to get twice the par of the ATI Blue + bulbs and with much better spread, also controllable.

I too, was looking at those.

I have two VHO Super Actinics now, and I am looking for something in the 10K-14K spectrum to lighten up the tank.

I have a 48X18 area to cover, and according to them, i need 2.5 of those strips.. Better to just order Three? Or stick with two?