220 LED Questions

[Jmar101786]

So.... For starters I know that there are a ton of threads that relate to what i'm asking here and I have read quite a few...at this point my brain is fried and I am still at a loss on what to do...

In the next few weeks I will be getting a 220 Gal tank from a friend who is getting out of the hobby...i can't even begin to explain the excitement of getting back into a larger tank...for the past 3 years i have had smaller tanks and they just don't do it for me...so the timing worked out and i'll be joining the large tank community once again

About the tank:

- L X W X H - 72" X 30" X 24"

- 3 Sides starphire Glass

- Coast to Coast overflow


Equipment wise i'm pretty much good to go at the moment however i will be updating and adding things between now and the new year.

The question at hand is lighting....I have always ran metal halides...currently I have (2) 400 Watt 20K Radium but the electric bill is beating me up and one of the agreements to setting up this tank was that I try to make it a little less demanding on the electric bill....so LED is my plan.

I have been looking into a few different types but i really can't decide on which ones to go with...the following ones are what i've been looking at


Acan Lighting
Ecotech Radion
AI Sol & Vega

The question here is what are the pros and cons and how many units would i need of each...from the people ive been talking to everyone seems to have a different number

My calculations from what ive learned is i would need the following to cover the tank

Ecotech - 6
AI Sol - 4
Vega ?
Acan Lighting ?

I'm not even sure if these are correct but from what i've understood while reading its what i've come up with...

- Side Notes -

* I keep a mixed reef but I do tend to lean towards the SPS world...i know i would like the luxury of being able to place pieces almost anywhere i want without having to worry about if there is enough light in that area.

** I currently don't have any clams but i would be interested in introducing some in the future not sure if this affects anyones suggestions/Info.


*** I would like to have as much control over lights as possible but I mainly roll towards the 20K spectrum.

**** Bells and whistles like rolling clouds and thunderstorms are cool...but not a must for me.


Well thats all i can think of at the moment with writing this thread...i appreciate any and all information given...i'll be honest i've wanted to switch for a while but the technology kind of scares me as when i hear LED...the first thing i think of is my T.V. not my reef lol

Thanks,
Joe

 

[bluewater921]

hey there joe .. welcome back to the bigger upgrade .. i have a 180 and im using 3 evolutions LED fixtures on mine .. had them on about 6 months now .. everything seems to be doing alot better .. i was doing the same running 3 250 watt HQI MHs elc company loved me each month .. now they hate me .. my bill has gone down .. i have read so much on LEDs before i bought into the whole deal .. went and saw a few tanks with LEDs on then and the evos to me seemed to be the best deal ..

your so right about LEDs but they have come so far in a short time with them .. my evo = up to a 400 watt MH .. my par reading to the bottom and all 4 corners are the best they have ever been .. i have them lifted 10" off the surface water for complete coverage ..

 

[BigAl2007]

Congrats on the new set-up Joe! That's going to be AWESOME!!

Don't be afraid of LED! There was a time when people said "VHO is the only way to go" but now we have LOTS more options and yes LED are "cutting edge" in regards to our use but they are a VERY good thing IMO! I've have LED on both of my tanks now (first one has been LED for over 3 years now) and wouldn't have it any other way. Both of mine are DIY but if I were doing it again I'd do it "Factory" unit without a doubt.

 

[Jmar101786]

hey there joe .. welcome back to the bigger upgrade .. i have a 180 and im using 3 evolutions LED fixtures on mine .. had them on about 6 months now .. everything seems to be doing alot better .. i was doing the same running 3 250 watt HQI MHs elc company loved me each month .. now they hate me .. my bill has gone down .. i have read so much on LEDs before i bought into the whole deal .. went and saw a few tanks with LEDs on then and the evos to me seemed to be the best deal ..

your so right about LEDs but they have come so far in a short time with them .. my evo = up to a 400 watt MH .. my par reading to the bottom and all 4 corners are the best they have ever been .. i have them lifted 10" off the surface water for complete coverage ..

Thanks...i am really excited about coming back to the bigger tank...yes bigger tanks have bigger price tags when it comes to equipment and anything we tend to do with them but i definitely prefer larger tanks as it gives a better illusion of having a piece of the ocean in your house

- I'm going to check out the evo units when i get home from work...thanks for the suggestion

 

[Jmar101786]

Congrats on the new set-up Joe! That's going to be AWESOME!!

Don't be afraid of LED! There was a time when people said "VHO is the only way to go" but now we have LOTS more options and yes LED are "cutting edge" in regards to our use but they are a VERY good thing IMO! I've have LED on both of my tanks now (first one has been LED for over 3 years now) and wouldn't have it any other way. Both of mine are DIY but if I were doing it again I'd do it "Factory" unit without a doubt.

Thanks ... i am really looking forward to taking this tank to the next level when it comes to the hobby

You're absolutely right...i guess im just concerned because i don't know enough to feel confident in my decision when it comes to lighting the tank.

Hopefully with this thread my concerns will be eased.

Thanks for your response