I can only go by my bc29 tank. It has been doing great with color and growth using the led set up. My rose anemone has split 6 times in this tank. I really believe we have just touched the surface on led's and it will only get better. There are more choices today to get much closer to the desired color spectrum.
Anyone Thinking of Dumping LEDS and going back to Halides
- Thread starter Goldcoastreefs
- Start date
Your anemone repeatedly splitting is probably less a function of the lights and more a function of water quality. Anemone's tend to split more when they are stressed, this is a survival mechanism for them, they replicate themselves in an attempt to survive and hopefully move to an area where the conditions are less stressful. People who raise them for sale will frequently stress them in order to get them to split.
I agree with this. Back when I had 2 x 250w MHs over my 90g and inside a canopy (with open back) no less, I was able to go without a chiller. I just put four PC fans on the sides of my canopy and that helped a great deal.
I live in Dallas, so the summers get pretty warm, but I would just delay turning the MHs on until late afternoon and when my AC turns on for the evening time. It's quite manageable if you just plan things out.
toofrigginswt
New member
+1.
Mike de Leon
New member
Will not be going back to halide anytime soon!
deepseadan
New member
Will not be going back to halide anytime soon!
What type of leds do you have, and how long have you had them?
TheGodParticle
New member
I just dumped my LEDS to go back to halides. I got tired of lying to myself and telling myself I liked them when in reality I didn't. I like the idea of LED and I think the blues they put out are awesome but for growth and color coral MH can't be beat. I'm extremely happy I switched back and just within a couple days I could notice a huge difference in color. Reds look like absolute crap with LEDS IMO. MH with LED supplemental lighting for morning and night is the way to go IMO.
Mike de Leon
New member
maxspect razor 160 TWO MONTHS. THIS CORAL GREW AND COLORED UP UNDER THIS LIGHT
BonsaiNut
Premium Member
The question is not whether LED's will replace MH / T5, but when. Because within a number of years (exact number tbd) they will likely stop manufacturing the bulbs and fixtures, similar to how you can no longer purchase 60/75/100 watt incandescent bulbs or T8 fluorescent bulbs.
LED's keep increasing in efficiency, and dropping in price - similar in many ways to microprocessor improvements. Right now LED prices are dropping 50% every 3 years - while efficiency is increasing at 20%+ per year.
Once LED's cost 1/10th as much as they do today, and are twice as efficient, people will be amused that we ever had these conversations
Patrick Cox
Active member
The question is not whether LED's will replace MH / T5, but when. Because within a number of years (exact number tbd) they will likely stop manufacturing the bulbs and fixtures, similar to how you can no longer purchase 60/75/100 watt incandescent bulbs or T8 fluorescent bulbs.
LED's keep increasing in efficiency, and dropping in price - similar in many ways to microprocessor improvements. Right now LED prices are dropping 50% every 3 years - while efficiency is increasing at 20%+ per year.
Once LED's cost 1/10th as much as they do today, and are twice as efficient, people will be amused that we ever had these conversations
I totally agree. The question is - what should I do today? :hmm2:
don_chuwish
Member
Very helpful thread as a balance to the discussion. I'm starting to think that yes I could go with LEDs as the upgrade I need, but to do it correctly I'd need to spend the big bucks. (I love DIYing things but know I just don't have the time for a DIY LED to save little $$.)
So I'm going with a used 250W MH instead, under $100 with a 10K bulb, so add a bit more for a 20K and I'm off to the races.
Now I'll have to DIY a canopy or be blinded by the thing... hmn.
- D
So I'm going with a used 250W MH instead, under $100 with a 10K bulb, so add a bit more for a 20K and I'm off to the races.
Now I'll have to DIY a canopy or be blinded by the thing... hmn.
- D
DownwardDawg
New member
You probably won't need a chiller as james77 pointed out. I live in south-central Mississippi, where it's like Africa hot. I have two fans mounted on the wall that blow into the canopy when the halides are on. My tank hasn't gotten above 80 degrees F with all three of the 250 watt halides and 4 T5's running. Of course, I have central AC that keeps the house cool also but I haven't adjusted it a single bit since adding the tank.
Don't just assume you'll need a chiller. Try it without it first.
TheGodParticle
New member
The question is not whether LED's will replace MH / T5, but when. Because within a number of years (exact number tbd) they will likely stop manufacturing the bulbs and fixtures, similar to how you can no longer purchase 60/75/100 watt incandescent bulbs or T8 fluorescent bulbs.
LED's keep increasing in efficiency, and dropping in price - similar in many ways to microprocessor improvements. Right now LED prices are dropping 50% every 3 years - while efficiency is increasing at 20%+ per year.
Once LED's cost 1/10th as much as they do today, and are twice as efficient, people will be amused that we ever had these conversations
Sorry, I'm not drinking the same kool-aid you're drinking. People have been saying that everything is going to replace MH for 20years now. You must not have been in this hobby very long if you haven't heard this about every other new lighting that comes out. People are consistently dumping LEDS to go back to halides. Just look at this thread. I'm not sure how one can basically claim MH will be obsolete in a few years in a thread about how people are dumping them. That trend is going the wrong way. I like many other people were once an LED "fanboy" as well. They looked awesome on a tank that was completely grown out under halides. Until people can point out MULTIPLE amazing tanks grown out exclusively under LEDS and not Halides then people will have a hard time drinking that Kool-aid. Not saying there's not tanks out there, but they are few and far between. I can also just look at my local forum here too. In one community LEDS are a dime a dozen everybody is dumping them. Until then I'll take your advice and I'll wait to be amused. Been waiting many years now.
Specialty lights weren't outlawed which is why I can still buy VHO's. Halides already meet the efficiency standards, as well as T5.
LEDs have become much more efficient in recent years. There was great fanfare when the 100 lumen per watt barrier was broken with commercially available LEDs. Funny part is we had halides that were as efficient for years. While LEDs will continue to make progress with regards to efficiency it is slowing down greatly. The focus is now on reducing costs because many of the large jumps in efficiency have already been made.
I've said it before and I will say it again. LEDs are only marginally more efficient in terms of light output per watt than other systems we use. The advantage to LEDs in our use comes from eliminating "unnecessary" portions of the spectrum and reflectors. The worldwide adoption of LEDs will be driven by cost and longevity with efficiency mentioned for good PR.
LEDs have become much more efficient in recent years. There was great fanfare when the 100 lumen per watt barrier was broken with commercially available LEDs. Funny part is we had halides that were as efficient for years. While LEDs will continue to make progress with regards to efficiency it is slowing down greatly. The focus is now on reducing costs because many of the large jumps in efficiency have already been made.
I've said it before and I will say it again. LEDs are only marginally more efficient in terms of light output per watt than other systems we use. The advantage to LEDs in our use comes from eliminating "unnecessary" portions of the spectrum and reflectors. The worldwide adoption of LEDs will be driven by cost and longevity with efficiency mentioned for good PR.
I'll dip my oar in the water ...
I had a Current 250 watt MH + 4 24 watt T5 fixture over my 40. Yeah, I know, crappy reflectors, etc..
I was staring at a bulb replacement cost of $200CDN.
Or a MaxSpect Razor 16k for $500.
I got the Razor.
Here's the moderately interesting bit -- I took a PAR meter and did some quick readings for the (crappy) Current fixture and the Razor. They both had, in all locations, nearly the same PAR. It was honestly kind of spooky. With no big jumps or dips in PAR with the Razor beyond what you'd expect from depth.
No fancy pics from me -- a contractor accidentally wiped out (why, o why, he turned off the air conditioning during a brutal heat wave ...) most of the tank, leaving only the fish, clams and snails so not much to see, but what the heck. That, and the blackcap basslet is trying to attract a lady by building a nest and creating a sandstorm so you can't see much anyway.
So, here's how I see it.
I have to replace the T5s every 7 or 8 months. The MH lamp every 12-14 (more due to colour shift than a reduction in PAR). I hate that job. And it works out to something like $200 a year.
130 watts / hour less power (but ... I'll have to run the heater more).
The Current system is fugly.
The Razor light looks sexy.
As long as the Razor holds up a couple years, I've broken even on the cost to purchase. And I have a damn sexy light to replace something looks like the fender of a '75 Dodge.
As for colour? I don't think the clams will care much. And when I restock corals, I think I'll stick to montiporas anyway.
I had a Current 250 watt MH + 4 24 watt T5 fixture over my 40. Yeah, I know, crappy reflectors, etc..
I was staring at a bulb replacement cost of $200CDN.
Or a MaxSpect Razor 16k for $500.
I got the Razor.
Here's the moderately interesting bit -- I took a PAR meter and did some quick readings for the (crappy) Current fixture and the Razor. They both had, in all locations, nearly the same PAR. It was honestly kind of spooky. With no big jumps or dips in PAR with the Razor beyond what you'd expect from depth.
No fancy pics from me -- a contractor accidentally wiped out (why, o why, he turned off the air conditioning during a brutal heat wave ...) most of the tank, leaving only the fish, clams and snails so not much to see, but what the heck. That, and the blackcap basslet is trying to attract a lady by building a nest and creating a sandstorm so you can't see much anyway.
So, here's how I see it.
I have to replace the T5s every 7 or 8 months. The MH lamp every 12-14 (more due to colour shift than a reduction in PAR). I hate that job. And it works out to something like $200 a year.
130 watts / hour less power (but ... I'll have to run the heater more).
The Current system is fugly.
The Razor light looks sexy.
As long as the Razor holds up a couple years, I've broken even on the cost to purchase. And I have a damn sexy light to replace something looks like the fender of a '75 Dodge.
As for colour? I don't think the clams will care much. And when I restock corals, I think I'll stick to montiporas anyway.
Patrick Cox
Active member
With the country's focus on energy conservation, I think it is hard to argue that more energy efficient bulbs won't overtake MH at some point. And it looks like LED is on that path. It might sound extreme but I would not be surprised to see MH bulbs regulated or taxed out of existence for hobbyists.
PortlandReefer
New member
I have been in this hobby for 15 plus years have seen lighting change many times over. From VHO to MH 65k.. then watched as that change to 10k then 14k then 20k. Then T5's came out and lots said no way you can do SPS under T5's and of course the T5's proven you can grow anything under them. I have a tank with all of the above lighting and done very well I was very unsure about LED’s but then came the new tank ( 300 SPS cube ) and the cost of the lighting and the chilled and the power bill. So I made the plunge going on 10 months now and couldn’t be happier yes I did sublet with T5’s I did 8 over a 48X48X30 deep so not really sure how much help my corals get from the T5’s I added just to get the pop I was looking for . The one thing in this hobby I do know that works for one will not work for all the if some says you can’t do that it won’t work in the hobby some will show you it does. Of course this is just my two cents and the ramblings’ of a mad man.
James77
Team RC
They stopped manufacturing them ( not incandescents just yet) because they were forced to by the government. Free market and peoples opinions of them had zero influence. I have a mix of CFLs and incandecents in my house, I prefer each one for differing reasons.
Once LED's cost 1/10th as much as they do today, and are twice as efficient, people will be amused that we ever had these conversations
Not if I still get better results with anohter light source. I am not in this hobby to save money at a cost to the animals I keep. If LEDs is 1/10th as cheap and we have a amzing amount of spectrum to choose from- which we will- then LEDs will become the dominant lighting. They are still not figured out yet in terms of spectrum.
Similar threads
