Anyone Thinking of Dumping LEDS and going back to Halides

[bloodypeasant]

I was considering buying one of the Maxspect Razors, but, with the thread's I've read I'm now reconsidering. My initial thought was...

I have a 4x39watt T-5 fixture. Replace all four bulbs every six months at $25 a bulb that's $200 a year in total for bulb replacement.

Maxspect Razor - Spend around $500 dollars for an LED fixture which lasts 50,000 hours (apparently) and has the ability to control lighting intensity/color. At 10 hours of light a day that would equal 3,650 hours of use a year. 50,000 divided by that annual usage of 3,650 would yield me an LED life of 13.7 years?

Now I could just run through the next 13.7 years spending 2,740 dollars on t-5 bulbs, or buy an LED fixture.

At first seemed like a no brainer. But now I'm asking myself how many components on that fixture will actually last 50,000 hours? And now I'm reading that not only the control-ability is lacking (for the specific LED fixture I wanted), but that many people actually prefer t-5's or MH (no way I can afford MH) because of better growth and color? I had this fantasy through past research that LED's would revolutionize the way we light our aquariums. Every tank I have seen with LED's the color looks great and very crisp.

This is such a large community and there are so many differing opinions and experiences. Since I'm a new reefer I guess I'll just have to go through the same trial process that everyone else has already gone through to find their optimal setup.

Also @ Aqualund I'm eagerly awaiting that build thread. I'm a DIY kinda guy and love to tinker and learn new things. Tank looks great man!

 

[MedRed]

What MH bulb did you use

Marty

14,000K Phoenix and 3 ATI Blue+ and 1 ATI Purple+

My tank 1 year after being on Sol Blues

14 Days After being on Radions

2.5 months after being on Radions

17 days after being on MH+T5

33 days after being on MH+T5

A month on halides and my SPS colors improved dramatically.

 

[rtparty]

I was considering buying one of the Maxspect Razors, but, with the thread's I've read I'm now reconsidering. My initial thought was...

I have a 4x39watt T-5 fixture. Replace all four bulbs every six months at $25 a bulb that's $200 a year in total for bulb replacement.

Is your fixture cooled at all? If so, bulbs should last at least 9 months. If it isn't cooled, go get a cheap clip on fan from Walmart and cool it. That should yield 9 months on your bulbs.

I use an ATI fixture and am pretty sure some of my bulbs are 14 months old right now and still going great.

 

[bloodypeasant]

Is your fixture cooled at all? If so, bulbs should last at least 9 months. If it isn't cooled, go get a cheap clip on fan from Walmart and cool it. That should yield 9 months on your bulbs.

I use an ATI fixture and am pretty sure some of my bulbs are 14 months old right now and still going great.

I have a shitty Odyssea fixture. It is cooled, but everyone I've spoken to says about 6 months for replacement is optimal. I have tried to buy some good quality bulbs (Giesemann). Even if I only bought bulbs every 12 months that is alot of money to invest if an LED fixture is worth it in the long haul. This time around I'd spend a few extra bucks to get something that would be worth it though. Upon tank setup I was a little strapped on cash and really took some shortcuts. It's all a learning experience I guess.

 

[jda]

I was considering buying one of the Maxspect Razors, but, with the thread's I've read I'm now reconsidering. My initial thought was...

I have a 4x39watt T-5 fixture. Replace all four bulbs every six months at $25 a bulb that's $200 a year in total for bulb replacement.

Maxspect Razor - Spend around $500 dollars for an LED fixture which lasts 50,000 hours (apparently) and has the ability to control lighting intensity/color. At 10 hours of light a day that would equal 3,650 hours of use a year. 50,000 divided by that annual usage of 3,650 would yield me an LED life of 13.7 years?

Now I could just run through the next 13.7 years spending 2,740 dollars on t-5 bulbs, or buy an LED fixture.

At first seemed like a no brainer. But now I'm asking myself how many components on that fixture will actually last 50,000 hours? And now I'm reading that not only the control-ability is lacking (for the specific LED fixture I wanted), but that many people actually prefer t-5's or MH (no way I can afford MH) because of better growth and color? I had this fantasy through past research that LED's would revolutionize the way we light our aquariums. Every tank I have seen with LED's the color looks great and very crisp.

This is such a large community and there are so many differing opinions and experiences. Since I'm a new reefer I guess I'll just have to go through the same trial process that everyone else has already gone through to find their optimal setup.

Also @ Aqualund I'm eagerly awaiting that build thread. I'm a DIY kinda guy and love to tinker and learn new things. Tank looks great man!

They might very well last 50,000 hours. However, as rapidly as the fixtures are evolving, you will not likely want to use the fixture in 18 months or 2 years. There are people who have replaced their fixtures since I last replaced my MH bulbs. In a real CMA, I would factor in a 24 month useful life of a current LED panel.

If you want cheap and effective, then 150W MH with 14K phoenix bulbs are great light with 2 year bulb changes.

 

[asid61]

I have a shitty Odyssea fixture. It is cooled, but everyone I've spoken to says about 6 months for replacement is optimal. I have tried to buy some good quality bulbs (Giesemann). Even if I only bought bulbs every 12 months that is alot of money to invest if an LED fixture is worth it in the long haul. This time around I'd spend a few extra bucks to get something that would be worth it though. Upon tank setup I was a little strapped on cash and really took some shortcuts. It's all a learning experience I guess.

On a good led fixture, when they say the leds will last 50k hours, they mean that the leds will be 70% as bright at hour 50,000. So if you go a bit bigger than you need, the leds will last longer.
Led drivers and such will last an eternity because they are just mosfets and such, so no mechanical components. Anything that breaks can usually be replaced quickly by the company.
The fan on the Razor is almost never on, so it will last awhile,
and the heatsink is just a block of aluminum, so plenty of years on that.

I would say 5-10 years is a good estimate of led fixture life because of the drivers. And if the fixture is good, like a Razor, 10 years is more likely.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

I have the Mitras 6200 HV LED and it is a fantastic fixture. I still am not seeing my Acros color up like they should for whatever reason.

You changed the light to a Mitras less than a week ago, I am not surprised in the slightest your acros have not coloured up yet, Report back in 6 months and I think you may have a better idea of how effective a light is. By keep changing fixtures at this rate you are just stressing the corals.

If you scroll through the mitras owners club forum you will see many report improved colouration in about 3-5 months after the switch which is about enough time for the corals to slowly adjust themselves to the new spectrum and intensity, it also takes time for you to find the sweet spot for you own tank.

So far the reports from end users that the mitras is the first fixture to really replicate T5 and mH in one package but as with anything good in life it takes time to grow. Let your tank have time to adjust.

 

[bloodypeasant]

Thanks Asid and Jda.

I wasn't aware that MH bulbs were 2 year replacement. But then I may have to use an aquarium chiller during the summer.

Yea I thought the Razor looked very promising. An LFS in the area swears by them. After reading some other threads it seems like I may take a different approach. Of course I am also assuming the LFS is not going to be as concerned with growth as they are with color. I guess more research is in my future.

 

[chadfarmer]

You changed the light to a Mitras less than a week ago, I am not surprised in the slightest your acros have not coloured up yet, Report back in 6 months and I think you may have a better idea of how effective a light is. By keep changing fixtures at this rate you are just stressing the corals.

If you scroll through the mitras owners club forum you will see many report improved colouration in about 3-5 months after the switch which is about enough time for the corals to slowly adjust themselves to the new spectrum and intensity, it also takes time for you to find the sweet spot for you own tank.

So far the reports from end users that the mitras is the first fixture to really replicate T5 and mH in one package but as with anything good in life it takes time to grow. Let your tank have time to adjust.

well now u see why people are made at this dude now he will talk bad about your fixture

 

[rtparty]

well now u see why people are made at this dude now he will talk bad about your fixture

We all know it's the lack of UV......

:debi:

 

[shaginwagon13]

14,000K Phoenix and 3 ATI Blue+ and 1 ATI Purple+

My tank 1 year after being on Sol Blues

14 Days After being on Radions

2.5 months after being on Radions

17 days after being on MH+T5

33 days after being on MH+T5

A month on halides and my SPS colors improved dramatically.

Wow really nice tank. That rock work looks amazing.

 

[asid61]

Wow really nice tank. That rock work looks amazing.

It won a TOTM on another forum with some really vibrant pics. Those pictures really convinced me that I need to do some hard studying and protoyping with leds to see the difference in coral colors with different spectra, or at least help others to do the same.

 

[DarkStalker]

amazing, I've battled about 14months with two types of leds trying to get some color of my sps, had great growth but the colors weren't there, after almost a month under t5 I'm starting to see colors that never saw.

 

[shaginwagon13]

It won a TOTM on another forum with some really vibrant pics. Those pictures really convinced me that I need to do some hard studying and protoyping with leds to see the difference in coral colors with different spectra, or at least help others to do the same.

I can see why it won, its beautiful.

I use and love halides, but this tank makes you re-consider. Does anyone know what LED system he was using?

Edit: Found it.

14,000K Phoenix and 3 ATI Blue+ and 1 ATI Purple+

My tank 1 year after being on Sol Blues

 

[HurricaneSystem]

well now u see why people are made at this dude now he will talk bad about your fixture

Chadfarmer, You know what they say about people who assume right? :debi:

There is nothing wrong with the Mitras and it is a great LED. I am trying the MH to see if there is any change in the coloration, simple as that.

AOD_Ottowa, I will email you outside the forum, I would appreciate it if you don't do the same thing Mr. Farmer did and assume things.

 

[rtparty]

Chadfarmer, You know what they say about people who assume right? :debi:

There is nothing wrong with the Mitras and it is a great LED. I am trying the MH to see if there is any change in the coloration, simple as that.

AOD_Ottowa, I will email you outside the forum, I would appreciate it if you don't do the same thing Mr. Farmer did and assume things.

No one's assuming anything. You've changed lights once a week and then blame a lighting system when your tank doesn't poop gold. You then bash the old lighting system for being crap.

Now you've had the Mitras for less than a month and your acro isn't coloring up so let's try a halide. An overpowered halide at that.

You are the problem, not the lights.

 

[MrIcky]

In all fairness, he hasn't really bashed the old light systems except the vegas.

Pretty spectacular reviewer fail overall though.

Medred, it's hard for me to tell for certain, but it looks like your SPS improved significantly under MH, but your LPS look like maybe they aren't as happy with the change. Is that accurate? Medred really knocked it out of the park with the aquascape.

 

[HurricaneSystem]

Nope, not bashing any lights. That is the wonderful thing about being able to make your own choices.

And for everyone's information. I don't know that anyone, using any fixture, has been able to achieve the color and growth of MH yet have they?

And why is it a spectacular reviewer fail? You do know that a "review" is just that right? It isn't a contract that says "I shall never change any lighting for the rest of my days".

 

[shred5]

I am not taking sides but I want to say this. Read some of Dana Riddle's articles on coral colors.

For sps mainly, not so much other corals but the pigments actually come from spectrum they dont like as much as the spectrum they use.

Sps produce pigments and proteins to block certain spectrum's of light or maybe even change it to something they like. They produce pigment to block uv as an example. Most sps come from very shallow water and a few even bake in direct sun part of the day and get hit with full spectrum and uv... so basically some pigments are actually sunscreen.. So lets say we take away the uv what happens to those pigments over time that are used to block uv?

We seem to focus on the spectrum of light chlorophyll like the most but that is only part of the picture. If it were just about chlorophyll most of our corals would come pretty much the same area but what allows some to grow in direct sunlight while other in the shade?.

Another issue is we are trying to keep all different corals from different areas and zones all next to each other under the same type of lighting... This is unnatural and every coral is different.

 

[chadfarmer]

Chadfarmer, You know what they say about people who assume right? :debi:

There is nothing wrong with the Mitras and it is a great LED. I am trying the MH to see if there is any change in the coloration, simple as that.

AOD_Ottowa, I will email you outside the forum, I would appreciate it if you don't do the same thing Mr. Farmer did and assume things.

im not assuming, real all your posts