Anyone Thinking of Dumping LEDS and going back to Halides

[dz6t]

I would second this position. With enough money and enough electricity and enough emitters, you can replicate the effects of MH and T5. When you reach that threshold, however, You will have a light unit that is many more times the cost of MH or T5 and which uses almost as much juice as T5 or MH.

I'm glad Sanjay is performing this experiment, but I think that even with packing the canopy with Radions he can only get "close" to the even distribution of light under the older technologies. There will still be hot-spots and drop-off areas. I hope he carefully words his assessment of the lights so that the headline isn't simplified to "Sanjay endorses LEDs for SPS".

It is possible to do it.
I have a custom made led light matches 20K radium 250w MH in spectrum and intensity, even mimic the high intensity in the middle.
What it took was 250 LED mix and match in a million dollar research lab.
I have it in between two radium 20K 250w halide and no one can tell the difference.
Not a marketable product because the cost is too high for consumer market.

 

[1fishkeeper]

Well I'm pulling the trigger and pulling the plug on my LED setup. Right now I am shopping around looking for a MH/T5 system to go over my tank. Right now I am looking at the Reef Brite HyBrid or a Hamilton combo. My problem is My tank is 60"x27"x27" so getting something to cover it is the hard part. I don't know if the Reef Brite 15" will cover my tank with 2 of them. Hamilton makes a 60" combo that I might go with. I just need to figure out what one so I can get it ordered.

 

[overexposed]

What about on a 120 ? 48x24x24 150w or 250w MH ? And how many? 2 or 3 ? I currently have 2 x 150w MH and 2x 54w T5 on my 72bowfront.

2x 250w is perfect for a 120.

Well I'm pulling the trigger and pulling the plug on my LED setup. Right now I am shopping around looking for a MH/T5 system to go over my tank. Right now I am looking at the Reef Brite HyBrid or a Hamilton combo. My problem is My tank is 60"x27"x27" so getting something to cover it is the hard part. I don't know if the Reef Brite 15" will cover my tank with 2 of them. Hamilton makes a 60" combo that I might go with. I just need to figure out what one so I can get it ordered.

I would get two of the full size Hamilton Cabo Sun reflectors and throw them on a light rack with two T5 bulbs DIYed on.

 

[jackson6745]

It is possible to do it.
I have a custom made led light matches 20K radium 250w MH in spectrum and intensity, even mimic the high intensity in the middle.
What it took was 250 LED mix and match in a million dollar research lab.
I have it in between two radium 20K 250w halide and no one can tell the difference.
Not a marketable product because the cost is too high for consumer market.

How do the sps respond under the led? How long has it been? Do you have quality pics to share?

 

[dz6t]

How do the sps respond under the led? How long has it been? Do you have quality pics to share?

It has been running about 10 month, It is on a SPS tank and coral are growing great under it with great color, similar to radium 20K 250w. If you ever come to Boston area, you are welcome to see it.

This light uses 100w and it is not dimmable nor adjustable, it was built to mimic radium 20K as much as possible.

 

[dz6t]

Also, this light is made out of all aluminum and no moving part at all.
It is a research project as well as a prototype, so far I am not actively looking for a partner to commercialize it as I don't see it is cost effective. What I am saying is that a radium halide with quality reflector are cheaper to buy.

 

[fewponds]

This is my piece of [cenzored] SPS under the leds. I wish I had T5 but it is what it is...

There are 142 leds spaced "evenly" over the entire rock, which covers 2ft x 2ft area (in 40 in cube).

 

[ghostman]

There are 142 leds spaced "evenly" over the entire rock, which covers 2ft x 2ft area (in 40 in cube).

Could you take a picture of the lighting setup. I'd love to see it. You have 142 LEDs, that much SPS, live rock and a Blue Tang in a 40 cube (24x24x12)? Thats a whole other thread....

 

[fewponds]

Hi. What I meant it is 40in x 40in cube (20 hight)... 132 gal. But you are right hippo will be some day too big
Lighting setup pictures are on the way...

 

[grigsy]

I'm starting a small SPS tank and am debating on a 250HQI MH pendant or an LED pendant, possibly a Kessil..not sure

its only a 34gl tank- 20" rimless cube

kinda leaning towards the MH

Go with a single 250 watt HQI MH pendant. Especially if it is an SPS tank.

My SPS do much better under metal halides then under LEDs.

 

[msderganc]

Well I'm pulling the trigger and pulling the plug on my LED setup. Right now I am shopping around looking for a MH/T5 system to go over my tank. Right now I am looking at the Reef Brite HyBrid or a Hamilton combo. My problem is My tank is 60"x27"x27" so getting something to cover it is the hard part. I don't know if the Reef Brite 15" will cover my tank with 2 of them. Hamilton makes a 60" combo that I might go with. I just need to figure out what one so I can get it ordered.

You may want to look into the ATI hybrid powermodule (T5/LED) as well. I have the 8 bulb 48" over a similar tank and it works well. You could do the 60" version, but you'd lose T5 dimming if you're in the US.

 

[adamyaws]

I'm right on the cusp of pulling the trigger to go back to MH and T5. My 150XH looks no bueno under my AI Hydras. I think most of the issue is with the tank's depth. I was happy with the Hydras on a standard 90 but it's narrower and shallower. Adding the extra 6" of depth and 6" of width has pushed it beyond.

No amount of adjustment will eliminate the dim V down the middle of the tank.

So the question is: 400W or 250W? I'm probably going to buy the Lumatek 400W ballast since it can also run 250W. Maybe the reef brite reeftech fixtures or the open coralvue reflectors. My 9" canopy doesn't have much room to play!

Thoughts?

 

[overexposed]

Go 400! Just finished hanging the fixture for my new 205 gallon build.... 3x 400w

 

[SPotter]

Start with 250w and then upgrade to 400w if you need to.

 

[adamyaws]

Nice! Looks great!

I purchased the coral vue spider reflectors, (having to go low profile) the Lumatek 400/250w electronic ballast, and the Hamilton 14K bulbs.

I'm fairly certain I can sell the Hydras and pay for this change. It's really a bummer -- I like the Hydras a lot and really enjoy their flexibility...I just don't think they can handle the depth of this tank.

 

[mhucasey]

Go 400! Just finished hanging the fixture for my new 205 gallon build.... 3x 400w

You're going to need to change your signature line. Your dreams are becoming a reality. Awesome set-up!

 

[d2mini]

Go 400! Just finished hanging the fixture for my new 205 gallon build.... 3x 400w

Nice! You doing 400w radiums? Get some VHO actinics and you've got the holy grail, never been topped lighting setup.

 

[1fishkeeper]

Ok I have made my choice between two different setups. The first one is the Hamilton Belize sun and the other is the Hamilton Cebu sun. Both are a T5 combo. But the Belize is HQI and the Cebu is mogul. What one would you think would be better for covering my tank that is 60"x27"x27"? Also should I go 250 or 400? Also what ballast should I run on each of them so I can get the most out of it? I plan on ordering one or the other the first part of this week so I can dump my worthless LEDs. It has been years since I have ran MH and on that tank I used a cheap Fleabay HQI setup that worked great for years.

 

[Fishmommy]

I have the Cebu Sun and go the Radium ballast upgrade. Love it.

 

[overexposed]

You're going to need to change your signature line. Your dreams are becoming a reality. Awesome set-up!

Haha thanks mate, the dream is definitely within sight!

Nice! You doing 400w radiums? Get some VHO actinics and you've got the holy grail, never been topped lighting setup.

I've got some vho super actinics on the way! I had a hard time finding them in stock anywhere, so when I finally did I decided to get three years worth lol.

I was originally going to run XM 20k's, but due to an order mixup I received XM 15k's. Instead of going through the process of returning them for the correct bulbs I opted to give them a shot. Next year I'll probably just get a set of Radiums - no risk of the warehouse messing up, and I know they are good bulbs!