AquaIllumination white vs blue LEDs

[am944]

Ok, I'm sure that this topic has been addressed somewhere in the forums, sorry for asking again. Here it goes...I have a 125g, 72" X 20" X 20", tank. Previously, I had a 75g, 48" X 18" X 20", tank with 2 x 250W Metal Halide lights. When my tank cracked I upgraded to the 125g but kept the same lights. So, over a year has gone by, my coral has paled and died, and I decided to go LED after a guy I bowl with offered me his 4 X 250W MHs. Initially, I went with the blue but then changed my mind to white. Currently, my MHs are 12000k and soft corals do quite well in my tank. I want to go back to SPS and maybe even try some LPS and clams. I've heard that the color preference is just that, a preference and not a requirement, but I'm not convinced; haha. If anyone with AquaIlluminations, either white or blue, would post pics and their reasoning for going white vs blue that would be AWESOME. I've ordered the white ones from Premium but I think they'll let me flop once more if need be. Also, has anyone gone with a mix? I asked about going 2 blue modules and 2 white modules, but the guy didn't recommend it. Any help would be greatly appreciated and sorry again if I asked a Q that has already been asked!


Alan

 

[jtma508]

This question has come up before. I'll give you my take on what I've learned. AI recommends 1 unit per foot for a tank of normal depth (front-to-back) and a failry small mounting height. Lots of folks are using fewer modules by rasing their lights (>12" above the tank). Higher lights typically will require that the LEDs be driven higher and the Sol Blues (2-to-1 blues to white) will therefore be 'bluer' as the unit is driven higher. More units allow you to drive the modules at a lower level and affords you more margin in color mixing.

If you look at the Cree spectral graphs you'll see that as far as PAR goes it won't matter which unit you get.

 

[Ricardo_Jorge]

Mixing Blue with White you´ll can not control them separately.
I.E: You have 1 Sol White and 1 Sol Blue in a controller. If you want just blue LEDs on, you´ll can´t. Because when the blues ones in the Sol Blue are on, some White LEDs in the Sol White will be also on!

I have 2 x Sol White and i like it! As a Sol Blue, you can control the intensity of the ligths separately!

Am i clear?
Hug

 

[snorvich]

I ordered Sol Blue because you can get any color mix you want if they are controlled by light intensity; remember each color is controlled separately. I changed all optics to 70 degree and have them about 12 inches above my tank and cover an 8 foot tank with 7 Sol units with no spotlighting and no shadow gaps.

 

[Greedo]

I know you were looking at AI but if you want something more modular for a better color blend I know a couple people who have had good success with TMC's Aquaray. I myself keep a few acro's and an LTA quite happy with 4 strips over a 30"L x 18"w x 22" H for over a year with them.

http://americanaquariumproducts.com/LEDLights.html

IMHO they are a good quality LED modular system. You can blend color and add more light if need be easier according to what your livestock's needs.