Converting a 500 gallon tank to LEDs!

[scar79]

I'm looking to convert an established 500 gallon tank over to LED's. It's currently running 6x400w metal halides. Things look good, but a ballast just blew and all bulbs are due for replacement, so it's time to make the switch.

I'm trying to explore all options here. The footprint of the tank is 96x36, so it looks like we're going to have to go two deep to get the necessary coverage front-to-back with most fixtures.

I'm familiar with AI SOLs and figure we would need to run 8-10 of those. Radions are twice the price per unit, but I don't think a single row of them would be sufficient for complete coverage and a staggered setup might leave dark corners. I've also looked into non-adjustable units like the Kessels and Ecoxotic Cannons, but am afraid of being "stuck" with one color temp.

Just wondering what you all think would be an efficient (and cost effective) way to cover the footprint of the tank.

 

[RCERNA280]

Actually kessil just came out with the a350 and I believe they're dimmable will run you $400 a piece but they got good penetration and wide spread. Not personal experience but just a little bit of research.

 

[Stolireef]

My experienc with the Radions suggests that you could probably get the light you want with six placed similarly to your current MH's. It depends on how your current lights are reflected (if more for depth, then the Radions, if more for spread, you'd have to add more Radions). That's alot of coin but being able to slave them together gives you some very cool options, especially over that large a tank. Just picture what you could do with grouping and dimming funtions allowig you to move the light without moving the fixtures.

I wonder...
'Honey, can I replace my new 110 with a new 500 and add 6 more Radioms so I can pretend that a comet is flying over head at night' ... 'Sure, we really don't need to send the kids to college' ... 'Thanks honey, your swell'

 

[moondoggy4]

The Kessil 350 are manually dimmable. Good news there should be a lot of new stuff released theis week at the show in Germany.

 

[scar79]

Those Kessil 350s look like a great option. Still digesting the reviews of the spread and penetration of both the standard and w models. From what I've collected, six of them would probably fit the bill