Does using LED's for shimmer really work?

[BonesCJ]

With all the new LED spotlights and other LED products out there do any of them really produce noticable shimmer in a tank lit with T5's? I have tried it in the past with moonlights and the such and the shimmer gets completely washed out by the T5's.

 

[swanny]

Oh yeah they work, sometimes it's too much shimmer for some people.

 

[BonesCJ]

Do you have any examples? I am setting up my 90 with a 4 bulb t5 kit and could easily mount some standard bulb fixtures in the hood for LED spots.

 

[beachbreak]

I run 4 Sols with 4 80 watt T5s and it tames the crazy shimmer of LEDs a lot. It makes it much more like metal halide shimmer than LED shimmer. It also removes any of the "disco effect" on the sand.

 

[Donkeykong]

As you said if you only add a little bit of LEDs compared to alot of T5's the shimmer will be washed out and unnoticeable. Think about running two exotic stunner strips with 4-6 T5's and you should still get a good amount of shimmer. Or you could just run full LED's on your 90g.

 

[BonesCJ]

I have considered all LED's but ugh the cost is so much higher than t5's

 

[WinnipegDragon]

I have considered all LED's but ugh the cost is so much higher than t5's

Not once you figure out the cost of replacement bulbs for the T5s and electrical costs. LED is downright cheap, especially if you go imported or DIY.

 

[ramdude]

I bought a marineland led light just for our trigger. he is in a 85 hex and it shimmers nice day & night.

of course this is a cheaper light due to not needing anything crazy but it does work. tank is 29 tall.

if you want, PM me your number and I can send you some videos of it.