Exactly how necessary are programable LEDs?

[Bent]

Sure they are fun, sure they are cool, but will the novelty of it all eventually get old?

Here's my problem. I need to decide on a light fixture.

I can get a dimable non programmable fixture for 150-200 bucks depending.
A kessil will cost almost 500 by the time I get the controller
The aquatic life halo will be about 350-499
There is a nice fixture on eBay that's programmable and tank length for around 480.

For those of you who own a programmable, did you upgrade from a dimmable at some point? If so, a few months later are you sorry you spent the money on it? Would you ever buy another programmable or would you just save the money and stick with a simple on/off?

It's not that I have a budget or anything that I'm trying to stay in, I just don't want to blow a ton of money on a fixture and wish I hadn't.

Here's the fixtures I'm looking at:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=121701495495
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T6FGE3M/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_36aPvbE334MCY
Kessil A360WE Controllable LED Aquarium Light, Tuna Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BW9KEH2/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_4ebPvbZBFS7Y7

Compared to getting a simple led like this:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=390885496493

 

[Mark426]

They are not necessary. But with that said, I have a high end programmable LED and I dont regret buying it at all.

I would stay away from the ebay type LEDs or most of the offbrands. Something like a Reefbreeders fixture is a very nice, proven fixture while still remaining somewhat affordable. Worth a hard look.

Another option...If you want a simple fixture that is one awesome light, then why not look at a ATI T5 fixture. ATI's are a terrific light and much easier on the wallet. Many of the SPS lovers would never give theirs up.

 

[Johnseye]

IMO dimmable is critical in controlling light intensity with LEDs. You run the risk of either bleaching or browning. Then being able to control the spectrum is what takes lighting to the next level. You can run your lights at 14k, 20k, whatever to tweak growth.

I have a pair of BML 20k XB LEDs if you're interested. You'll need a controller to dim them, but you can't change the spectrum. They're 48" long.

 

[Wazzel]

ON/OFF lighting has worked for a long time and will work with LED. When putting a new non-controllable fixture over your tank you need to do precautions like MH and T-5. Start with a short photoperiod and gradually increase over time. You will have to be happy with the factory setting on color and intensity.

 

[Breadman03]

I think that being able to adjust the intensity of the various colors is important so that we can meet the needs of our livestock as well as adjust the color to be appealing to us. It's like choosing different MH bulbs, but it would be super pricey to be swapping out pucks.

Storms and whatnot make for a bullet point, but don't do anything for me. Although I did see a sweet terrarium with a storm program that included misting water and thunder sounds.

 

[Reefstarter2]

All I want is something that will last as long as the sting of the price tag will , grow corals , and thats really it . I could care less about storms and sunsets and such . sure that would be fun but is it necessary ? when someone tells me that all my needs will be met and the light will last 5-10 years then I'll spend $1500 on lighting

 

[Bent]

I really want either the kessil or the halo.

I've been thinking of only getting one, building the aquascape on only one side under the light and tapering it off for some swim room for the fishes.

 

[Perth_reefer]

There is a lot more to programmable LEDs than just sunsets and lightning storms. The ability to quickly change from one colour temperature to another depending on your corals needs, adjusting your intensity to acclimate new coral and run more aesthetically pleasing lighting to suit your lifestyle are just a few advantages.
I run 10k in the morning, which is better for growth but I don't like the look, 14k through the day and 20k when I'm home in the evening which is better for colour and probably the most aesthetically pleasing temperature.

I also second what Mark said about staying away from eBay fixtures, 99% of the time people come up disappointed with those.

 

[ericarenee]

There is a lot more to programmable LEDs than just sunsets and lightning storms. The ability to quickly change from one colour temperature to another depending on your corals needs, adjusting your intensity to acclimate new coral and run more aesthetically pleasing lighting to suit your lifestyle are just a few advantages.
I run 10k in the morning, which is better for growth but I don't like the look, 14k through the day and 20k when I'm home in the evening which is better for colour and probably the most aesthetically pleasing temperature.

I also second what Mark said about staying away from eBay fixtures, 99% of the time people come up disappointed with those.

As said in another thread.

They also give so much control to the use they will tend to adjust the color to fit what they like to look at. These color spectrum's are not always best for the corals...As far as the cheaper fixtures on e bay i would say hit and miss. but i here A aweful lot of people buying the mars aqua and a couple of the other e bay lights... i would in my opinion get a fixture that has Blues Bright whites and Some UV Spectrum . if THE led has natural 5000k or less white Greens Yellows and REDS. Do not buy them. These are FAKE Colors...

I think with most led reliability is going to be GREAT OR Bad..
I like m/h and t5 because you plug them in turn them on and DONE...
I have my t5 lights to come on of the morning one at a time 15 minutes apart then the mh a hour later . and reverse this of the evening on timers.. So you can have dimmable so to speak

 

[nuxx]

Not necessary...

Have "smart" A360WEs hooked up to an Apex on our display.

Have "smartish" Current Marine Orbit fixture on our frag tank, ramps up and down during the day.

Also have a "dumb" Chinese LED on the frag tank as well. Have it connected to a timer to turn off at a certain time. I have to manually turn it on with the remote in the morning though...

Both setups will work. It's nicer to have full control of the Kessils and just set and forget...

 

[Bent]

Or instead of messing with leds I could go with a MH Fixture.

 

[Bent]

Wow what's wrong with this?

48'' 500 Watt 2x 250 Metal Halide Aquarium Light Reef w/ Lunar Moon Lights LED https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009L47FAE/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_9XePvb79AKJ93

 

[Perth_reefer]

Or instead of messing with leds I could go with a MH Fixture.

I think MH might be a better option for you. It sounds like you're looking for more of a plug and play. LEDs take a little patience and adjustment to get right.

They also give so much control to the use they will tend to adjust the color to fit what they like to look at.

I think this is one of the main reasons people fail with LED, they just adjust the settings to what looks 'pretty' and then are disappointed with the results, they take time to set up, but once done can work very well.

 

[thestreetzking]

I will say that I bought a dimable fixture and wish I would have spent the extra 120 to have it programmable. The reason being is I need to be home or have someone here to turn the lights on, every day... And then not only that but I need to adjust them as the day goes on, everyday. It is a lot, thankfully my wife is a stay at home mother but I still wish I went with the options of programs.

 

[Bent]

I will say that I bought a dimable fixture and wish I would have spent the extra 120 to have it programmable. The reason being is I need to be home or have someone here to turn the lights on, every day... And then not only that but I need to adjust them as the day goes on, everyday. It is a lot, thankfully my wife is a stay at home mother but I still wish I went with the options of programs.

You can't use an old school timer like they have at lowes?

Like so:
http://m.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-15-...tial-Plug-in-Countdown-Lighting-Timer/4740882

 

[thestreetzking]

You can't use an old school timer like they have at lowes?

I could, I would need 2, one for the blues and one for the whites. But my issue with this is that I like to start with just turning on the blues, then slowly increasing, then turning on the whites, and then slowing increasing both until I hit a ratio of like 70/30.

I feel like if I just had an intense blue kick on and then an intense white it would be to drastic of a change? I really dont know which is why I manually increase them

 

[snorvich]

Programmable here and I would not change. I do not use the features such as storms but I do simulate the light intensity as experienced on the reef. My dusk program simulates the conditions for fish breeding.

 

[slief]

I really want either the kessil or the halo.

I've been thinking of only getting one, building the aquascape on only one side under the light and tapering it off for some swim room for the fishes.

Between the two, Kessil hands down. Kessil designs builds their own clusters and also designs their own Diodes as far as I am aware. Kessil also has great service in the off chance you have an issue. From a quality, engineering, support and service standpoint, Kessil wins by a long run.

I run 8 Kessil 360WE's on my 480 gallon display and absolutely love them.
As for how important dimming control is, as it's been said, we had to deal with non dimmable lights for decades. But, having dimmable and more importantly controllable lights allows for us to tune color to our liking as well as for coral benefit while also allowing better acclimation without cutting the photoperiod short for months while you acclimate corals. It also makes for a nice sunrise and sunset and shorter peak lighting periods that emulate the suns natural light cycle much better. After all, it's light all day but the sun is only at it's peak for a handful of those hours. Whether that's important to our corals or livestock is debateable but it certainly helps on the electric bill!

 

[Bent]

I run 8 Kessil 360WE's on my 480 gallon display and absolutely love them.

I am way too poor for this hobby...lol

 

[slief]

I am way too poor for this hobby...lol

LOL.. I've been in this hobby a very long time. I had my 480g display custom built 20 years ago and it's never been dry other than one move and a break down for a re-aquascape and complete polishing. The total of those two break downs was less than a week total.

Over those years, there was a bit of what I will refer to as trial and error (learing from my mistakes) to get me to where I am today or more importanly my tank. I now tend to gravitate towards better equipment as it saves me money and stress in the long run. I don't like spending good money after bad and the Kessils were a really nice upgrade over a pretty damn good set of LED's (Reef Tech) that they replaced. I could actually use a couple more Kessils on my tank and have been seriously contemplating that..

That said, you wouldn't want to hang around me as it might rub off on you and you would go broke in a real hurry! :lol: