How high do you run your cree LEDs (%)

[xCry0x]

I am about to pull the trigger on a LED fixture and one thing I always read is that cree leds are the best, but everyone dims them down.

How many people run their cree fixtures at 100% power? What size tank? How high off water?

My tank is a 25g cube and I am feeling that 20x3w cree bulbs will be too much light for anything to survive based off what I have been reading from people with AI and other fixtures. I don't want to buy a dimmer because it seems dumb to buy a dimmer just to turn your expensive light down to 50% power when it runs instead of buying less powerful LEDs from the getgo (bridgelux).

 

[ghellin]

Running them at less than full power reduces heat which increases led life. Being able to dim gives you options to dial in your desires color and allows for new coral aclimation so you don't burn or bleach your new coral. Also running them less than full power is more efficient which saves you money.

I have 24 in my aquapod 1:1 CWs @ 1A RBs @ 700 mA, I unfortunately bought the non dimmable drivers and have regretted that decision ever since. My new build however is dimmable and is being controlled by an arduino duemilanove.

 

[Brando457]

I run my ecotech radion at max power 25% 14K and 25% 20K

 

[xCry0x]

Yup, I understand what dimming does. Question is do people eventually run their fixtures at 100% or do they end up running 50% power. I am looking at getting a fixture made with 24 LEDs, with a combo of cool white, royal blue and violet leds...if i want more blue I can just use less white LEDS, no reason to dim white 50% to achieve a color when you can just use less whites. Going with cree instead of all bridgelux because they are the "best". But if everyone dims cree's down to 50% then I might as well get all bridgelux because they are cheaper and can run 100%... which is kind of what I am leaning to now.

 

[xCry0x]

I run my ecotech radion at max power 25% 14K and 25% 20K

Thanks, so only 25%.

 

[ridetheducati]

yup, i understand what dimming does. Question is do people eventually run their fixtures at 100% or do they end up running 50% power. I am looking at getting a fixture made with 24 leds, with a combo of cool white, royal blue and violet leds...if i want more blue i can just use less white leds, no reason to dim white 50% to achieve a color when you can just use less whites. Going with cree instead of all bridgelux because they are the "best". But if everyone dims cree's down to 50% then i might as well get all bridgelux because they are cheaper and can run 100%... Which is kind of what i am leaning to now.

+1