JBJ Nano Cube 28 Hqi vs LED

[nrbelk]

My question is what other peoples' experiences have been with these tanks, mainly, is the LED version worth spending the extra money for.

I am tempted to buy the LED version mainly because I think it would give of more actinic light than the metal halide bulb that comes with the hqi model. They both come with actinic moonlights but in the HQI model, I don't think it would be enough to make the colors pop. The LED version comes with a daylight and dawn dusk lights. I would have them on both at the same time.

But if my thoughts are wrong and there wouldn't be much difference in appearance, then I might as well save the extra money that the LED version would cost.

What do you think? Personal experience? I do plan on growing some select SPS.

 

[username in use]

I would go with the LED strictly from a heat savings point of view. Those little all in ones with Metal Halides are notorious for heating up.

 

[seapug]

The LEDs will work and the lifespan does help offset the cost of replacing MH bulbs over time. You can also get the regular HQI model and install an PC actinic retrofit from nanocustoms.com.

 

[nrbelk]

Thanks for the info. I just have a few more questions.

how much do new metal halide bulbs cost? How often do you typically have to replace them?

Also, is my assumption correct that since the LED version comes with some actinic LED, I would have the option to have more color "pop" than I would have with just the stock HQI bulb?

Thanks again!

 

[seapug]

new 150W DE MH bulbs run anywhere from $50-$80/bulb depending on what the brand is, Kelvin Temp, retailer, etc. They should be replaced at least once/year, but I typically do it every 9 months.

Yes, the actinic LEDs will help bring out flourescence and they are on their own power supply so you do have the option to do a dawn/dusk phase with all blue lighting. You can't do that with the regular HQI version without installing an actinic retrofit (unless the new ones come with actinic supplementation now).