LED Lighting Options

CReyes350

CReyes350

Member
Hey everyone!

So I recently ordered a 48" X 20" X 21" 80 gal. aquarium and I am having a difficult time in choosing an LED light source for a mixed reef. The reason I want to go with LED's is to save money on my electricity bill and bulb replacement. With so many LED fixtures out there and new ones coming out (i.e. AI, Ecotech, Orphek, Kessil) I am looking for suggestions and REASONS why one may be better than another.

If you currently have LEDs on your system please share some pictures of your corals. As you may all know- "A picture is worth a thousand words."



ooxxooXoXXx :lolspin:
 
I run the AI Sol Blues and love them! The price is right and the color mixture is great IMO. My coral growth is really good. Been running them for about 2 years now without any issues whatsoever.
 
Bgsutton said:
I run the AI Sol Blues and love them! The price is right and the color mixture is great IMO. My coral growth is really good. Been running them for about 2 years now without any issues whatsoever.
Click to expand...

I have seen your lighting system and have actually been inspired by it. Thank you, Bill.
 
Out of personal experience, aqua illumination was good I have the 2nd gen. Sol whites and would grow sps @15in below the water line with no problem. The other leds I had were ecoxotic panorama pros, and those couldn't sustain sps very well. Although I have read alot of good reviews on the Orpheks. Hope you find something you like!
 
If you're into DIY, three 50W multichips would do nicely. I'd probably shoot for the 15000k+420-450nm royal blue version of the chip.

-J
 
David520 said:
Out of personal experience, aqua illumination was good I have the 2nd gen. Sol whites and would grow sps @15in below the water line with no problem. The other leds I had were ecoxotic panorama pros, and those couldn't sustain sps very well. Although I have read alot of good reviews on the Orpheks. Hope you find something you like!
Click to expand...

David, you switched to LED?? Your MH's were killing it! Your cube had the best color on corals I have even seen in person! I like A.I. but haven't seen many Orpheks in action...
 
I still have the metal halides but I also have 3 A.I.'s that I had over the tank in the wall because the halides were to hot for the enclosed area.
 
David520 said:
I still have the metal halides but I also have 3 A.I.'s that I had over the tank in the wall because the halides were to hot for the enclosed area.
Click to expand...

I gotcha... Do you think that an LED fixture could ever make the purple pop on an Idaho grape monti like your MH's can? If so... I want that LED fixture lol
 
I think you could with LEDs, I think the color of it gets washed out from the lighting of LEDs. I gave a frag to someone who had a cheap LED fixture and the color was different but when I got it back and put it under the metal halides the color was still there. Imo Its just the visual effects different lighting give off.
 
David520 said:
I think you could with LEDs, I think the color of it gets washed out from the lighting of LEDs. I gave a frag to someone who had a cheap LED fixture and the color was different but when I got it back and put it under the metal halides the color was still there. Imo Its just the visual effects different lighting give off.
Click to expand...

Not to hijack your thread but....What brand MH are you running David?
 

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