LEDs causing color-wash

[MMM33732]

I just swapped out my halides to LEDs and now have an issue. So I used to have 3 175w 20,000k metal halides over my 125 and things looked pretty good. I just swapped them out for 3 50w 20,000-25,000k LEDs and 9 10w blue LEDs. Now I love the new color. Its just as blue as before if not a tad more, but the rocks have a pinkish/purple tint to then whereas before it was a dim blue-gray tint. So all is good in that aspect. My issue is the corals all seem color-washed. They don't pop like they used to. I assumed with all the blue they would fluoresce more. If I have just the blue LEDs on, they glow like crazy, but once the white is on as well all seem a but color washed. Any ideas on what would help? Maybe adding some 10,000k? Or even maybe some dim green LEDs???

 

[Dmorty217]

Give it time, going from MH to LEDs or LEDs to MH will cause corals to loose color and some will change completely. The corals will get their color back, it just will take wks to months depending on the change. 10k LEDs will help some would look at UV, red, green, and indigo LEDs to get the full spectrum of light

 

[pwreef]

This is because 20K LED is NOT even close to be the same as 20K MH. They are completely different measurements. Look at respectable LED manufacturers like Ecotech or Kessil or AI, they do not use such LEDs. No name high-Kelvin Chinese LEDs tend to wash out colors and make your tank look sterile.

 

[power boat jim]

If you can just turn the whites down to 30 percent or so.

 

[zachts]

You will need to supplement with smaller red end spectrum LEDs to fill in the missing spectrum at a minimum. A string of small Red, cyan, blue leds would help immensely also you'll be missing sub 450nm violet with that setup so some of the flourescent colors will not look the same.

Supplementing with a pair of t5 coral plus would be simpler than fiddling with getting the right LED combo (unless you want to) what you have will be great for main lighting and coral growth you'll just need to fill in some for the desired visual experience your used to.\

Also be sure you take time to aclimate your tank to the new LEDs or you risk quickly bleaching corals.

 

[BigAl2007]

When you say "just swapped out my halides to LEDs" did you do any form of "acclimation"? Keep in mind that LED can be VERY intense compared to other forms of light and the MOST COMMON mistake when migrating from non-LED to LED is lack of light acclimation. I literally fried some high light loving SPS by going to LED with no acclimation. When I upgraded my last tank to LED I set my controller to 25% and slowly ramped up 10% a week until I hit my MAX of 80%. I've yet to need to go any higher and on this set-up I lost NO coral during the transition.

Also as mentioned above I would guess you're missing some very key aspects of the required light with your current set-up. Take a note from the big hitters in the LED scene where they are using a lot more than just blues & whites in their fixtures. These companies have spent BIG money on R&D to ensure they have ALL of the required light needed for coral health and aesthetics. Here's an example of one of the Big Guns LED fixtures:

GHL Mitras LED:
72LED with HV-option high power LEDs generate an excellent light performance.
We use selected LEDs from Cree and Osram of the newest generation:

12 - Cree XP-E blue
12 - Cree XT-E cool white
12 - Cree XT-E royal blue
6 - Cree XT-E neutral white
6 - Osram Oslon SSL true green
6 - Osram Oslon SSL yellow
6 - Osram Oslon SSL red
6 - Osram Oslon SSL hyperred
6 - hyper violet 425 nm (with HV-Option)

 

[zachts]

Take a note from the big hitters in the LED scene where they are using a lot more than just blues & whites in their fixtures. These companies have spent BIG money on R&D to ensure they have ALL of the required light needed for coral health and aesthetics:

I think you meant to say they spend little or no money on R&D and just read these forums and do what us DIYers are doing a year or so after we figure out what works.............

 

[BigAl2007]

I think you meant to say they spend little or no money on R&D and just read these forums and do what us DIYers are doing a year or so after we figure out what works.............

No with all due respect I said EXACTLY what I meant to say and I know first hand they do extensive R&D. You really think they would put the reputation of their entire company on anecdotal results from us?

I'm not saying they don't read the forums and such but there is a BIG difference between technical R&D and seeing what works from the forums. Big difference indeed.

 

[LesMelling]

I think you meant to say they spend little or no money on R&D and just read these forums and do what us DIYers are doing a year or so after we figure out what works.............

I agree esp when we hear of parts melting and other failures it makes you wonder how long some are tested for before unleashing upon the reefkeeping fraternity.