LEDs on large reef - I don't think so

[epicentyr]

I have a new 220 tank coming from Miracles next week. It is 54x36x25 tall. With the amount of LEDs needed for this size tank i cant imagine it being a financially viable option compared to MH with VHO or T5 supplement.

I really want to discuss options. I plan to DIY a hood either way. I think LEDs are cool but I cannot afford thousands of dollars startup costs. I have built reefs for over 10 years with MH and VHO. This is the first new tank in 4 years and, Oh how things have changed.

Derek

 

[pgr11]

I just started a new 265 gal and put up led. Spent a little over 1800 on them. I dont want to run a chiller I dont want to change out bulbs all the time so decided to spend the money. I hope it works now. I know what you mean It's a tough nut to crack and shell out the cash. Only way I did it was my tax lady got me a nice return this year. Took back the money uncle sam took from me first

 

[bullitr]

Do a DIY if you have time it's cheaper than initial cost of metal halide and reflector.



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[pgr11]

Do a DIY if you have time it's cheaper than initial cost of metal halide and reflector.



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Your DIY setup is sick

 

[007Bond]

Lets see...Rule of thumb for led lighting would be 54x36=1944/16=122-3W leds or 366W of lighting for a tank that size. You need to figure heatsinks, drivers, optics, housing,ect.
Take a look at this thread, see if it works for you. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2128756

 

[reefermad619]

Only light areas that have coral. No sence in having intense light of areas with no coral. DIYing my own led setup for my 180. Ill have 2 rock islands in the tank. Over the islands I'll have a panel that has 30 LEDs each. Then over the middle of the tank, I'll have 12 LEDs with no optics. This will be just for lighting purposes. I won't have any rock with in 6 inches of the glass so I can clean with ease. So far I've got about $550 or so in it. That's C channel for heatsinks, solder, soldering iron, tinned wire, all LEDs, optics, and drivers.

 

[007Bond]

reefermad619, sounds interesting, when will you have it up and running, will you post pics, are you concerned with the so called spot light effect? Thanks---Rick

 

[reefermad619]

Check out my build thread. Not worried at all about the spot light effect. I'm using 80 degree optics and will be hung about 9-15" above the water line.

 

[LotsaFishies]

Use 3watt LED's with 60-90 degree optics and you will get some great light penetration.

 

[dread240]

yea, I think the bigger the tank the more the LED's make sense

My current lighting on a 4' tank is 132 watts... I need to add 2 more for the new 210 gallon setup, so it'll be roughly 280 watts total draw on the lights....

otherwise I would be looking at 4 400w MH (3 minimum, it's a 7' tank) running at 1200-1600 watts, plus need a chiller on top of that. The energy savings far outweigh the higher initial investment. Plus no bulb changes, it's all wins imho

 

[Greg 45]

look into pacific sun led's
imagineaocean on this sight has them available
do a search

 

[007Bond]

Check out my build thread. Not worried at all about the spot light effect. I'm using 80 degree optics and will be hung about 9-15" above the water line.

Will you post the link to your build.---Rick

 

[gveng]

yea, I think the bigger the tank the more the LED's make sense

exactly, when you factor in bulb changes on big tanks, DIY LEDs usually pay for themselves in 2-3 years.

only problem will be heating the tank! :lolspin:

 

[Heavy Hittah]

There is a thread on here somewhere called something like "diy multichip leds". There 50w,100w,and 200w I believe. People are using these on larger tanks. They are sick if you ask me

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[007Bond]

Ck post #5 for the link.

 

[bullitr]

exactly, when you factor in bulb changes on big tanks, DIY LEDs usually pay for themselves in 2-3 years.

only problem will be heating the tank! :lolspin:

I agree heating my tank is my biggest issue.
My LEDs for my 435

 

[007Bond]

Cool lights! What led combos are you using? How many strings and drivers? Thanks---Rick

 

[reefermad619]

Will you post the link to your build.---Rick

Sent I a pm. So we don't hijack the thread anymore.

 

[Rploaded]

Im using all Leds on my build over a 10 foot tank. When you factor in the electric and the bulb replacements it's a no brainer.....

Checkout Reeftech leds - That's what I am using and they are phenomenal.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Be sure to include ongoing cost of operation and lamp replacement when you're thinking about costs. Even if a given LED rig will cost more upfront than a given rig of other technology, it will almost certainly be less expensive in the long run (assuming it was designed with efficiency in mind).

As someone mentioned above, LEDs give you huge flexibility you simply can't get on other systems. A big part of my build was choosing to only light areas with corals at a high intensity, and letting other areas receive less intensity. When you're working with individual LEDs that might cover only a few square inches each, that's easy. When you're working with MH lamps that cover a 2+ foot wide swath, it's much harder.

FWIW I have roughly 72 LEDs on my 360g reef. It's a mix but mostly Cree XP-E and XM-L. It's pulling less than 250w total. I DIY'd to a higher extent than most people do (drivers and controllers from scratch, not just assembling the rig) and I scrounged some parts for free (heatsinks) It probably cost me somewhere around $500 total. Compare that to a "cheap" MH rig for a tank this large, which might have sucked 1000+ watts, cost more upfront, used 4 - 5 times as much electricity, plus a few hundred a year in lamp costs, and caused temperature issues with the system's water.