LEDs?

[copycon]

I was curious to know if anyone local has experimented with LEDs? If so, what has been your experience (positive or negative)?

I've been browsing through quite a few of the threads in the DIY forums as well as other sites and it's peaked my interest for a new 155 gallon tank (6x2x2) that I am building.

I was originally going to go with a T5 fixture application, but the more I read about an LED configuration the more appealing it sounds...

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[AHDOnline]

So far the cost vs return is not in line with what i need. I priced out a cost of 2400$ to fit my 210 with only LED's so therefore cannot justify the switch.

I do know a few people (not local) using LED only systems and so far it works well for them. Heat is at a all time low, electric is cut in half compared to MH / T5 Systems. If you are willing to put up the money I think its a good alternative, but I myself will wait another 6 months to a year to see how much pricing drops.

I am looking at getting a demo unit in and will measure par in comparison but my understanding you wont lose much.

 

[copycon]

Hmm... that's interesting. Is your comment specific to commercial fixtures by chance?

I was aware that the commercial LED fixtures were quite a bit pricier than DIY, but from what I have seen, a comparable DIY LED system seems to be much more affordable. Especially if a group buy is taken advantage of at the right price...

For example, these prices were taken from a recent group buy:

Cree XP-G R5 Bin - $6.29
Cree XR-E Q5 Cool Whites - $4.98
Cree XR-E Royal Blue - $5.04

Here are the rough numbers I put together for a similar project using 96 Cree LEDs (generous):

LEDs: $543.84 (48 x XP-G, 48 x XR-E RB)
Optics: $120 (96 x 60 degree)
Drivers: $304.00 (8 x Mean Well ELN-60-48P)

Misc costs: $300 (shipping, aluminum, wire, solder, flux, screws, washers, thermal paste etc.)

Total: $1267.84

Give or take, it seems to work out to be near the same cost as a high-end T5 fixture w/ bulbs (unless I am making an error somewhere).

 

[cloakerpoked]

Kevin (Drone) on here used a DIY LED fixture. I think it is only over half his tank. He brought it to the meeting one time...super bright. It was one with a bunch of 3w bulbs, not one of the ones with the heatsinks, etc.

 

[Drone]

Yep, I did. And I just got two 160w Maxspects for the tank. the DIY fixture will go on my kicker tank.

Kevin

 

[cloakerpoked]

Yep, I did. And I just got two 160w Maxspects for the tank. the DIY fixture will go on my kicker tank.

Kevin

Told ya!:spin1:

 

[brettnleslie]

Has anyone tried the retrofit T5 bulbs with LEDs in them yet?

I have several T5 fixtures I probably won't replace but was thinking about supplimenting some of them with these T5 retrofit bulbs.

Brett