Leds

[moonp13]

So, i was looking into getting some LED light fixtures for my 72 gallon bow front. Are these things legit? right now i have some t5's. I just have a bunch of softies right now. I was looking to try and get better growth out of my stuff. Which ones would you recommend at a decent price?

 

[chuckdallas]

Dude, I'm no expert, but I bought Compact Fluorescent bulbs in the first month before I knew what T5s were. After I realized I couldn't keep an Anemone, I bought T5s. Then, after $600 in light purchases, the wife wanted the shimmer of the LEDs and we got 2 X 60 watt pendants from www.OCReef.com. They were $260-$300 per pendant and are dimmable. I thought I had the best purchase but then went to the South Florida Frag Swap and saw some 120 watt LED pendants from www.the**********.com. The guys were right across from my booth and were showcasing the pendants I didn't buy. They have twice the power, are not dimmable but cost just about the same. I like the dimmable part of mine, but it's all manual, so what I do is have the all blue lights come on at 9 am and everyday when I come home for lunch, I turn the all blue lights to half white then when I leave to go back to work I turn all of the blue and whites on full power. At 7 pm, I turn the whites off and use all blue for 2 more hours. Some people don't need all of those options and want all white or all blue or both. Check it out. BTW, I have a LUXmeter, not a Parmeter, but I measured my LED lights versus the Local Fish Stores MHs. The LFS was getting 1000-1200 at the water line with 250W-400W MHs at 12-14 inches above the water. I was getting 1300-1500 at the surface, so the danger is burning corals. I've lost a Lobo, a Meteor Shower and almost a Wellso. I think it may be the Phosphate at 0.1 to 0.2 but all of the LPS'es were doing great with the same phos levels and with the T5 lights. My LEDs have fans, but I don't think that most LEDs need them. I highly recommend them.

 

[Reefahholic]

The hottest LED's on the market right now are AI's (Sol.) They have a big price tag, but worth every penny in my opinion. They are modular, so when technology advances, so can ur lights.

My second vote would be Pacific Sun, but they are more expensive than the AI's. Pretty cool looking though.

I was stuck on the exotic panorama LED's for a while, but not a big fan anymore. That would be my third pick though. Seen good growth w/ those too.

Good luck my friend!

 

[mjwz06]

+1 AI Sol Blues

Just took delivery of 2 for my 72g bowfront. Can't wait to set them up tonight! If you decide on the same setup, just be aware that you'll probably want to mount them 12+ inches above the water, for better coverage. From what I've read, they are PAR monsters. The biggest complaints were from people who had them turned up too high and bleached their corals.

 

[reefraider]

+1 for AI, They put out so much light you will never run them at full power. I spent the money to upgrade mine to the Sol Blue early this year. I have four on the 180 display about 9 inches above the water inside the canopy, two over the frag tank at 12 inches over the water. These are all controlled by a single AI controller. A single AI unit is on the refuge at full power that is plug directly into an power outlet Its a big $$ up front but you save it on bulbs replacements and operating costs. They lower my electricity costs by almost $100 per month. Do it and you will be pouring the calcium in to keep up with all of the growth

 

[Scottydee]

i just set up a used 220 gal that's 30" tall. I have two 250w MH lights that are loud and so hot that I don't even want to be in the same room (i live in arizona too, which doesn't help). i'm looking at light options and couldn't be more confused. the LFS has tried to push ecoxotic panoramas but I can't even determine what $2300 will get me! in your opinion, is AI the end all, make the investment and it's all you'd ever want in lighting? if so, what should i get and what should i expect to pay (72" x 24 deep x 30" tall, yet to be built reef)? thanks for your help!