lighting, solaris LED Vs MH

[drudude]

im starting a 180 gallon tank and was going to use 3 X 250 MH.
the problem is the cost of eletricty here is .25 kwh. someone i was talking to was saying to get solaris Led. they are more expensive up front... (like way more expensive) but will save in the liong run. does anyone know about these lights. this is the web page i found on it.

http://www.solarisled.com/Products/tabid/56/Default.aspx

 

[reefnetworth]

my LFS has the 48" above a 5'X3'X24" frag tank. IMO, it was not as bright as the 14K pendants they had. and the corals colors didnt seem to be as vibrant either. it was about 3' from the water surface (about the same as the pendants hang). i havnt asked about the Kelvin on them, but they arent 20K. they are pricey though! i think ill stay with my MH's have a nice night!
JDM

 

[Fishdude1984]

there is an on going long thread here

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=876845&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

it was split, so hear is the second half

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1080494

hope this helps -matt

 

[bstreep]

Read the thread above. But, I can tell you right away, at $0.25 a kwh (we pay less than $0.06), you'll easily pay this back quickly, if you currenty have or will have 400w MH. If you tank is more than 24", I'd definately go with the 400w.

BTW, they have a new competitor: www.aquaillumination.com

 

[jtarmitage]

Check out this cost comparison calculator:
http://www.solarisled.com/FAQTechnical/SolarisCostSavings/tabid/65/Default.aspx

Definitely more expensive up front, but, especiially in your case, it will make up for it in a matter of a few years.

 

[hahnmeister]

You are in Bermuda? Skylights baby... kiss electricity goodbye. Even just sola-tubes would be plenty considering your location.

 

[mr evolution]

Invest in Solar Panels and wind generators that should recover your cost or you can get fiber optic lighting that takes the outside source and brings it where ever you need it. It is pretty new technology, but nothing beats a skylight with the Bahama sun.

 

[sneeyatch]

bermuda isn't located near the bahamas

 

[RichConley]

Guys, the solaris calculators and such are all crap. They make the assumption that the Solaris puts out light similar to a 250w MH. Thats completely not true.

They put out about 80% of the light of a 250w XM20K with an extra glass shield on it. Thats about 43 PPFD. A properly running Phoenix 14K is about 85 ppfd.


So, when you do your calculations out, use twice as many Solaris fixtures, because thats what you're really going to need.

 

[Joe]

Originally Posted By reefnetworth;

"my LFS has the 48" above a 5'X3'X24" frag tank".



I'm guessing that would be "Aquatic Critters"? I saw that fixture when I was there last month, and I wasn't impressed, either.
(Great store, though!!)
Joe