Man did I screw up

[bucksfan1976]

I had 2 175 halides that were perfect for my 65 gallon, however we all know they take a toll on the electric bill plus i had a dual output ballast so it was huge so i got me some LED lights PAR38s, mine has 12 3 watt leds in them so after researching i thought great they will put out plenty of light for me ....Well they put out a TON of light and its even cooler because they have remotes. Well what they dont bother to tell you is that they need to hang at least a foot above the tank, I have a canopy so I couldnt get them that far above the tank. Now I have $400 spotlights, thank god I have a 175 watt halide laying around so i put it in to get me buy however now im stuck with these.... Heres hoping for Craigslist

 

[reefermad619]

Easy fix. Make a new canopy. It's worth it in the long run to keep the LEDs. 350watts Vs 72watts. A canopy is not as hard as it seems. You don't even need a saw. Have the wood cut at HD/Lowes and screw it together at home. I made a pretty simple canopy for my set-up. Check my build thread. Either way, GL to you.

 

[chadfarmer]

what bulbs? maybe swap some out

 

[chuckreef]

Why can't we you use MH reflector pendants and just aim the LEDs upward so they reflect back down off the pendants evenly?
Before the fancy pendants some of us used to use white aluminum to diffuse MHs across the tank. A 3' or 4' white aluminum reflector should be less than 40$ and can be cut to fit easily.

 

[James77]

It's worth it in the long run to keep the LEDs. 350watts Vs 72watts.

At 8 hours a day, the LEDs would save me $8 per month, which would mean over 4 years to get payback electric wise. Add into that that the 175w bulbs in a larger reflector would cover far more area.

Not picking on your post, jsut posting the other side .

 

[imolaragazzo]

At 8 hours a day, the LEDs would save me $8 per month, which would mean over 4 years to get payback electric wise. Add into that that the 175w bulbs in a larger reflector would cover far more area.

Not picking on your post, jsut posting the other side .

You didn't factor in the cost of also having to spend 50+ on one bulb for each year. So after the four years you've already saved 200 on bulbs plus another 384 for electricity. If you ask me it's definitely worth spending a few bucks on wood to make a new canopy, especially if he already has the leds.

Another idea, why not make a nice slim holder for the led bulb? I think that would like nice and slick then instead of having a big canopy. You can use track lighting, that would look nice.

 

[James77]

You didn't factor in the cost of also having to spend 50+ on one bulb for each year. So after the four years you've already saved 200 on bulbs plus another 384 for electricity. If you ask me it's definitely worth spending a few bucks on wood to make a new canopy, especially if he already has the leds.

Another idea, why not make a nice slim holder for the led bulb? I think that would like nice and slick then instead of having a big canopy. You can use track lighting, that would look nice.

Assuming the LEDs last that long and something newer and better doesn't come along that is purchased. We are talking trivial amounts of money considering the cost of this hobby. 50 or 100 per year in bulbs is pennies considering the cost of coral, tanks, and any other are of our lives.

 

[btingle85]

Great color! I would go with the new canopy option...thus keeping you from having to put a MH back up

 

[reefermad619]

At 8 hours a day, the LEDs would save me $8 per month, which would mean over 4 years to get payback electric wise. Add into that that the 175w bulbs in a larger reflector would cover far more area.

Not picking on your post, jsut posting the other side .

Good point. For me it would be worth it. That difference would cost me between $16 (summer months)-$30 (winter time & Xmas lights).

 

[fishgate]

I could build a new canopy including paint in about 3 hours. What's the problem? get to work on it! If you are close to me (MD), I'll build it for you. :0

 

[Steved13]

Just spit balling a little...How about cutting a hole in the top of the canopy and moving the LEDs above the canopy, and building a small box to hide them? Looks like that would get them 4"-5" higher.

When weighing the advantages...don't forget about less heat.

 

[DownwardDawg]

Assuming the LEDs last that long and something newer and better doesn't come along that is purchased. We are talking trivial amounts of money considering the cost of this hobby. 50 or 100 per year in bulbs is pennies considering the cost of coral, tanks, and any other are of our lives.

This is so true. I did the math and showed my wife how much I could save by using 175 watt halides v 250 watts and also using T5 actinics instead of VHO's. She laughed.

 

[perpetual98]

Get rid of the canopy altogether (or take to top off of it) and hang the LEDs in some nice looking pendants from the ceiling or a wall bracket.

 

[TundraGuy]

Why not just take the top off the Canopy and mount the lights higher? I never close the top of my reefs my wife loves the light show above the tank on the wall and ceiling. Adds that touch of *sings* "I'm on a BOAT! Don't you ever forget I'M ON A BOAT MOTHER........."

 

[bucksfan1976]

I'm just going to sell them. I ended up getting a deal off CL for this light

http://aquaticlife.com/products/59

So I didnt have to alter canopy or all I have received a couple of PM's about these lights but it wont let me reply so im emailing everyone or you can email me bucksfan1976@ymail.com

 

[reefermad619]

Glad things worked out for you.

 

[RubberFrog]

What do you do if you decide you want a different spectrum of led light? I guess you're out of luck on the $50 bulb swap. Just sayin....

 

[level65druid]

At 8 hours a day, the LEDs would save me $8 per month, which would mean over 4 years to get payback electric wise. Add into that that the 175w bulbs in a larger reflector would cover far more area.

Not picking on your post, jsut posting the other side .

^^ + 100.
The only guaranteed savings you will see in this hobby is upfront savings. If your for led technology and want to switch that's fine, but if your switching because of electricity savings there are far better areas in this hobby to save upfront guaranteed. I never understood all the penny pinching for over couple dollars a month when people are buying $1300 skimmers when that $500 skimmer would of done the job just as effectively.