My conversion; MhD to LEDs

[Deleted member 143833]

Ken, that's a huge savings! What were you runnign for MH before (number and wattage) compared to now? How expensive is the upgrade?

Before I was running a 72" fixture with 4 ea 96 CP and 3 ea 250 MhD. I converted to an AI LED unit for a bit over $3000. The 1st full month electrical bill was down $60.

As for the cost; yes $3000 is a lot but when I calculated in the cost of bulb changes + electrical savings I came out with a payback of between 2-3 years. Offsetting the sale of the old light unit and payback is slightly better.

I was quite impressed with the LED unit so far; the sunrise is very gentle to the tank (vs CPs on 2st and MhDs to follow). Most interesting I found that the PAR from the LEDs was 3x that of the old light unit (I was running XM 14.5K and full actinic PCs). Par on the old unit underwater was about 300; the same point using the LEDs at 100% was 1100; needless to say I was glad to have a PAR meter; it may have saved me from making the common mistake of going too bright and burning my SPS. I am happy to say I have no burning and colors and PE is as good or better than before.

ALl in all I think this is a good investment...

 

[ciphros]

How big is the LED set-up? Are you running multiple panels? Are you able to control the dimming capabilities with the APEX?

Also, where'd you get your par meter that reads underwater?

 

[Deleted member 143833]

I'll send specific on the meter when I get home but answering the other questions...

I am running an AquaIlluminations 72" SuperBlue (6 panels) and I've been using the VDM to control brightness and have introduced some weather effects that I think may be beneficial to the tank. I'm not doing lightning but I couple weeks ago I posted a video (link on my website) to demonstrate what the VDM can do and you can see the video and check out the effects ability.

 

[ciphros]

I'll send specific on the meter when I get home but answering the other questions...

I am running an AquaIlluminations 72" SuperBlue (6 panels) and I've been using the VDM to control brightness and have introduced some weather effects that I think may be beneficial to the tank. I'm not doing lightning but I couple weeks ago I posted a video (link on my website) to demonstrate what the VDM can do and you can see the video and check out the effects ability.

Very cool. Any idea what your color spectrum is with the SuperBlue? is it close to 12000k MH bulbs? I'll have to take a look at your video for the VDM, sounds interesting. May get me to upgrade to an APEX at some point sooner than originally planned...

 

[Deleted member 143833]

The meter I am using is from Apogee; model QMSW-SS

http://www.appogeeinstruments.com

I can get out my spectrum device and send you real values but you can see what the vendor says about the units at their website (below); from the graph I'd say they are very close in peak wavelength (supported by the PAR readings).

http://www.aquaillumination.com/sol/performance.html

 

[ciphros]

Thanks for the info. I'll check out that meter. Already been looking at the website. Can you do the color control to make them function as moon light as well as daylight uisng the VDM? I was reading about that on their site, but didn't see if you had to have their controler to do it or if you can do it through the APEX

 

[Deleted member 143833]

Thanks for the info. I'll check out that meter. Already been looking at the website. Can you do the color control to make them function as moon light as well as daylight uisng the VDM? I was reading about that on their site, but didn't see if you had to have their controler to do it or if you can do it through the APEX

Yes, the VDM support using the LEDs Blues for moon including moon cycle (new to full and back).