PAR 38 LED bulbs
- Thread starter zygote2k
- Start date
Squidhead9
New member
Nice
Where did you get the lights?
Where did you get the lights?
lovetoreef
New member
if you could post some more pictures of the mounting - thanks.
lovetoreef
New member
very nice - could you shoot a picture of the socket you used?
zygote2k
Nuisance Algae
My thoughts about replacing a 400w mh with 3) PAR38's is that I really need to add a 4th bulb. The shimmering effect is much stronger than halides though. The overall look is different too. We are all used to seeing a brightly lit aquarium with light spilling out of the sides and top with very little shadows.
The LED's target illuminate smaller areas in the center of the tank. It looks like you're looking through black shadows to see a brightly lit area. It reminds me of diving at about 15 feet. The fish look more realistic and the actinic "pop" is present but without the harshness of actinic light.
Not having to change bulbs in 10 years- priceless. Well, not actually priceless. It would have cost me at least $300 for 10 years worth of 400w halide bulbs.
The LED's target illuminate smaller areas in the center of the tank. It looks like you're looking through black shadows to see a brightly lit area. It reminds me of diving at about 15 feet. The fish look more realistic and the actinic "pop" is present but without the harshness of actinic light.
Not having to change bulbs in 10 years- priceless. Well, not actually priceless. It would have cost me at least $300 for 10 years worth of 400w halide bulbs.
zygote2k
Nuisance Algae
My point and shoot makes it seem a lot dimmer than it really is. Since there is no light around the edges, it makes the tank seem dim. In the center where the lights shine, it is extremely bright. There are enough shimmering lights around the fringes to find their way towards the bottom and light it well enough for softies.
The sockets are regular Home Depot ceramic sockets.
The sockets are regular Home Depot ceramic sockets.
thanks for all the info man
I'm trying to gauge how well these would work over my 200g DD tank which is 27 inches tall, i would be going with the 12k PAR38's with 40 optics but would have 6 bulbs over each side of the 200g DD total of 12, so i'm trying to gauge how lit/dim the tank would look before i take the plunge
think you could take a few more pics and adjust the white balance to see if you can get rid of the dim look?
I'm trying to gauge how well these would work over my 200g DD tank which is 27 inches tall, i would be going with the 12k PAR38's with 40 optics but would have 6 bulbs over each side of the 200g DD total of 12, so i'm trying to gauge how lit/dim the tank would look before i take the plunge
think you could take a few more pics and adjust the white balance to see if you can get rid of the dim look?
ddcengineering
New member
I have been looking at LED lighting systems, some such as Sunbright LED have been having problems with keeping the intensity and brightness after only a few months,
for example the Sunbright LED system some people have seen a drop of 50% or more in their lighting intensity after 3 months, and some bulbs just burnt out.
have you seen or heard of this happening with these bulbs?
for example the Sunbright LED system some people have seen a drop of 50% or more in their lighting intensity after 3 months, and some bulbs just burnt out.
have you seen or heard of this happening with these bulbs?
Mustang Boy
New member
evilc66 who has replied a few times to this thread is the mastermind behind these bulbs and i know for a fact he would only use the best of the best for any product he advertises. i also know he has been using these over a couple of his own personal tanks for awhile. the only problem i see ever happening with these bulbs is maybe a rare manufacturer defect but as of now i have never seen any kind of problem with these bulbs and i dont expect to see any. they use cree LEDs which have a great track record so far.
ddcengineering
New member
Awsome! i will have to look into those aswell, i was going to jump on these Sunbright LED's but after i heard of how they can fail, or loose their power i almost lost hope in LED.
How awsome are LED's if they provide the LUMS and PAR we need for our aquariums, while not using very much energy, and have the ability to contol their brightness its every mans dream.
How awsome are LED's if they provide the LUMS and PAR we need for our aquariums, while not using very much energy, and have the ability to contol their brightness its every mans dream.
ddcengineering
New member
solos2, i see that you are using led lighting on your profile pic, what type of set up is that?
