Ready to take the LED step... Need options

S

sharkE

New member
I have a 96" long tank. was thinking about maybe 2x36" units... would like to know what the bang for your buck and what people really seem to like as well as fixtures to stay away from.

From what I have read there isn't a lot of negative said but would like to hear some + and - about going LED...

I dont really plan on doing any ridiculous SPS but I would like something decent. Not looking to spend $700-$800 a unit as well so something to just give me what im looking for would be awesome.

Thanks for any info you can provide!!
 
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i know ill get bashed for saying it but i was looking into it and i would wait . wait till there is a tank that has been up for more than a year lit by leds. i know they are all the rage but wait till all the kinks are out. also i was reading that the leds dont give out uv light. and im sure corals need uv light im no expert but the sun gives of uv so if you want to reproduce sunlight you would need uv. there are some leds specific made to give out uv but what ratios would you need? questions you need to figure out before you go diy. i was looking at diy and it would cost a lot to build lights that would light your tank since i have the same size tank.

you can get kits here
http://www.reefecosystems.com/products/lighting/led-reef-lighting/
 
how much would it be to light our tanks keith? looks like it would cost about $650-$700 for 2 units if i went through ledwholesalers.com from what im hearing...
 
fshRfrendsNTfod said:
I did the diy setup. I love it and the colors are awesome. Lmk if u want some help building em
Click to expand...

I might be interested in that! Whats the price range to effectively light a 96" tank??

I saw this video and was sold on the spot. I really didnt want to go LED until right now. I was pretty happy with my MH... maybe wanted some T5 but now im thinking T5 and LED or just LED if that does the trick... iono

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7jlFp5O4NM
 
sharkE said:
I might be interested in that! Whats the price range to effectively light a 96" tank??

I saw this video and was sold on the spot. I really didnt want to go LED until right now. I was pretty happy with my MH... maybe wanted some T5 but now im thinking T5 and LED or just LED if that does the trick... iono

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7jlFp5O4NM
Click to expand...

i was recommended by one of the guys that pioneered doing LED reefs to do 64 LEDs over my 48" tank. this was to handle anything (clams, anemones, sps).

check these links tho:
list of LED builds
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=200335&hl=

guy who did 48 LEDs over his 48" tank
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=206246
 
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wow some of that stuff is way more high tech then whats even on the market! I dont think I will be going that rout haha
 
I have 3 sets of 12 above my 72" tank. The LEDs I have are the 3 watt crees. It ran me about $200 each one plus I had to solder them up. I would say a 4th one is needed on a 96". I know ur only right up the street from me if u wanted to come check them out and see how they light the tank up. Lmk
 
well the openings on my tank will actually limit some of my options... let me post a pic. I have insane euro bracing.

fshRfrendsNTfod I would love to stop by actually. the sooner the better especially since my car is about to go back into the shop AGAIN haha... never ending
 
here is my euro bracing... i need to choose carefully on my LED setup because having off placement will not really be efficient. It would seem that the most room I would have would be for 3 pendants or 2x36" units spaced correctly

<a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/nicenswift/?action=view&current=IMG_0671.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/nicenswift/IMG_0671.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/nicenswift/?action=view&current=IMG_0670.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/nicenswift/IMG_0670.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

7" euro bracing
<a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/nicenswift/?action=view&current=IMG_0673.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/nicenswift/IMG_0673.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
Super crapy, maybe LEDs aren't for you. LEDs need to be mounted high to spread the light out. Close to the tank doesn't work well
 
hmm... well looks like i will start with one panel. if that dont work then i guess T5 town. I can always re-sell the panel or build a cube :D
 
That's true, your pretty much going to have the same issue with t5s tothough. I think the best light choice may be halides for that tank. Try LEDs see how they look on that tank.
 
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