show me a large tnak theard that used LEDS
- Thread starter shaneh
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WestTexasReefer
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I don't have a build thread either but have had the AI lights on my 300 gallon 10 foot tank for about 3 years now. I started with the original version which was in my case 2-5 foot long fixtures. I have upgraded to the rail version last year and like it much better. I haven't yet upgraded to the newest version but may some time down the road. I have had the same LED's on my fixture for 3 years with no problems. In my opinion they are great lights, well made, adjustable, put zero heat in the tank. My tank is mainly lps and softies but my corals are thriving and growing like crazy. Can't imagine using any other light.
Not mine & no pics; two SPS dominated tanks locally 180G & 120G display exclusively from day1 had AI Led fixtures with awesome growth. However both were taken down in around a years time. Theres a current 300G localy that has LEDs with T5 supplements (front to back factor I guess)...So Leds do work on large tanks if you have the cash. not sure about longevity tho.
that's what i am concerned about too...you can spnd the 3k on the fixture and get the growth for a while and save on PGE and heat...but you have to keep that light a long time and nothing can go wrong with it to get ahead with spending $. Otherwise you are better going traditional MH, T5, VHO. I want to do the LED thiing it's jus alot inital to thorw into the tank...LEDs keep getting better quick....so i may just have to wait. I hav ea 180 bow that is 30.5 deep.
Just like anything else LEDs could & usually go bad. Not a big deal if it was as simple as swapping a bulb. From what I understand this is not the case, the module needs to be sent in to be fixed. for the cost of the repair one could replace their MH or T5 bulbs for one year atleast.
As for the brightness, the new AI with new CREE leds are supposed to be much brighter, so 30" shouldnt be an issue, Unless you plan to grow high light corals on the bottom, in which case you better buy sunglasses for the corals that will be on the top
P.S. I have seen these tanks personally & some of the things that can be done with LEDs are amazing.
As for the brightness, the new AI with new CREE leds are supposed to be much brighter, so 30" shouldnt be an issue, Unless you plan to grow high light corals on the bottom, in which case you better buy sunglasses for the corals that will be on the top
P.S. I have seen these tanks personally & some of the things that can be done with LEDs are amazing.
sfsuphysics
Active member
I've been mentally doing the thoughts on LED systems on larger tanks, and I think I've come to the conclusion that it's really only cost effective if you spot light your corals. I mean if you think about it you're spending quite a bit of energy just to light the bottom of the tank...
Unfortunately quite a few of those LED fixtures also shoot for that exact same thing, where they try to light everything, even all the space which really doesn't need any light.
Unfortunately quite a few of those LED fixtures also shoot for that exact same thing, where they try to light everything, even all the space which really doesn't need any light.
if you think covering the whole tank with Led is a bad way to go, just use Evilc66's PAR38 spotlights and your problem is solved, though for a big tank it won't be cheap but then again even a DIY setup on a large tank still isn't cheap
i will be using only PAR38's over my 200g DD when it gets up and running, but i'm 2 months away from getting my lighting setup over my tank, but i will have a ton of pics after i do
i've only seen a few big tanks with Leds over them, the color and growth are there from what i've seen, the only thing that isn't proven is how long the leds will last, but then again since noone has run any single Led fixture for 8-10 years straight it's also going to be hard to get that answer until a decade from now, lol
All the pics i've seen for leds are promising though and i definatly see our hobby heading in that direction
i will be using only PAR38's over my 200g DD when it gets up and running, but i'm 2 months away from getting my lighting setup over my tank, but i will have a ton of pics after i do
i've only seen a few big tanks with Leds over them, the color and growth are there from what i've seen, the only thing that isn't proven is how long the leds will last, but then again since noone has run any single Led fixture for 8-10 years straight it's also going to be hard to get that answer until a decade from now, lol
All the pics i've seen for leds are promising though and i definatly see our hobby heading in that direction
Carlos Arouche
New member
I have a large tank with MH (400Gal) and a small one (50Gal) with LEDs...
Both are conected to the same sump and i´m comparing Corals growths in the different tanks.
At this moment (5 months) Noticeably LPSs and Softies grow better in LED, and some SPSs too. But there is no loose of SPS or growth decrease... in some cases just the color is not quite the same.
My MH is Ushio 250W 14000K and the LED is the 90W Solarreef (Chinese).
Best regards.
Both are conected to the same sump and i´m comparing Corals growths in the different tanks.
At this moment (5 months) Noticeably LPSs and Softies grow better in LED, and some SPSs too. But there is no loose of SPS or growth decrease... in some cases just the color is not quite the same.
My MH is Ushio 250W 14000K and the LED is the 90W Solarreef (Chinese).
Best regards.
jjk_reef00
New member
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