Tanks with LEDs...

[aquaman67]

I just put LEDs on my tank but don't have a pic yet.

All these tanks are great but some of these tanks are awesome, you know who you are.

 

[Roblox84]

Duerkey, I too was skeptical until I saw a DIY fixture on a smaller tank. The intensity of the light, the look and penetration was rather impressive. Thereafter I started to take LED's a little more seriously.

I would still love to follow a thread, where a reefer has been using LED's for quite some time & has some extensive before & after pics of SPS growth & clam support.

I am questioning the following though:
-LED's reducing algae growth. Sounds like a portion of the spectrum might be missing or too low. Corals would instinctively respond to this by extending themselves as much as they possibly can, in order to increase surface area and extract as much as possible. Coral extension might be misinterpreted as rapid growth.

This is something that I have observed with PC lights as well over the years. Acclimate the same corals to T5 lights & the corals don't extend as much, since there is no need to. Giving one the impression that T5's are not as affective. One would get more algae growth with the T5's as well, proof of their effectiveness.

Well thats my dilemma right now with leds. People saying that their polyps are extending more with leds makes me very wary because that could be a sign of improper lighting. The polyps extend over several months and then a year later the corals may die. I would like to switch over to leds but I can't help but think what if this is just going to be the next product battle just like the one between hd dvd and bluray. And just as I purchase my leds they become obsolete and everyone switches to halides.

 

[phurst]

There really isn't any debate about LEDs providing enough light. Good quality LEDs in sufficient quantities will grow anything you want. There are crappy LEDs out there, and crappy fixtures as well and those might not provide satisfactory results, but there's no question about the intensity and spectrum to grow corals.

 

[cale262]

Tank is now 4 months old, no problem growing anything with the LED's...

 

[Tron_954]

My mini reef AIO with ai sol blue

 

[Higgy2010]

My 90G tank with 5 PAR38 bulbs

 

[clayspst]

my 180

 

[Reefahholic]

Very nice tanks guys! I'm still trying to figure out if I want to go with the AI sol blues or the normal whiter AI's.

 

[Tron_954]

Blues for sure....u can always tweak it, the white is very yellow. LFS has one and it's very very very 10k ish...

 

[Reefahholic]

Ok..sounds good! How do you tweak em. Add a white led strip or something?

 

[Typlus5]

Why not...DIY fixture on my 5'x2'x2' 156 gallon Oceanic. Running for 3 months, I love the results in reduced heat, reduced energy consumption, color flexibility, etc...

 

[mavjoy]

^^^ Awesome set up and those leds really put out some nice colors in the 2nd pic. Great job!

 

[Devaji108]

wow I have been thinking alot about LED...do you folks think 2 AL sol blue will light a 75 48"x 18 evenly if mounted 8" to12" above the tank? It will be a softie nem and maybe a clam tank?

 

[pendraig]

Mav, you've probably seen this on my thread, but I thought I would post it to your LED thread for all those interested in AI or PAR38 LEDs.

AI Sol Blue - White 65%, Blue 60%, Royal Blue 75% - 14 inches from stock lenses to water surface

PAR38 (l to r) - Evilc66/Nanocustoms 15w, 12K; Sunbrite 12w, 440nm; Sunbrite 15w, 10K; Sunbrite 12w, 470nm; and Evilc66/Nanocustoms 15w, 12K - 12 inches from lenses to water surface

 

[pendraig]

wow I have been thinking alot about LED...do you folks think 2 AL sol blue will light a 75 48"x 18 evenly if mounted 8" to12" above the tank? It will be a softie nem and maybe a clam tank?

I use one AI at 14" from the water on my Elos 70 (29.5" x 22.4"), and the visual spread is adequate. I think 2 AIs mounted lengthwise will give you decent spread. However, the par spread is a lot narrower than with halides. Thus, you should place light loving livestock (e.g.: clams) directly underneath the AI. I can keep acros on the edges of mine because I also have PAR38 spots for those.

 

[mavjoy]

^^^what he said...the more the merrier! I need to post some new pics here...top down pics coming up soon.

 

[mavjoy]

Here are some pics...

 

[Tron87]

rad look at night dude, I like it.

 

[mistaflicksta]

 

[brob22]

diy fixture, 6 month tank started from frags

butiful tankl!

can i askwhat skimmer ur running on it