what up rams

[smoothdog]

I don't think you'll be happy with the 2 10's on that tank. You'll likely be running 'em over 80% to get the flow you want which will make them very noisy. Keep in mind that whatever the max level you set them to they only run at the max speed for a portion of the time when run in any of the random modes, so you have to set them higher than you would think. The 40's can be run much slower which will reduce noise and increase the life of the bearings. I threw one of my 40s on the holding tank just to add some random flow and can run it in that 72G cube (that's only got about 55g of water in it) at 75% or more with no problem.

 

[frenchie]

gonna take pics every so often to compare growth, what i really like is the many options of colors and progamming and that it all controls itself and alot less power consumption with no heat output and more quiet since i don't have cooling fans running. I want lowest energy items this time as far as skimmer, return pump, and lighting. If I had a bigger newer house better insulated and not 100 year old house i would have one with walk out basement with 180 gallon tank with metal halides.

Hard to argue with growth metal halides are still the best, I just need to sell my little old house and get new one. Had house on market with no luck so will try to sell again next year.

 

[frenchie]

I don't think you'll be happy with the 2 10's on that tank. You'll likely be running 'em over 80% to get the flow you want which will make them very noisy. Keep in mind that whatever the max level you set them to they only run at the max speed for a portion of the time when run in any of the random modes, so you have to set them higher than you would think. The 40's can be run much slower which will reduce noise and increase the life of the bearings. I threw one of my 40s on the holding tank just to add some random flow and can run it in that 72G cube (that's only got about 55g of water in it) at 75% or more with no problem.

not sure what i'm gonna do yet, always have had problems getting flow how i want it but seems easier on cube tank than long tanks.

 

[VSpeck]

Frenchie, I am glad you are liking your shiny new LED's, but come back in a year and tell me what you think then

He will love it if he sticks to softie/zoas mine went nuts with them. I also ran skimmerless and fed more then too so that probably helped.

 

[Nanook]

I think for softies and LPS, that they are fine. For sticks, the growth just isn't close to the same. I am a big softie lover and I have contemplated going back to 400 watt bulbs just because the corals grow faster and look better with higher intensity.

 

[Nanook]

I definitely can dig the lower electricity usage, but then with my tanks being in the basement my heaters would have to run overtime just to keep my tanks at 76 degrees. There are trade-offs with all types of lighting, my point is that folks just getting LED's always talk them up about how much they love them, all the tricks they can do, etc, etc. Then, after they have used them for a while, they realize that as "lights", that they are just not all that.

 

[VSpeck]

I definitely can dig the lower electricity usage, but then with my tanks being in the basement my heaters would have to run overtime just to keep my tanks at 76 degrees. There are trade-offs with all types of lighting, my point is that folks just getting LED's always talk them up about how much they love them, all the tricks they can do, etc, etc. Then, after they have used them for a while, they realize that as "lights", that they are just not all that.

this is why i settled for mh with led supplements. If i keep led supplements i will probably implement dimming and whatnot. It is hard for me to get away from the look of led actinic color and florescence in the corals. It is awesome.

 

[VSpeck]

I think the diy leds are much further advanced than the pre made led fixtures. I think the fixtures are always a few steps behind.

 

[frenchie]

LED's do great for softies, i'm gonna have few leathers and zoanthids, shrooms, may few LPS. Of course my mini carpet nems there very colorful.

 

[rams]

I don't think you'll be happy with the 2 10's on that tank. You'll likely be running 'em over 80% to get the flow you want which will make them very noisy. Keep in mind that whatever the max level you set them to they only run at the max speed for a portion of the time when run in any of the random modes, so you have to set them higher than you would think. The 40's can be run much slower which will reduce noise and increase the life of the bearings. I threw one of my 40s on the holding tank just to add some random flow and can run it in that 72G cube (that's only got about 55g of water in it) at 75% or more with no problem.

Agreed, I have a MP10ESW on the 60 and when it ramps up 100% it sounds like a pot whistling. Tried setting up a wave and it just about drove the wife nuts. I think her exact words were "is that a frog outside? what is that noise?" MP10s are great for nanos 30g or less. Two MP10s I probably would be ok with. Still wouldn't be able to run 100%. I don't like the fact that you can't direct the flow like you can a Tunze. Frenchie for your cube MP10s wouldn't be enough unless you ran 100%. If you ran just two MP10s you would be looking to add another pump. A 6095 and either a 6055/6095 would be perfect.

 

[rams]

don't get the 10, go 40 or go Tunze. Honestly I want to run two Tunze 6095 on this cube.

I think opposite get 10s or go tunze.

I needed to be more specific. Don't get 10s get 40s or go Tunze.

 

[rams]

This is what originally sucked me into LEDs. Then I realized we spend countless bucks to make everything consistent why play with the lights all the time.

I've given you enough trouble though:lol: hopefully you like the lights. Are you stuck on radions or have you looked at any others? What model radions are you looking at.

Yes Radion... gen2 I'm not too extreme to jump to pro. I have seen great growth pics even sticks with gen1. Great par readings that no one has disputed with gen2/pro verse MH250.

Are you saying that LEDs are not consistently at PAR? or are you talking about the different modes some fixtures can run "cloud cover, ramping up/down is inconsistent and negative for your tank?

I definitely can dig the lower electricity usage, but then with my tanks being in the basement my heaters would have to run overtime just to keep my tanks at 76 degrees. There are trade-offs with all types of lighting, my point is that folks just getting LED's always talk them up about how much they love them, all the tricks they can do, etc, etc. Then, after they have used them for a while, they realize that as "lights", that they are just not all that.

It doesn't make any sense for you to switch. Maybe when they get the reputable units down in cost it would be something to contemplate. I am not saying one is hands down better than the other. Halides definitely get it done. Like I said if I wasn't doing a cube tank to where I am getting away with only needing one Radion ($$$$). I would be building a canopy right now for Halides. When I have you gents over this fall after running all summer. If the tank doesn't look spectacular I will eat crow. Cross my fingers I don't D'Smack it before then. :lol:

I think the diy leds are much further advanced than the pre made led fixtures. I think the fixtures are always a few steps behind.

Disagree... most of the popular/reputable fixtures have software that lets you run a more advanced color scheme, intensity, several more channels than just blue and white. They let you upgrade easier than ripping your diy fixture apart to fix/upgrade diodes. Warranty and customer service haven't heard complaints.

 

[VSpeck]

Are you saying that LEDs are not consistently at PAR? or are you talking about the different modes some fixtures can run "cloud cover, ramping up/down is inconsistent and negative for your tank?

No im talking about the people that want to play with cloud cover and lightning storms 5 times a day because its new and fun.



Disagree... most of the popular/reputable fixtures have software that lets you run a more advanced color scheme, intensity, several more channels than just blue and white. They let you upgrade easier than ripping your diy fixture apart to fix/upgrade diodes. Warranty and customer service haven't heard complaints.

Where did all those colors come from? Where did all the dimmming of diffrent channels come from? Diyers were doing that when fixtures were still cw/rb.

 

[frenchie]

rams you won't need a radion pro there for deep tanks like 30 inches or maybe if you was growing nothing but those colored sticks.

 

[frenchie]

velko is selling a used gen2 radion for 550.00 i think, i had to have brand new never opened.

 

[Tradewinds]

I have been running the Gen 1 Radions for a little over a year and am still happy with them, although I have never run MH, so I cannot compare the two.

The health of the tank inhabitants is of the foremost concern, but part of it for me is also to "try" and support new technology, which will hopefully help develop even better environments for the creatures we keep. If technology didn't advanced we would still be driving Model-T's. (Not that I'm comparing any other type of lights to Model-T's)

The hard part is separating the snake oil salesmen from the real deal.

 

[dbuesking]

The hard part is separating the snake oil salesmen from the real deal.

So true.:reading:

 

[VSpeck]

so what did you decide rams? buy anything yet?

 

[rams]

I am going to stick with that 150DE halide for right now. No hurry just started.

 

[Mr D smack]

I am going to stick with that 150DE halide for right now. No hurry just started.

Bump it up to the 250 :hammer: