Does anyone know wether or not LED's loose their intensity as time goes on? Meaning that PAR is reduced? I thought LEDS intensity were consistant through out their life especially having 60,000 hours of usage. If anyone can chime in or lead me to a link or give me an answer I'd appreciate it. Thanks
Who can answer this question on LED's
- Thread starter fragarack
- Start date
not sure tbh, they havent been out long enough really, the manuactures of some claim they can last without performance drop for 10 years in some cases, well household anyhow, not really sure if they are constantly the same in par levels for the whole time, as for aquarium lighting, have they been tested enough yet for an answer to that, i just dont know really
bklynreefdude
New member
Solaris claimed they would lose 30% after ten years (50,000 hrs) but they are gone and no one has had the fixture for that long. I would assume that different generations and different makes of LEDs would have different lifespans as well so it's a tricky question but the simple answer would be Yes.
Well, I have one of those clocks next to my bed that has an LED that projects the time up on the ceiling. This is my second one in 3 or 4 years, I had to replace the first one after about 2 years because the LED got so Dim you couldn’t see it on the ceiling anymore. And now that I have had my second one for a couple of years it is getting less bright as well. I realize not the same thing, but maybe relevant???
125G Reefer
New member
Hit the nail on the head. Just like everything else, they lose their intensity over time, you have to keep an eye on them just like a regular light bulb or halide. At an everyday rate, I would change em out once a year. I work with them on a daily basis, and can see the difference.
Thats the thing. Their not priced to just replace in a year otherwise you loose out. I calculated that to pay for itself you would have to have it for 2 years to break even. This product I'm talking about was at the Max convention in SoCal last weekend. Can anyone give an article or link to vouch for this reduction in intensity due to the wear and tear? Thanks again for everyone that chimed in.
Harbor_jer
New member
I have 5 Solaris over 2 tanks and they have been up there for 2 year next month. I have not noticed any major par lose on either tank. I also have burned a few SPS taking them from a T5 system to the LED's. So I think its just going to be an over time thing to see what happens. They have not been out that long and the manufactures have been changing the types of LED's they use. So its not quite an stable thing. That to it also deals with how they get rid of the heat produced but the LED that is a major killer of them as well.
But that is just my 2 cents...
But that is just my 2 cents...
I would be very hesitant to spend major $$$$ on an LED system right now.
First, PFO just got shut down for apparent patent violation. Will Orbitec be leaning on other companies out there - unsure.
Second, LEDs are still very, very expensive compared to other lighting options.
Third, and most importantly, there is BETTER lighting out there for much less money.
Just go with MH + VHO and you will have the best lighting around.
Halide - best light for coral growth (especially SPS), best shimmer effect) + VHO (best actinic bulb on the market for drawing color from your inhabitants - better than T5 actinics, better than PC actinics)
Save yourself a few thousand dollars and go with a system that combines Halides with VHOs.
First, PFO just got shut down for apparent patent violation. Will Orbitec be leaning on other companies out there - unsure.
Second, LEDs are still very, very expensive compared to other lighting options.
Third, and most importantly, there is BETTER lighting out there for much less money.
Just go with MH + VHO and you will have the best lighting around.
Halide - best light for coral growth (especially SPS), best shimmer effect) + VHO (best actinic bulb on the market for drawing color from your inhabitants - better than T5 actinics, better than PC actinics)
Save yourself a few thousand dollars and go with a system that combines Halides with VHOs.
sonnus
Member
Philips, the company that produces the Lumiled K2 LEDs in the Solaris gives a lifespan of 50,000 hours to 70 % lumen output. So after 13.5 years at 10 hours a day the LED still produces 70 % of its original output. In comparison, most MH lamps are at 70 % in just 6-12 months. Of course to get the lifespan quoted by Philips the LED die temperature has to be kept within an acceptable range and the LED cannot be overdriven.
As far as the change in output, LEDs decrease progressively through thier lifespan, like most other light sources.
As far as the change in output, LEDs decrease progressively through thier lifespan, like most other light sources.
I understand your logic as far as better lighting. I run 3 lumens with 250 radiums and vho's as supplementation on a 250 gallon tank. Have you seen the bill for running such lighting? Thats why I was looking into LED's and found out that as time goes on PAR can be compensated. But to cover a 6 foot tank it turns out to be only 160 watts for 8 bulbs of LEDS compared to 1070 watts. BIG diffrence. But spending $1600+ on LEDS to last 1 year doesn't even breakeven as far as money spent.
