LED lights Pros and Cons

[bhazard451]

I don't think LEDs are the future per say. They are another excellent option in lighting for the present. There is nothing wrong with keeping MH, T5, and LED around, or using all 3 at once if desired. The more choices, the better.

The problem with LEDs are the myriad ways to achieve excellent (or poor) results, and the speed at which fixtures will become obsolete feature wise. AI Sols are a perfect example of "THE premium LED fixture" a few years ago, which have already been surpassed in performance by much cheaper chinese lights.

 

[LowezAkar24]

LowezAkar24

That is def something I heard from several people that the LED/T5 combo fixtures are probably the best option. I was debating between the Radion Pro and Fathom LEDs.

I was thinking of putting more SPS pieces in my tank.

Summer is coming and if its a hot one, running MH and Chiller will kill my pocket with the electric bill.

I think I might wait and see what comes out next

Thank you guys for your opinions

If you are ever in the Long Island area, you are more than welcome to stop by and check out my FATHOMLED'S. I have (2) units over my 90 gallon tank. They were installed on Nov. 7th and everything looks great. Hit me with a PM if you decide to check out my lights.

 

[LowezAkar24]

LowezAkar24

I don't think LEDs are the future per say. They are another excellent option in lighting for the present. There is nothing wrong with keeping MH, T5, and LED around, or using all 3 at once if desired. The more choices, the better.

The problem with LEDs are the myriad ways to achieve excellent (or poor) results, and the speed at which fixtures will become obsolete feature wise. AI Sols are a perfect example of "THE premium LED fixture" a few years ago, which have already been surpassed in performance by much cheaper chinese lights.

The major disadvantages of Metal Halides is the HUGE Electric Bill at the end of the month and the hideous look. LED's are capable of great results just the same. I would not say AI have been surpassed in performance by the cheaper chinese lights because many are still using them. A lot of people prefer not to or can't fit some of the more expensive LED's in their budgets so they opt out for the $250 chinese lighting. In reality, once you put sufficient lighting, do your water changes and maintain your parameters, your tank will flourish.

 

[annanymous]

So going back to the almost original question...what exactly is the benefit of 415-420nm ultraviolet spectrum? Does it promote growth, or color, or both? Or is it for something else entirely?

 

[bhazard451]

So going back to the almost original question...what exactly is the benefit of 415-420nm ultraviolet spectrum? Does it promote growth, or color, or both? Or is it for something else entirely?

Both growth and color benefit. I've seen it firsthand within the first month of using them. Lots of fixtures use them now, and better quality violets are available compared to earlier versions.

 

[Edjersey]

I use to have T5, been running my diy leds for year and 1/2 now and getting good growth, The thing about diy is I can add more when needed, I just recently added osram red/orange,and I think it's 410 violet,and cyan, here is a pic of my coral, I got this coral Dec 2012 so its been 5 months not bad, no refugium,no reactor and no dosing heck I still have bio wheels, just a skimmer and water change.

 

[Terreldactyl]

I've had good ole PC on my 40 breeder for a few years now and I am settled on a pair of kessil led pendants for my 46 bowfront once it's set up.

 

[Aquadicted]

So going back to the almost original question...what exactly is the benefit of 415-420nm ultraviolet spectrum? Does it promote growth, or color, or both? Or is it for something else entirely?

dude just like every animal, i would bet it depends on the type of coral colony some get great growth color etc some don't. No one solution to many different types of coral evolved to grow at different depths..

 

[vio]

dude just like every animal, i would bet it depends on the type of coral colony some get great growth color etc some don't. No one solution to many different types of coral evolved to grow at different depths..

+1:cheers:

 

[vramirez209]

Well definetly one pro for led is heat, and saving some cash on electricity. Also you dont have to worry about changing bulbs every several months.

vramirez209

 

[beastium]

They just need to get par reading and color kelvin ratios from the sun in a reef area and have an led fixture with all the colors of led on a timer to match..

Or make an indiana jones sun mirror system

Sent from my MB870 using Reefs

 

[jeffgreg]

My corals were doing just okay I decided to try the Pharos lights I thought the set up was a little pricey but everything in this hobby is a little pricey I also know you get what you pay for within two weeks I can definitely see the difference in my corals many things were opening up and other things are doing very well that was a year ago and then I started having problems with the lighting my housekeeper had blown a fuse and it offset the computer system The lights are staying on so I called Jimmy who tried to talk me through it but I'm really not good with computers I could not get the controller right so I called Jimmy and told Jimmy I was more than happy to pay for him to make a house call just to see if you could fix this cause I did not want to lose coral seriously Jimmy was at my house the same day within one hour he really cares about the coral I know this because when he was done working which took him at least 30 minutes I offered to pay him as I had told them I would he absolutely refused to take money for me Jimmy is a great guy works clean works neat and his lights are great
Jeff and Gregg