LED lightings ?
- Thread starter cyro
- Start date
I was about ready to shoot it down because it was my misconception that LED doesn't yet have the intensity to be effective, but I found otherwise.
Check out this read... http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/8/review2
EDIT: Wow. Found $2800 for a 48” fixture. I think I’ll stick with the tried and true MH system at like 20% of the initial cost. :lol:
Check out this read... http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/8/review2
EDIT: Wow. Found $2800 for a 48” fixture. I think I’ll stick with the tried and true MH system at like 20% of the initial cost. :lol:
I've been running the LED lights on my tank for about a year now and have no complaints.
The power consumption of a 400W LED light versus a 400W MH is the SAME. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, 400W is 400W.
The place where you save money is in the need for a chiller, the added cost of AC because of the heat given off my the MH and the MH bulb replacement.
If you have a MH setup with a chiller, then the LED lights are bigger bullet to swallow than if you're starting from scratch. If you calculate the cost of the LED fixture versus the cost of a MH fixture, a chiller and bulb replacment every 6 months for the same span of time as the LED life expectancy, you're going to come out cheaper with the LED. That also doesn't take into consideration the cost of electricity for the chiller and AC.
I went from 3-250W MH and a chiller to one LED fixture with a 250W equivalent output, and couldn't be happier.
The power consumption of a 400W LED light versus a 400W MH is the SAME. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, 400W is 400W.
The place where you save money is in the need for a chiller, the added cost of AC because of the heat given off my the MH and the MH bulb replacement.
If you have a MH setup with a chiller, then the LED lights are bigger bullet to swallow than if you're starting from scratch. If you calculate the cost of the LED fixture versus the cost of a MH fixture, a chiller and bulb replacment every 6 months for the same span of time as the LED life expectancy, you're going to come out cheaper with the LED. That also doesn't take into consideration the cost of electricity for the chiller and AC.
I went from 3-250W MH and a chiller to one LED fixture with a 250W equivalent output, and couldn't be happier.
MH replacement every 6 months? Thought it was generally twice that @ every 12. Plus a chiller isn't necessarily required for MH unless you live in a hot area(which admitedly, you do)... in PA summers I could just get by with an open top and a fan. The AC arguement doesn't hold up because while MH may cause a bit more use of A/C in the summer, it will also cause a bit less in home heating costs in the winter. :wink: Also, it should be noted that while LED's light up and don't completely burn out for many years, they still dim and lose intensity continuously as they age.Razor":2koz87ea said:
Not trying to shoot you down because LED's certainly do have some of the benefits that you listed, but there are still Pros/Cons to each to consider.
I agree with you that there are pros and cons to every system out there.
Some people swear by the replacement of MH bulbs every 6 months, but ask ten people you'll get 10 answers.
I'm in South Florida, where it's always hot. There was never a time when my chiller wasn't running and therefore it only made sense.
I had the perfect storm before I bought my LED lights. I had a MH bulb go out, a different MH ballast go out and my chiller died. I figured I was going to have to buy three new bulbs, no point replacing just one, a new ballast and a chiller. I had also just recieved a $400 power bill, right in the middle of summer.
After researching the LED lights and doing some energy calculations, it was the right thing for me to do.
I will say that I bought one of the first versions of these lights and they have become much better over time. I have had a couple issues with power supplies going out, but PFO's customer service has been terrific.
I won't spend your money for you but I'll tell you that I was very happy with my decision.
Some people swear by the replacement of MH bulbs every 6 months, but ask ten people you'll get 10 answers.
I'm in South Florida, where it's always hot. There was never a time when my chiller wasn't running and therefore it only made sense.
I had the perfect storm before I bought my LED lights. I had a MH bulb go out, a different MH ballast go out and my chiller died. I figured I was going to have to buy three new bulbs, no point replacing just one, a new ballast and a chiller. I had also just recieved a $400 power bill, right in the middle of summer.
After researching the LED lights and doing some energy calculations, it was the right thing for me to do.
I will say that I bought one of the first versions of these lights and they have become much better over time. I have had a couple issues with power supplies going out, but PFO's customer service has been terrific.
I won't spend your money for you but I'll tell you that I was very happy with my decision.
Yeah those are all good points, especially the last one you made… While the investment doesn’t make much sense for my application, for yours it’s kind of a perfect solution to those concerns you raised. 
I’m definitely a fan of LED, so I’m interested in seeing how this type of setup is accepted for reef lighting in the coming years. Naturally you have to take sales pitches from Solaris reps with a grain of salt, but the unbiased AA article I posted above is actually more promising than I thought it’d be.
I’m definitely a fan of LED, so I’m interested in seeing how this type of setup is accepted for reef lighting in the coming years. Naturally you have to take sales pitches from Solaris reps with a grain of salt, but the unbiased AA article I posted above is actually more promising than I thought it’d be.
saltysupply
Reefer
- Location
- Orlando Florida
they really aren't affordable for most people yet, I prefer metal halides till then
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