LED Lighting

[Anonymous]

I have been using Current USA TrueLumen Pro strips over a 75g at work. I use 4x 36" strips--1x Deep Blue, 2x 12,000K and 1x 8,000K.

It is a "muck" tank with Thalassia seagrass, a Hell's Fire Anemone, mushroom and zoanthid corals, Sinularia, and Caulastrea. So far I am very happy with the coloration and health of the corals. I'm also super happy with the low profile, ease of installation, and heat output from the lamps. They are only a 1/2" thick at most and the diodes are all coated in a thin layer of a clear substance that feels like epoxy or silicone. The entire fixture seems very robust and durable for long term use in a saltwater environment.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... 1059618055

 

[Anonymous]

Looks good my man! I've been playing around with building what are essentially DIY versions of those bulbs (they look a lot less pretty, and need drivers rather than a screw in socket... but they're probably about 1/3 the cost). Kind of nice to spot light certain areas to highlight corals, and not so much worrying about the sand being brightly lit by expensive electricity.

Thanks. You'd be amazed at how there is very little spot lighting if mounted properly. Plus, the sandbed is pretty bright. I need to get a PAR meter to see what they are cranking. Even the Boost PAR30 (10 watts/5x2 watt LEDs) grow monti caps on the sandbed in the corner.

 

[Anonymous]

I am using the Aqua Illuminations SOL Blue over my 60G cube and so far they are working out great. No heat into the tank and the color customization/ramp up/down works out well.

At first the SPS were not doing much but now they are growing and the color is great. If I had a calcium reactor it would be better I think but I am using B-Ionic (when I do not forget).

 

[Anonymous]

Okay I saw some LEDs I am going to get. Kessil 350s. These things are amazing. I saw some in action at the Aquarium in knoxville. About $400 each. They use 90 watts per led. I am going to get one 350 and 2 150s for the sides. The 150s are only 32 watts per.

Justification to wife goes like this...dropping from 890 to 150 watts for the lighting, plus all the savings from the chiller, the fans, the dehumidifier, etc. Estimated savings to be around 90 per month. Okay how's my pitch? :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Okay I saw some LEDs I am going to get. Kessil 350s. These things are amazing. I saw some in action at the Aquarium in knoxville. About $400 each. They use 90 watts per led. I am going to get one 350 and 2 150s for the sides. The 150s are only 32 watts per.

Justification to wife goes like this...dropping from 890 to 150 watts for the lighting, plus all the savings from the chiller, the fans, the dehumidifier, etc. Estimated savings to be around 90 per month. Okay how's my pitch? :lol:

sounds like a good explanation - after the fact - remember its easier to ask forgiveness than permission :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

So I got em. My take, the 400 watt mh's were considerably brighter to the eye. The colors are awesome, and the corals look much better. I have been able to turn off my chiller. I did add a t5 along the front for some visibilty. Corals look happy.

 

[Anonymous]

So I got em. My take, the 400 watt mh's were considerably brighter to the eye. The colors are awesome, and the corals look much better. I have been able to turn off my chiller. I did add a t5 along the front for some visibilty. Corals look happy.

LEDs don't have the same wasted light that MH so your eyes don't pick it up as bright IME.